Terms of Endearment

Terms of Endearment, motion picture about the relationship between a mother and her daughter, based on the novel by Larry McMurtry. Released in 1983, this film won five Academy Awards, including one for Best Picture. Widow Aurora Greenway (played by Shirley MacLaine) meddles in her daughter Emma’s (Debra Winger) life and smothers her with exaggerated affection. Emma grows up to marry philandering college professor Flap Horton and has three children of her own, while Aurora grows a gigantic garden in her yard and talks to Garrett Breedlove (Jack Nicholson), the lewd astronaut next door. Though Greenway already has a suitor (Danny DeVito), she and the very different Breedlove begin a relationship.

Director

• James L. Brooks

Cast

• Debra Winger (Emma Horton)
• Shirley MacLaine (Aurora Greenway)
• Jack Nicholson (Garrett Breedlove)
• Danny DeVito (Vernon Dahlart)
• Jeff Daniels (Flap Horton)
• John Lithgow (Sam Burns)
• Betty King (Rosie)
• Lisa Hart Carroll (Patsy Clark)
• Huckleberry Fox (Toddy)
• Megan Morris (Melanie)
• Troy Bishop (Tommy Horton)
• Shane Serwin (Young Tommy Horton)
• Jennifer Josey (Young Emma Greenway)
• Tara Yeakey (Baby Melanie)
• Norman Bennett (Edward Johnson)
• Kate Charleson (Janice)
• Tom Wees (Dr. Budge)
• Paul Menzel (Dr. Maise)
• F. William Parker (Doctor)
• Amanda Watkins (Meg)
• Buddy Gilbert (Dr. Ratcher)
• David Wohl (Phil)
• Shelley K. Kielsen (Nurse)
• Betty Croissant (Nurse)
• Charles Beall (Rudyard's employer)
• Lelise Folse (Dors)
• Sharisse Baker (Lee Anne)
• Judith A. Dickerson (Checkout girl)
• Devon O'Brien (Lizbeth)
• Dana Vance (Victoria)
• Alexandra O'Karma (Jane)
• Nancy Mette (Woman at party)
• Holly Beth Holmberg (T. J.)
• Lear Levin (Jack Stern)
• A. Brooks (Rudyard's voice)
• Lanier Whilden (Patsy's mother)
• Helen Stauffer (Flap's secretary)
• Barbara Balik (Woman)
• Michelle Watkins (Woman)
• John C. Conger (Moving man)
• Sandra Newkirk (Mrs. Johnson)
• Elaine McGown (Herself)
• Mary Kay Place (Voice of Doris)

Awards

• Academy Award for Best Picture (1983): James L. Brooks—Producer
• Academy Award for Best Actress (1983): Shirley MacLaine
• Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (1983): Jack Nicholson
• Academy Award for Best Director (1983): James L. Brooks
• Academy Award for Best Writing—Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (1983): James L. Brooks
• Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures (1983): James L. Brooks
• Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture—Drama (1983)
• Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (1983): Jack Nicholson
• Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture—Drama (1983): Shirley MacLaine
• Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay—Motion Picture (1983): James L. Brooks

Trivia

• This film marks the motion-picture directorial debut of James L. Brooks. Previously, Brooks was known for producing for television, particularly “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (1970-1977) and “Taxi” (1978-1983).

Quotes

• Greenway: “You wouldn’t want me to be silent about something that’s for your own good, even if it might hurt a little. Would you?”
• Horton: “Yes, Mom, I certainly would.”