# Terms of Endearment

> 1983 film directed by James L. Brooks

**Wikidata**: [Q185071](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185071)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terms_of_Endearment)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/terms-of-endearment

## Summary
*Terms of Endearment* is a 1983 American drama film directed by James L. Brooks, renowned for its emotional depth and acclaimed performances. It won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and remains a landmark in romantic drama cinema.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: Premiered on November 23, 1983, with a wider release on December 9, 1983.
- **Director**: James L. Brooks.
- **Production Company**: Paramount Pictures.
- **Country of Origin**: United States.
- **Genre**: Drama film, romantic comedy.
- **Awards**: Won five Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress for Shirley MacLaine, Best Supporting Actor for Jack Nicholson, and Best Adapted Screenplay).
- **Box Office**: Grossed over $100 million domestically.
- **Runtime**: 132 minutes.
- **IMDb Rating**: 7.5/10.
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 82%.
- **Metacritic Score**: 79/100.
- **Sequel**: *The Evening Star* (1996), directed by Robert Harling.
- **Wikidata ID**: Q1678645.
- **Sitelink Count**: 51 Wikipedia language editions.

## FAQs
**What is *Terms of Endearment* about?**
The film explores the complex relationship between Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) and her daughter Emma (Debra Winger), spanning decades of love, conflict, and personal growth. It blends humor and tragedy, culminating in a deeply emotional narrative.

**Who are the main cast members?**
The film stars Shirley MacLaine (Aurora Greenway), Debra Winger (Emma Horton), Jack Nicholson (Garrett Breedlove), Danny DeVito (Vernon Dahlart), and Jeff Daniels (Flap Horton).

**What awards did *Terms of Endearment* win?**
It won five Academy Awards in 1984: Best Picture, Best Director (James L. Brooks), Best Actress (Shirley MacLaine), Best Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

**How was the film received critically?**
Critics praised its blend of comedy and drama, with particular acclaim for the performances of MacLaine and Nicholson. It holds an 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 79/100 on Metacritic.

**Is there a sequel to *Terms of Endearment*?**
Yes, *The Evening Star* (1996) serves as a sequel, focusing on Aurora Greenway’s later life. However, it was not as well-received as the original.

## Why It Matters
*Terms of Endearment* is a defining film of the 1980s, showcasing the power of emotional storytelling in cinema. Its exploration of mother-daughter relationships, aging, and love resonates universally, making it a cultural touchstone. The film’s success cemented James L. Brooks’ reputation as a masterful director and highlighted the depth of its cast, particularly Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson. Its Academy Awards sweep underscored its critical and commercial impact, influencing subsequent generations of dramatic films.

## Notable For
- **Academy Award Sweep**: One of only a few films to win the "Big Five" Oscars (Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Screenplay).
- **Cultural Impact**: A benchmark for blending comedy and tragedy in drama films.
- **Iconic Performances**: Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson delivered career-defining roles.
- **Box Office Success**: One of the highest-grossing films of 1983.
- **Legacy**: Inspired discussions on family dynamics and emotional resilience in cinema.

## Body

### Overview and Production
*Terms of Endearment* is a 1983 American drama film directed by James L. Brooks, based on Larry McMurtry’s 1975 novel of the same name. The film follows the tumultuous relationship between Aurora Greenway (MacLaine), a domineering widow, and her daughter Emma (Winger), as they navigate love, marriage, and illness over three decades. The narrative balances humor and heartbreak, culminating in a poignant exploration of loss and acceptance.

### Cast and Characters
- **Shirley MacLaine** as Aurora Greenway: A strong-willed mother grappling with her daughter’s independence and her own loneliness.
- **Debra Winger** as Emma Horton: Aurora’s rebellious daughter, whose life choices strain their relationship.
- **Jack Nicholson** as Garrett Breedlove: A retired astronaut and Aurora’s love interest, adding levity and depth.
- **Danny DeVito** as Vernon Dahlart: Emma’s supportive friend and eventual husband.
- **Jeff Daniels** as Flap Horton: Emma’s unfaithful husband, whose infidelity drives key plot points.

### Awards and Recognition
The film won five Academy Awards in 1984:
- **Best Picture**
- **Best Director** (James L. Brooks)
- **Best Actress** (Shirley MacLaine)
- **Best Supporting Actor** (Jack Nicholson)
- **Best Adapted Screenplay** (James L. Brooks)

It also received nominations for Best Supporting Actress (Debra Winger) and Best Film Editing. The National Board of Review named it one of the Top Ten Films of 1983.

### Critical and Commercial Reception
- **IMDb**: 7.5/10
- **Rotten Tomatoes**: 82% (based on 45 reviews)
- **Metacritic**: 79/100
- **Box Office**: Grossed over $100 million domestically, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 1983.

### Sequel and Legacy
*The Evening Star* (1996), directed by Robert Harling, serves as a sequel, focusing on Aurora’s later life. While it retained MacLaine and Nicholson, it lacked the original’s critical acclaim.

### Cultural and Thematic Impact
The film’s portrayal of mother-daughter relationships, aging, and emotional resilience has made it a reference point in discussions about family dynamics in cinema. Its blend of humor and tragedy set a template for later dramatic films.

### Technical Details
- **Runtime**: 132 minutes
- **Production Company**: Paramount Pictures
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Genre**: Drama, romantic comedy
- **Wikidata ID**: Q1678645
- **Sitelink Count**: 51 Wikipedia language editions

### Related Entities
- **Paramount Pictures**: The film’s production studio, a major player in Hollywood since 1912.
- **United States**: The film’s country of origin, reflecting its cultural context.
- **Academy Awards**: The film’s awards underscore its significance in cinematic history.
- **Romantic Comedy/Drama Film**: Genres that define its narrative style.

### Wikimedia and Digital Presence
- **Wikipedia Title**: "Terms of Endearment"
- **Commons Category**: "Terms of Endearment"
- **Wikidata SPARQL Query**: `?item wdt:P31/wdt:P279* wd:Q11424` (to find all films in Wikidata)

### Additional Identifiers
- **IMDb ID**: tt0086425
- **Freebase ID**: /m/0sxfd
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: no98019036
- **Open Library ID**: 164577021
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: kg:/m/0sxfd

### Conclusion
*Terms of Endearment* remains a seminal work in American cinema, celebrated for its emotional depth, stellar performances, and enduring themes. Its legacy continues to influence filmmakers and audiences alike.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=33966.html)
2. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film560543.html)
3. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086425/)
4. [Source](http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/terms-endearment-1970-1)
5. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/czule-slowka-1983)
6. [Source](https://filmow.com/lacos-de-ternura-t2810/)
7. [Source](http://www.interfilmes.com/filme_13725_Lacos.de.Ternura-(Terms.of.Endearment).html)
8. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/terms-of-endearment)
9. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086425/fullcredits)
10. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
11. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1984)
12. The Movie Database
13. Terms of Endearment. Rotten Tomatoes
14. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086425/releaseinfo)
15. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086425/releaseinfo/)
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086425/parentalguide/#certificates)
18. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086425/technical/)
19. Kinopoisk
20. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/terms-of-endearment/)
21. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
22. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/58243)
23. Cineplex
24. Online-Filmdatenbank
25. Bechdel Test Movie List
26. mymovies.it
27. [Source](https://imdaonline.imda.gov.sg/classification/Search/Film/SearchDetail.aspx?sType=Feature&sRowID=AAAgZnAAAAAACUEAAT)
28. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/08CF-5966-C9CB-7770-27C2-X)
29. Danish Film Database
30. Kanopy
31. Trakt.tv
32. FilmVandaag.nl