Rating: 
Summary: Larry McMurtry deserves an apology.
Review: It is sad that a wonderful movie like Terms of Endearment has been reduced to a cheap soap opera with the writing of a third grade dropout. Sequels should not be made unless the original author writes them. I read the other reviews and find it sad that some were written by people that wouldn't know a good movie from bad. I am disappointed that Shirley Mclaine played the part, I guess it's all about money. I don't blame Jack Nicholson for agreeing to a small part. Ben Johnson is also much too good for this movie. He is blessed by the fact that he also missed Texasville. Very disappointing and not worth even the low price. One to miss, I wish I had. Sudami
Rating: 
Summary: What a fantastic, beautiful movie!
Review: Once again, the critics have no idea what they're talking about. This movie is so wonderful, it had me laughing, crying and everything in between. It is beautifully written and acted, and you will not be disappointed if you buy this movie!
Rating: 
Summary: not bad for a chick flick.
Review: One of the best films of 1996 that was almost universally vilified by the critics but deserved better. I wont belabour the snopsis of this the sequel to "terms of endearment" as others have already done except to add my own praise for marion ross' portrayal as Rosie the housekeeper. She deserved her oscar nomination that year. MacLaine makes it all look effortless as Aurora Greenway and for those of us who have never heard a texan accent miss Richardson just manages to get away with it. It was also good to see Jack back again albeit in a brief cameo role. Not one of my most memorable films of 1996 but one that deserved better mention. Thats hollywood for ya...
Rating: 
Summary: Not Great, but I Still Couldn't Turn it Off
Review: Shirley MacLaine can take a so-so movie and make it totally watchable.This is proven yet again with this movie. Were the makers of this movie actually expecting an Oscar for their efforts?Puh-LEASE!
Don't get me wrong, this movie is played to death on cable and I have yet to not stop and watch when I do stumble upon it, but to call this a sequel to Terms is ridiculous. This is ABC Movie of the Week quality at best.
Rating: 
Summary: Terms of En-bore-ment
Review: TERMS OF ENDEARMENT had a unique sort of success. With a storyline usually limited to Lifetime Television or the Monday Night Disease of the Week, it rose above that through it's consistent use of great comic dialogue care of writer director James L Brooks (BROADCAST NEWS, AS GOOD AS IT GETS). Now we are given a sequel directed by former screenwriter Robert Harling. Without a sense of comedy, this installment is extremely maudlin. Disease of the Week, here we come.Aurora Greenway (Shirley Maclaine working hard to recapture her vibrant performance) is now struggling with the children of her deceased daughter. One is stuck in poverty, one in prison and the youngest is a rebellious young adult. Although they are most of the story, there is nothing unique or even believable about their plights. One of the weakest and least enrolling characters from TERMS OF ENDEARMENT was Debra Winger's best friend who is now an important character, even though she is still not enrolling or interesting. Like Terms of Endearment, this story revolves around a death, this time of Aurora's maid portrayed by Marion Ross. Even with her strong performance, the loss never deserves much notice. A tear will not be shed. The last portion of the film involves a questionable sexual relationship with a young therapist, played awkwardly by Bill Paxton. In the last portion of the film, the screen sees brief sunlight when Jack Nicholson comfortably revives his character from the prequel. His superstar quality is effervescent but he quickly retreats from the film. The DVD includes a nice widescreen transfer and the pleasant musical score nicely supports the pacing. The DVD also includes a running commentary by the director but the film doesn't seem to warrant it. Like its superior predecessor, this was based on a Larry McMurtry's novel.
Rating:
Summary: Terms of En-bore-ment
Review: TERMS OF ENDEARMENT had a unique sort of success. With a storyline usually limited to Lifetime Television or the Monday Night Disease of the Week, it rose above that through it's consistent use of great comic dialogue care of writer director James L Brooks (BROADCAST NEWS, AS GOOD AS IT GETS). Now we are given a sequel directed by former screenwriter Robert Harling. Without a sense of comedy, this installment is extremely maudlin. Disease of the Week, here we come. Aurora Greenway (Shirley Maclaine working hard to recapture her vibrant performance) is now struggling with the children of her deceased daughter. One is stuck in poverty, one in prison and the youngest is a rebellious young adult. Although they are most of the story, there is nothing unique or even believable about their plights. One of the weakest and least enrolling characters from TERMS OF ENDEARMENT was Debra Winger's best friend who is now an important character, even though she is still not enrolling or interesting. Like Terms of Endearment, this story revolves around a death, this time of Aurora's maid portrayed by Marion Ross. Even with her strong performance, the loss never deserves much notice. A tear will not be shed. The last portion of the film involves a questionable sexual relationship with a young therapist, played awkwardly by Bill Paxton. In the last portion of the film, the screen sees brief sunlight when Jack Nicholson comfortably revives his character from the prequel. His superstar quality is effervescent but he quickly retreats from the film. The DVD includes a nice widescreen transfer and the pleasant musical score nicely supports the pacing. The DVD also includes a running commentary by the director but the film doesn't seem to warrant it. Like its superior predecessor, this was based on a Larry McMurtry's novel.
