 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Terms of Endearment
- Review Date: September 6, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 1983
Common Sense Media says
Glossy, funny, and packs a real emotional wallop.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
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.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about other sad movies. What is a tear-jerker? When is a movie considered to be one and when is it a moving story?
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Kid, 12 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Bring A Box of Kleenex
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Teen, 14 years old
November 5, 2011
AGE
Very mature for a PG rating. Why did it win Best Picture?
My rating: PG-13 for brief sexual references, some drug use and strong language.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 13 years old
August 2, 2009
AGE
Chick flick to the max
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.
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| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | James L. Brooks |
| Cast: | Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson, Shirley MacLaine |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 132 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 20, 1983 |
| DVD release date: | April 10, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
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