The Evening Star (1996)

The Evening Star (1996), an American comedy drama film by Robert Harling, is adapted from Larry McMurtry’s 1992 novel. After the passing of her daughter Emma, Aurora Greenway remains her strong and determined self. However, things are not going smoothly for the three grandchildren she has raised since Emma’s death. The oldest grandson Tommy is currently serving time in jail on a drug charge. Meanwhile, younger grandson Teddy has a girlfriend and a son, who Aurora does not warm up to. The youngest grandchild, Melanie, still lives with Aurora but is considering moving out. Aurora’s only close companion is her housekeeper Rosie, especially now that the man she has been spending time with – the General – is just a friend and not a romantic interest.

Patsy, a dear friend of Aurora’s late daughter, resides in Houston and now considers herself to be Aurora’s friend. She often offers unsolicited advice to Melanie, much to Aurora’s dismay. Despite catching her boyfriend cheating and attempting suicide with Patsy’s muscle relaxants, Melanie eventually relocates to Los Angeles with the same partner after he promises a fresh start. Meanwhile, Rosie captures the attention of an elderly man named Arthur, who has purchased astronaut Garrett Breedlove’s previous residence next door. After seeing how lonely Aurora is, Rosie slyly arranges for her to see therapist Jerry. In their sessions, Aurora confesses that she is still searching for ‘the love of my life’. To combat her loneliness, she begins documenting her life in scrapbooks.