Rating: 
Summary: Very interesting characters.
Review: Summary:
The movie is essentially about the relationship between a mother and her daughter but almost comes across as two separate movies because it follows the two women separately for a large part of the movie and then brings them back together at times.Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) is Emma Greenway Horton's mother (Debra Winger). Aurora is over-protective and controlling, but Emma eventually finds her way out of her mother's home when she marries Flap Horton (Jeff Daniels). Emma and Flap move away from Aurora so Flap can pursue his career as a professor. Emma, meanwhile, is a stay at home mother and has three kids. While Flap and Emma are away, Aurora, who has constantly had suitors visiting her, finally decides she is going to develop a relationship with her neighbor, Garrett Breedlove (Jack Nicholson), who is a former astronaut and is now a drink-crazed womanizer. As it turns out, Garrett is just the person Aurora needs to come out of her shell and their relationship turns into something more than is expected at the beginning. While Aurora is finding someone to love, Emma and Flap are doing the same - they just aren't doing it with each other. Both end up having affairs (at least, so we think). After discovering that Flap is becoming involved with a woman, Emma goes to the doctor for a flu shot for her and her daughter and finds out that she has cancer. Emma ends up dying, Flap goes off with the other woman, and the three kids end up with Aurora back in Texas who is continuing to develop her relationship with the slightly calmed Garrett. My Comments:
The movie kept my attention throughout though it isn't particularly exciting (except when Garrett is around). What makes the movie so interesting is the characters - which should make most movies interesting. After watching it with some friends, I asked them what they thought and one of them said that they were all really screwed up people. I couldn't help but think that they probably were no more screwed up in their own way than most other people are. I think we are all strange and weird in our own ways. And, even though the characters in this movie might be a bit more extreme than some people, they are still people just trying to find people that love them. The acting was great throughout - with the exception of some of the child actors and Emma. I think I would have given it a higher rating if I had been more convinced by Debra Winger's character. Perhaps it was the portrayal, or perhaps the portrayal was great and I simply didn't like the character, either way, I think Emma was my least favorite character even though she is the leading character. The worst part about her was her laugh - it drove me nuts. But, for some people that is probably be the best part about the movie. Overall, the movie really is very well done. The story is simple and plausible and entertaining. It leaves you with the feeling that this really could happen, and, more poignantly, really does happen. People die, people cheat on their spouses, and people are not always nice. Life is like that.
Rating:
Summary: An Acting Tour de Force
Review: I've always been fascinated by good acting. It can make a break a film for me. TERMS OF ENDEARMENT is an acting feast, boasting stellar performances from Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger (as unlikely a biological mother/daughter combo as you can imagine, but hey, this is the movies). Jack Nicholoson does his thing as your typical astronaut-next door, and is effective, although it's a bit surprising that he walked off with an Oscar for what was, for him, pretty much a walk-through. John Lithgow and a young Jeff Daniels don't have all that much to do either, although like Nicholson, they are, at least, true to form. But this is one for the ladies, and it belongs to its two female leads. I had a chuckle when I read Amazon's Tom Keough's review posted above. "Lumpy" is not a bad term for this film. It's really another one of those Hollywood adaptations, where you just know the book had to be better, even if you've never read the book. Everything here is just a little too rushed, a little too sketchy. You know time's flying because different child actors keep cropping up, playing the same roles at different ages. There seems to be an inordinate haste to get to the meat of the drama, which is, of course, the illness and death of Debra Winger's character. Overall, a better and more authentic weep-fest than, say, BEACHES or LOVE STORY. Not quite as powerful a family drama as, say, the similarly themed ORDINARY PEOPLE, however. Well worth seeing, if like me, you've somehow missed it all these years. If nothing else, you can learn a great deal about the actor's craft from watching two truly great actresses.
Rating: 
Summary: A truely Genuine movie, a Golden Award to Me
Review: An award winning cast that portrays a mother and daughter's bonding to each other to the death. It's a heart breaker, but shows life as it should be in loyalty between mother and daughter when life is at it's hardest times. Jack Nicholson is funny to put a break in the sadness, but he comes through just as loyal to Shirley McLain when she needs him the most. He appears to be irresponsible to her, but she learns that he is a very genuine person who cares very deeply for her and comes through for her when she needs him the most. It shows how children can get confused when their parents marriage ends and the loss of their mother creates even more confusion. Shirley Mclain and Jack Nicholson are there for them to help to sort it out and love the children dearly when the father does not come through for them. They are there to help to create stability after the death of the mother they loved so much. It is a movie of human relationships and everyone should see this movie to understand the dynamics of how events of life affect adults and children. It is important for people not to take life for granted and to understand what happens to the people who are left behind, Mrs. Symmington
Rating:
Summary: You will laugh and you will cry
Review: As cliched as my title sounds, those sentiments are appropriate to this movie. "Terms of Endearment" won five Oscars back in the early eighties, and this movie will easily show you why. The story spans many years of the life of a mother and daughter. From the beginning you can tell that Shirley MacLaine's character is a bit eccentric, but we never quite understand how. You can tell that she loves her daughter and wants only the best. She does, however, disapprove of her daughter's choice of husband. This is where the chief divide in the relationship lies. The rift does not separate them, but this gap does provide distance, which allows them to continue to grow as characters. Illness will bring them together. I love Debra Winger's work, and I think her character here is well done. My hat is off though to Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson. Both gave a lot of life to their characters and keep me engaged in their life. This is a fine display of acting talent. I would recommend watching this movie. It is at time laugh-out-loud funny, and at others, tenderly sad.
