Terms of Endearment
1983
****
Director: James L. Brooks
Cast: Shirley MacLaine, Jack Nicholson, Debra Winger, Danny DeVito, Jeff Daniels, John Lithgow, Lisa Hart Carroll, Huckleberry Fox, Troy Bishop
This funny and moving drama tells a story of a widow and her daughter. Aurora and Emma are two strong-willed individuals, and their relationship is loving but turbulent. These characters feel raw and authentic, and their story is well observed and heartbreaking. James L. Brooks adapted Larry McMurtry's 1975 novel for his feature debut, and ended up winning an Academy Award for writing, directing, and producing. The film is wonderfully acted, so it comes as no surprise that Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson went home with Oscars of their own.
