Movie Review: Terms of Endearment

Six months after joining the graduate program at UC, Davis I have the time to watch movies. I have seen quite a few in the last two weeks of which 'Terms of Endearment' gets top honours.

GENERAL OPINION: Quite inappropriate for a guy to write a good review, I get a feeling many think this way. It is primarily is a 'girlie' movie. Mother-daughter combo serving 'masala' laden problems one after the other.

The opening scene of the movie sort of gives away what the entire movie is about. That one scene sets up the character of Shirley McClaine for the rest of the film. The third scene sets up Debra Winger's character. This happens in less 200 seconds, which should speak of the format of the movie which I felt was unusual. Most scenes are very very short, lasting no more than a few minutes at most. However, they are very effective in eliminating the need to explicitly mention the passage of time. Probably the only problem is that the characters don't seem to age.

Although Bollywood fans might see the end coming they should also notice the difference in treatment. I point this out but won't elaborate.

Finally, a movie built around very good performances with a reasonable storyline and good direction.

PERFORMANCES: 1. She won my heart in 'The Trouble with Harry' and again did it in in 'The Apartment'. This is McClaine's film. Her character is fantastic making her performance all the more enjoyable. Watch out for this 'fun-fucking-tastic' performance.
2. Debra Winger plays her part.
3. What can I say of Nicholson? His character is similar to what we've seen in 'Something's Gotta Give'. He is thoroughly enjoyable. Watch him take McClaine away from all the men flocking her.
4. I liked Jeff Daniels' and John Lithgow's efforts as the losers. One of those movies where the whole cast acts well.

MEMORABLE SCENES: 1. McClaine crying on Jeff Daniels' shoulder in the hospital.
2. Jack Nicholson speaking to Winger's eldest son at the funeral.

MEMORABLE DIALOGUES: 1. McClaine to Nicholson,"Go to your house and turn them on."
2. McClaine to Jeff Daniels, "I thought it'd be a relief when she finally went."

RATING: 4/5