Picture 56: Terms of Endearment (1983)

It’s 1983 and time for the “original chick flick”. Starring Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, Jeff Daniels and Jack Nicholson, Terms of Endearment beat Scarface and Star Wars VI: The Return of the Jedi to the biggest prize in film. Greatness is surely expected but can this American tragicomedy deliver?

This year, we visit suburban Houston and encounter the long-widowed Aurora Greenway (Shirely MacLaine). She has a close yet tumultuous relationship with her daughter Emma (Debra Winger). Aurora, armed with a martini glass and a raised eyebrow, fends off several suitors in Houston including oil mogul Vernon Dalhart (Danny DeVito) and retired astronaut Garrett (Jack Nicholson). Meanwhile, Emma, the exuberant and youthful heart of the film, marries the aptly named and green college professor Flap (Jeff Daniels) much to her mother’s disapproval.

Through the torment of the following 30 years, relationships, marriages and lives are created, unravelled and refashioned. Few films depict the trials of long-term relationships and human existence so well. Winger gives an excellent performance despite allegedly battling addiction issues during filming. MacLaine and Nicholson sparkle with a healthy touch of improvisation. The latter seemingly managed to deliver his Oscar-winning performance despite only being fully dressed for short, blissful periods. John Lithgow also surfaces as the present day draws ever closer.

Endearment is well-scripted, well-acted and a decent 2 hours’ entertainment. It movingly highlights the tragedy that can juxtapose living fully. An intriguing picture but not quite the best of the Best.  

Rating: 8/10

Oscar Best Picture Rankings:

1. The Godfather (1972)

2. Casablanca (1943)

3. The Apartment (1960)

4. Rebecca (1940)

5. The Godfather: Part II (1974)

6. The Sound of Music (1965)

7. Ordinary People (1980)

8. The Deer Hunter (1978)

9. A Man for All Seasons (1966)

10. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

11. Ben-Hur (1959)

12. Lost Weekend (1945)

13. Gandhi (1982)

14. Rocky (1976)

15. Annie Hall (1977)

16. All About Eve (1950)

17. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

18. Hamlet (1948)

19. How Green Was My Valley (1941)

20. Gone With the Wind (1939)

21. West Side Story (1961)

22. Mrs. Miniver (1942)

23. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

24. Wings (1928)

25. Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

26. You can’t take it with you (1938)

27. Patton (1970)

28. Terms of Endearment (1983)

29. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

30. On the Waterfront (1954)

31. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

32. Midnight Cowboy (1969)

33. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

34. Marty (1955)

35. Oliver! (1968)

36. Cimarron (1931)

37. Grand Hotel (1932)

38. The French Connection (1971)

39. An American in Paris (1951)

40. From Here to Eternity (1953)

41. It Happened One Night (1934)

42. My Fair Lady (1964)

43. Gentleman’s Agreement (1947)

44. Cavalcade (1933)

45. The Sting (1973)

46. The Life of Emile Zola (1937)

47. Going My Way (1944)

48. The Great Ziegfeld (1936)

49. Chariots of Fire (1981)

50. All the King’s Men (1949)

51. In the Heat of the Night (1967)

52. Gigi (1958)

53. Around the World in 80 Days (1956)

54. The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)

55. The Broadway Melody (1929)

56. Tom Jones (1963)

Previous or current ranking leaders are in bold.

With credit and thanks to the patrons of the Best Picture Film Club:

Dr Sophie Bloomfield – Fashion Correspondent

Dr Caspar Briault – Head of Cynicism

Dr Conrad Charlton

Dr Kate Diomede

Dr Fionnuala Durrant

Dr Josh Fisher

Dr Joseph Gallaher – CEO and Founder

Dr Joseph Hamilton

Dr Adam Holland

Dr Sid Mohan - Divisional Lead for the 1980s

Dr Hannah Morrison

Dr Meera Radia