Terms of Endearment (1983)

Terms of Endearment (1983) is a family tragicomedy film directed, written, and produced by James L. Brooks. It is based on Larry McMurtry’s 1975 novel of the same name. The story revolves around Aurora Greenway, a widow who lives in River Oaks, Houston. Despite having several suitors, she chooses to focus on her close relationship with her daughter Emma. Emma, who is eager to break free from her mother’s controlling nature, defies her objections and marries Flap Horton – a young college professor. However, their constant arguments and conflicting personalities create strain in their marriage. Despite this, Emma and Aurora remain close and stay connected through phone calls. As Emma and Flap move to Iowa for his career as an English professor, they face financial struggles.

To make matters worse, their marriage begins to fall apart over the next few years as Emma gives birth to three children. When she can’t afford groceries one day and meets Sam Burns – a kind stranger who pays for them – they strike up a friendship that quickly turns into an affair due to Sam’s wife refusing intimacy and Emma suspecting Flap of infidelity. At the same time, Aurora overcomes her repressed state and begins a passionate love affair with her neighbor, Garrett Breedlove, who happens to be a retired astronaut. Emma witnesses Flap flirting with one of his students and hastily drives back to Texas. However, things take a turn when Garrett starts to feel hesitant about their relationship and calls it off.