Rating: 
Summary: Miscast?
Review: It's been some years since I saw this movie and even more since I read the book. After reading McMurtry's novel, however, I could never imagine anyone except Elizabeth Taylor portraying Aurora on screen. And no one but Holly Hunter as Aurora's friend and housekeeper, Rosie. The film introduced the astronaut character (Jack Nicholson), probably because he is younger and sexier than his counterpart in the original story, retired General Hector Scott. (General Scott, while not as appealing to the movie-going public, is a better foil for the mature woman Aurora is supposed to be and is also a more original creation than the astronaut.) Still the movie, even with some significant changes, is interesting if only in comparison to the novel. Whatever else can be said about "Terms of Endearment," it is vastly superior to its cloying film sequel, "The Evening Star."
Rating:
Summary: Tears of Endearment
Review: Fresh off the success of his television series TAXI, James L Brooks came to the big screen with his directorial debut: a comic film culminating in a main character succumbing to cancer. That certainly doesn't sound like the most promising comedy material but TERMS OF ENDEARMENT is a success in both comedy and drama. It is a very funny film that ends up a tearjerker without ever sacrificing the humor.
The mother and daughter act of Aurora (Shirley MacLaine) and Emma (Debra Winger) are at the heart of the story. The mother is consistently over-protective and disappointed in her daughter. Emma is one of the most compassionate human beings in the cinematic world. When Emma ups and marries the wrong guy (Jeff Daniels) there relationship becomes one of the phone lines. Even that doesn't squelch Aurora's power of her daughter. But when Aurora finally dates her free-spirited neighbor (Jack Nicholson), she softens as a human being and backs off of. The film is quite clever with its characters and dialogue, often right from McMurtry's novel. Brooks works wonders with a dream cast that was often a nightmare. The audio commentary on the DVD offers a very open discussion of the Diva attitudes on the set. And Brooks exposes some other things as well but the commentary is often self-congratulatory. This is a great film in the style of BROADCAST NEWS and AS GOOD AS IT GETS.
Rating: 
Summary: I Can't Come to Terms with How Bad "Terms of Endearment" Is!
Review: I found this movie long and an extremely boring waste of time. Shirley MacLaine played Aurora, an abnoxious [person] who can't seen to find a boyfriend. Meanwhile, her daughter Emma, played by Debra Winger, is dying of cancer. One hour of this movie is taken up with Aurora's love affair, and the other is spent on Emma's problems with cancer. (just goes to show you that the director thought that Aurora's sexlife is more important than the death of her daughter). I heard so many reviews that this movie was "astounding and breathtaking." The only astounding thing about this movie was how long it took to finish. This movie is a new enductee of my hall of fame for being one of the WORST films of all time. I wish that there was a choice of putting zero stars up for this movie, because, frankly, it was just that bad. I would never wish on my worst enemy to have to watch this ... of a movie.
Rating:
Summary: Touching Movie
Review: TERMS OF ENDEARMENT explores the rocky relationship between a mother and her daughter. While they may drift away, their bond is forever and will always bring them back to each other. This is definately a tearjerker which will make you cry, and tug at your heartstrings. Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger turn in an excellent performance in this touching movie about family, heartbreak, and loss. The movie is a realistic portrayal of family life, and how things don't always run smoothly. Without giving away any of the details, this movie is very touching because its such a realistic portrayal, and it explores the roots between a mother and her child. Overall this is a must see movie, and if you enjoy these types of movies you will love this movie, and its sequel titled THE EVENING STAR.
Rating:
Summary: An oldie but a goodie!!!
Review: This movie was made when I was 4 years old, and I love it! My mom was a huge fan of Debra Winger as I was growing up, so naturally I got to watch alot of her movies! But Terms of Endearment is definately my favorite! It is a wonderfully acted, wonderfully written movie about a mother/daughter relationship...and the ups and downs that relationship endures during relationships with other people. I love this movie! I watch it every time I get the chance. I highly recommend renting or buying this movie to someone who enjoys sappy movies that tug on the heart strings!
Rating: 
Summary: Overly Hyped
Review: I saw this movie at the show when it first came out and I was disappointed, to say the least. I had heard what a tear-jerker it is. Not only did I not cry, I didn't find the characters sympathetic at all. I really can't understand how anyone could find this movie "sad." Most of the characters were obnoxious. Another reviewer said the characters were "real" and that is what makes this a sad movie. I know lots of "real" people in the world, but authenticity doesn't necessarily mean I love them or cry when they die. Far from it. Some people you like and find them sympathetic, some you don't. Something else that may have colored my view of this film is that I had read about the feud between MacLaine and Winger. Shirley was furious that Debra was acting circles around her, and she wanted to win the best actress Oscar or there would be hell to pay. This film is one of those films that is annointed by Hollywood to be a "great film," when in actuality it isn't. Shirley MacLaine's Aurora was the most interesting character, along with Jack Nicholson as the aging, pot-bellied astronaut. Emma was not a sympathetic character. Someone who looks dirty, needs to wash their hair, seems to deliberately want to be a slob, and has the means to bathe and shampoo, is not a sympathetic character to me, whether its a "real" person or not. I have cried my eyes out at sad movies. I walked out dry-eyed at this one.
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