KINORAFIELD GUIDE TO FILM
1983 · 132 min · PG

Terms of Endearment

Directed by James L. Brooks · Drama, Comedy

Terms of Endearment (1983) is a Drama film, directed by James L. Brooks set in Houston, Iowa, and Nebraska during the 1970s–1980s. It runs 132 minutes and is rated PG.

Themes of family & loyalty, mortality & aging, and love & longing play out through episodic chapters.

Composer
Michael Gore
Cinematography
Andrzej Bartkowiak
Cast
Shirley MacLaineDebra WingerJack NicholsonDanny DeVitoJeff DanielsJohn LithgowLisa Hart CarrollBetty King

The world of this film

Setting

Where
HoustonIowaNebraska
Setting
Suburban
When
1970s1980s

Premise & themes

Themes
Family & LoyaltyMortality & AgingLove & Longing
Structure
Episodic Chapters
Tone
MelancholicComedic

Shape

Protagonist
Two HanderFemale Led
Pacing
Measured
Based on
Pure Fiction

More like this

  • 1995

    Apollo 13

    Houston · Space — 1970s
    Off Worlddir. Ron Howard
  • 2009

    Crazy Heart

    New Mexico · Houston — 2000s
    Ruraldir. Scott Cooper
  • 2018

    First Man

    Houston · Space — 1960s
    Suburban · Off Worlddir. Damien Chazelle
  • 1983

    Local Hero

    Scotland · Houston — 1980s
    Coastal Sea · Ruraldir. Bill Forsyth
  • 1984

    Paris, Texas

    Los Angeles · Houston — 1980s
    Desert · Urbandir. Wim Wenders
  • 1998

    Rushmore

    Houston — 1990s
    Urbandir. Wes Anderson