Rating:
Summary: Better Than TOE
Review: TERMS OF ENDEARMENT was a beautiful, touching movie, it was excellent. However I find THE EVENING STAR to be the better of the two. THE EVENING STAR focuses on the life of Aurora, after her daughter died. Having to deal with her daughter's children, and being mixed up in the lives of her enemy Patsy, as well as her maid and ex-lovers, it proves for interest plotline. The movie is just as compelling as TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, but it brings new elements which explore Aurora's life in a different light. The movie is full of smart comedy, as well as tearjerking scenes which will tug at your heartstrings. The story is written extremely well, and all the actors/actresses turned in an excellent performance. If you've seen TOE you must see this movie, its the perfect ending. If you haven't seen either, I suggest you purchase them. This is yet another excellent movie which you will love and want to watch all over again.
Rating:
Summary: Shirley MacLaine, back as Aurora Greenway...
Review: THE EVENING STAR is the long-awaited sequel to TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, continuing the story of Aurora Greenway and the children of her daughter Emma.
Aurora (Shirley MacLaine) has succeeded in raising Tommy (George Newbern), Teddy (Mackenzie Astin) and Melanie (Juliette Lewis), though she's not very happy with the outcome. Tommy is in jail, Teddy has had a family out of wedlock and Melanie is skipping college and sleeping with a boy that Aurora (to put it mildly) doesn't approve of.
Aurora's lovelife has also taken a nosedive. Garrett (Jack Nicholson) has moved away and the house seems too big and lonely. At the `suggestion' of maid Rosie (Marion Ross) she goes to see a counsellor (Bill Paxton). Trying desperately to keep Emma's family together, Aurora slowly mends the rift between the past and present.
This emotional sequel to TOE is fantastic. Miranda Richardson fills the role of bitchy Patsy (played by Lisa Hart Carroll in the original film) perfectly, and Marion Ross more than fills the shoes of Rosie (played previously by Betty King). Juliette Lewis is lovely as Melanie (and does resemble Debra Winger who played Emma). And no sequel to TERMS OF ENDEARMENT would be complete without Jack Nicholson dropping by!
So lets revisit Aurora as she takes us through the next chapter of the Greenway story...
Rating:
Summary: This Star Shines Bright
Review: THE EVENING STAR is the sequel to the highly popular 1983 film TERMS OF ENDEARMENT. The kids are grown up. The eldest son in jail, the youngest son in a dead end job and fathering an illegitemate son with his girlfriend, and a hell bent daughter. Aurora has to deal with all of this, but her friends such as her maid Rosie, help her out. Rosie decides that Aurora is depressed, and tricks her into seeing a psychiatrist, who Aurora eventually falls for. Then there is Patsy, always integrating herself into Aurora's life, being jealous of her taking care of the kids when they were growing up. This feud is well played throughout the movie, with Patsy trying to upstage Aurora at every chance, and vice versa. They both fall for the same man, who is much younger than Aurora, which only causes more friction in their already tumultuous friendship. Life changes though when her grandson gets out of jail and decides to make a life for himself, and Aurora's granddaughter learns to chase her dreams after life's disapointments. The movie centers around these characters and their interpersonal relationships with each other, dealing with conflicts, death, and whatever card fate hands them. Shirley MacLaine shines once again as Aurora Greenway, and the cast is enriched by Juliette Lewis, Bill Paxton, Marion Ross, Miranda Richardson, and more. Overall, some reviewers don't like it as much as TERMS, but I think this improves on an already great story.
Rating:
Summary: It has its ups and downs, but you gotta watch it anyway
Review: The prequel to this movie, "Terms of Endearment", has been a favorite of mine for many years. I love it, and I was thrilled when they announced a sequel in the makings. I wish I could give this film five stars, but the first hour is touch and go. The acting is superb, but the story line leaves a lot to be desired. I had a hard time believing in the love affair of the older (grandmother!) Mrs. Greenway and her young therapist. And the motivations behind the affair were pretty disgusting. The first hour wasn't all bad, though. The trials and tribulations of the rest of the family and family friends are touching, engaging and realistic. Once we ditch the shrink, the movie really gets good! Again, the acting is superb and the evolution of the Mrs. Greenway and her grandchildren is gripping. Where I was shocked and distanced from the film during the first hour, during the second I was completely engrossed. Thinking back to 'Terms' we know that Mrs. Greenway is pretty wacky, and her grand children had a tough childhood to over come. The movie begins with all of them just as screwed up as you would expect from 'Terms'. Aside from the kinky affair, this movie is about overcoming death with love, albeit tough love in the Aurora Greenway tradition. If you loved "Terms of Endearment", I promise you want to watch the movie. It has its moments that you will want to forget, but it has so many moments that you will remember and love. The movie's ending is not kich or contrived, but unique, and appropriate to this rather nutty family. I've wondered about Emma's family since I first saw "Terms of Endearment" years ago. "The Evening Star" completes her story.
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