Terms of Endearment covers three decades in the lives of widow Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) and her daughter Emma (Debra Winger). Fiercely protected by Aurora throughout childhood, Emma runs into resistance from her mother when she marries wishy-washy college teacher Flap (Jeff Daniels). Aurora is even more put out at the prospect of being a grandmother, though she grows a lot fonder of her three grandkids than she does of her son-in-law. Flap proves that Aurora's instincts were on target when he enters into an affair with a student (Kate Charleson). Meanwhile, Emma finds romantic consolation with an unhappily married banker (played by John Lithgow, who registers well in a rare "nice guy" performance). As for Aurora, she is ardently pursued by her next-door neighbor, boisterous astronaut Garrett Breedlove (Jack Nicholson). After 75 minutes or so of pursuing an episodic, semi-comic plotline, the film abruptly shifts moods when Emma discovers that she has terminal cancer.

Debra Winger, Shirley MacLaine, Jack Nicholson, Jeff Daniels, John Lithgow , Huckleberry Fox , Troy Bishop , Danny DeVito , Lisa Hart Carroll , Betty King.

Directed by James L. Brooks.

Nominated for Whooping/Jaw Dropping 11 Oscars including Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Leading Actress Shirley MacLaine, Leading Actress Debra Winger, Supporting Actor Jack Nicholson, Supporting Actor John Lithgow, Original Score, Editing, Art Direction and Sound. it won 5 Oscars for Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson. one of the most deserving Oscar for a movie other people don't find much deserving.

i just finished watching this lovely comedy Drama. the last parts of the movie were quite difficult to watch for me since i was crying alot. yes i did, again. this movie can make a guy's heart melt like a butter. superb drama with a great balance and understanding between comedy and drama. at the end you feel and get attached to the quirky and unlikable characters. this movie has such a beauty and a classic tearjerker feel to it. you will just love this movie so much. feel for it and at the end really a memorable movie.

best directorial venture of Brooks it is, i haven't seen Broadcast news though. alongwith screenplay which maybe one of the best dramatic screenplay to win an Oscar. i mean really well written and quite likeable. good story and nice pace to it. art direction was nice. editing was done well and score of this movie was just outstanding.

talking about the performances, Shirley MacLaine's best performance till date, just superb work by her. every bit of scene, every bit of emotions she portrayed, such a diverse and colorful performance. just an outstanding and quite appreciable work. great looking and quite excellent. Debra Winger as her daughter was great. her performance was great too. outstanding. Jack Nicholson was excellent too, for a Supporting performance, he did quite well. though i don't understand why the hell was John Lithgow nominated i even don't remember him in the movie and he wasn't good. outstanding performances by the cast just so brilliant.

this is a story of a mother and daughter relationship, the have this bitter sweet, love hate kind of relationship. this movie is shown at the span of 3 decades from her birth to her marriage and then her death.

one of the best movies ever and seriously a great heartaching and heartbreaking drama. i cried like a girl to it. many brilliant scenes in this movie, some of them will make you laugh and other will make you cry. extremely emotional movie. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.