Normally I wouldn't associate myself with a chick-flick, plus I heard this was a real tearjerker, and I'm not one to cry at movies (except "I Am Sam") but it won Best Picture so I had to see it. I was pleasently surprised, the acting was absolutely fantastic, and all together it was fairly good...and I filled up.
Terms of Endearment
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Glossy, funny, and packs a real emotional wallop.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13–15
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Terms of Endearment was written by Randy White
Parents need to know that this movie delivers quite an emotional wallop. Also, there's quite a lot of sexual activity in this movie, although nothing is shown. Characters talk about sex often; one frank exchange concerns the noises people make during love-making. The movie also features a strong, if contentious, mother-daughter relationship.
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More on Terms of Endearment
What’s the Story?
In order to escape her overbearing mother Aurora (Shirley MacLaine), Emma (Debra Winger) marries a man of questionable merit. But Mamma cannot let go, even when Emma's family relocates for work. Things are tough personally and financially for Emma in her new community, and three kids later, she ends up having an affair with a dowdy local bank manager. Left alone at home, lonely Aurora eventually agrees to date next-door- neighbor Joe (Jack Nicholson), an obnoxious ex-astronaut who seemingly has all the wrong stuff. Mother and daughter continue to share every detail of their lives, including Emma's marital troubles and Aurora's newly awakened interest in sex. Things take a drastic turn for the worse when Emma is diagnosed with cancer. The end is slow and painful for Emma and her family.
Is It Any Good?
This engaging movie cleaned up at the Academy Awards, winning Best Picture and Best Director Oscars for James L. Brooks, and a Best Actress nod for Shirley MacLaine. And it's easy to see why. This is the kind of well-made movie that Hollywood used to make on a regular basis. It's glossy, funny, and packs a real emotional wallop in its tragic conclusion.
Skilled performances make an absorbing story even more appealing. MacLaine and Deborah Winger provide most of the sparks, but they're well-supported by an exuberant Jack Nicholson and a superb cast of extras. The movie is populated with rich and genuinely funny supporting characters, including Jeff Daniels. Aurora is an embarrassment of neurotic riches, and MacLaine plays moments of embarrassment to the hilt. While a bit risqué for preteens, the rest of the family will laugh and weep through this charming movie.
Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures, Director: James Brooks
Run time: 132 minutes
Theatrical release: 11/20/1983, DVD release: 4/10/2001
MPAA Rating: PG
Run time: 132 minutes
Theatrical release: 11/20/1983, DVD release: 4/10/2001
MPAA Rating: PG
Our Members Say
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Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Chick flick to the max
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Bring A Box of Kleenex
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