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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!bbncca!lcliffor
From: lcliffor@bbncca.ARPA (Laura Frank Clifford)
Newsgroups: net.movies
Subject: Terms of Endearment
Message-ID: <371@bbncca.ARPA>
Date: Mon, 5-Dec-83 10:29:24 EST
Article-I.D.: bbncca.371
Posted: Mon Dec  5 10:29:24 1983
Date-Received: Tue, 6-Dec-83 23:27:37 EST
Organization: Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, Ma.
Lines: 21

Here come all the big Christmas blockbusters --

"Terms of Endearment" is a very funny, touching film which is basically
about the relationship between a mother (Shirley MacLaine) and
daughter (Deborah Winger).  Aurora, the mother, is a crusty character
who has a hard time dealing with affection.  Emma, the daughter, is
a light-hearted nutty type who insists on marrying a man her mother
loathes.  Throughout the years Emma embraces life without much caution.
She doesn't always land on her feet.  Aurora hides from life.  She lives
vicariously through her daughter (while always criticizing, of course) 
by gossiping with her long-distance.

Eventually Aurora learns from her daughter and gradually her character
blossoms.  The transition is often painful.

I think this is the performance of Shirley MacLaine's career.  She should
be a very strong contender for the Oscar for this role.  The whole cast
is good, especially Winger (even if she is a little schticky at times),
Jack Nicholson, and John Lithgow in a small supporting role.  The kids
are very believable.  The script is terrific.  I cared about these people,
and thought all their reactions were right on the mark.