Review of Terms of Endearment (1983) by Ben F — 01 Mar 2011

See, this was when Romance films used to have great substance. If you take a look at "Terms of Endearment", and compare it so some chick flick from the last decade, you will see that there seems to be a gerastic difference in character development. No seriously, excluding a few films from recent times, pick any other movie you want and compare it to this one, and tell me that it's a better film. It simply can't be done. Not only is it's story great, but the performances by everyone are great. And that's why its so effective.

So at the start of the film, it is revealed to the audience that Debra Winger and Shirley MacLaine don't exactly have a good mother-daughter relationship. Winger is getting married, and her mother doesn't approve. She's an independent girl and sets out to take life as it's thrown at her. Simultaneously, the mother, who's husband is long dead, finds some new love of her own. She lives next door to Jack Nicholson, and they both, over time, fall for one another. Now this is why the movie is so good. James Brooks doesn't pay too much attention to one specific character. He evens it out perfectly between the mother and the daughter so we are able to see them both grow as the movie progresses. It might not seem apparent to you, but once you finish the film, you might know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, the performances by everyone, like I said, are great. Debra Winger, Shirley MacLaine, Jack Nicholson, Jeff Daniels, Danny DeVito, and John Lithgow are all awesome. Everyone does what they are supposed to do, and there are no signs of struggle. Tight on this end.

As the movie narrows down further and further to it's close, you'll find yourself tearing up at what's happening, even if you thought that you wouldn't. Hey I'll admit it...it was touching man.

Anyway like I said, the character development was great. Nicholson's performances one him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, and it was obvious why. He was great. This movie is great.

Yeah...like I said it's great. Every component is executed well. The movie has a great feel to it, and it's touching without a doubt. I never saw the sequel, and I heard it wasn't that good, but this movie was a classic, and it still remains to this day, a classic. I highly recommend "Terms of Endearment.".