Terms of Endearment (1983)
(dir. James L. Brooks)
Revisited with Classic Cinemas
By: Tarek Fayoumi
Terms of Endearment, Love and Forgiveness is on the Table:
It has been forty-three years since Terms of Endearment became an instant success at the box office. It is a gem that became a hidden blockbuster. It was just behind Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in total box office earnings. It dominated Flashdance, Trading Places, and Staying Alive, three of the most memorable films of the year. While it was perceived as a comedy by many, deep down Terms of Endearment found its audience by its direction to be a humanistic drama from the mind of writer and director James L. Brooks (Broadcast News, Ella I’ll Do Anything). The main character is Aurora Greenway and she is played by Shirley MacLaine (The Trouble with Harry, The Apartment). Aurora is a widowed mother to her daughter Emma Horton, played by Debra Winger (Cannery Row, An Office and a Gentleman). Both are trying to find connection in their lives, but getting hurt is what Aurora cannot stand to see happen for her daughter Emma. Despite the different views, the realism of emotions brings out surreal empathy in Terms of Endearment.
The Relationships still have Room for Love:
The main conflict is with Emma trying to navigate her life of happiness with her husband Flap Horton. Flap is played by Jeff Daniels (Ragtime, An Invasion of Privacy). The moving parts of feelings of love and hurt spiral between Emma and Aurora. That is because Aurora always questions Flap. Her faith in him is lacking. This is because of her sacrificing for his career and also dealing with his dishonesty. At the same time Aurora is trying to pursue a love interest with a man named Garrett Breedlove. Garrett is played by Jack Nicholson (Easy Rider, Chinatown). While Emma is sacrificing for Flap, she continues to suffer. As he thrives with his education profession and remains unfaithful, her health deteriorates. The theme of love and appreciation is not easy, but it also reminds its viewers that many can still love those who have done wrong.
Worth the time?
I was fortunate enough to see this at the Critic’s Classics Series at Classic Cinemas Elk Grove in Elk Grove Village. It is a series where a classic movie is screened with an introduction of other classic titles coming around, and after is a post-show discussion. It is run by the Chicago Film Critics Association. The discussion included Erik Childress and Morgan Gire. Erik is a critic who runs coverage on many platforms including the Movie Madness Podcast, Rotten Tomatoes, Business First AM, and the Friendship Dilemma Podcast. Morgan is the daughter of long-time film critic Dann Gire (who wrote for the Daily Herald). She is the co-host of The Friendship Dilemma podcast with Erik. I was fascinated by their discussions talking about the casting and how the film found its unexpected success in the year 1983. Erik, Morgan ,alongside other CFCA critics run discussions on select Wednesdays every month with an amazing line-up at the Classic Cinemas Elk Grove in Elk Grove Village. For more information on upcoming classics with Critic’s Classics Series, visit the website at the link below.