Today in Recall the Gold: It’s time for a Terms of Endearment rematch! Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger famously clashed on the set as they portrayed mother and daughter. Winger downplays their conflict now, acknowledging "We were wild," but saying that both she and MacLaine were tough gals who could take care of themselves. For her part, MacLaine recalls she got so upset at one point that she quit the picture. "And I said as I walked off the set, ‘You can take this Oscar I’m notgonna win now, and shove it up your keister, I’m leaving!’" Of course, she returned and did win the Oscar, though Winger remained her fiercest competition throughout the race. (Terms ultimately won five Oscars, including Best Picture.) Seen today, MacLaine’s Aurora looks like one of her typical feisty dames, the type she’s been playing for the past quarter-century or so. Winger seems, to me, to have the trickier role, keeping Emma sympathetic even during her adulterous affair and depicting her demise with poignancy without being maudlin.
Also up that year: Meryl Streep gave a typically polished, accented performance in Silkwood as the title heroine who becomes a reluctant whistleblower at an unsafe nuclear plant. Testament (a movie made for PBS that proved so strong it was released to theaters) starred Jane Alexander in a haunting performance as a suburban mom trying to hold her deteriorating family together in the wake of a nuclear war. (Alas, I couldn’t find any clips of her performance in a film that is only dimly remembered today.) And Educating Rita introduced Julie Walters to moviegoers via an utterly charming performance as a hairdresser who years to learn about literature. (Too bad the Academy seldom rewards comedy, though Walters’ Rita has her share of dramatic moments, too.)
Looking back from today’s perspective, which of these performances doyou think is the best? Vote in our poll, and list your comments below.(For a refresher, watch the clips embedded after the jump, which may contain some NSFW language.) Remember, we’ll be running the Recall the Gold surveys every Tuesdayand Thursday until January, so you may go back at any time and vote inthe other polls (click hereto see them all), reexamining the Oscar races of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25years ago. On Tuesday, Oct. 21, we’ll look at the 1998 Best Supporting Actorcompetition. Watch also for commentary and context throughout EW.com,including on Dave Karger’s new Oscar Watch blog.
Shirley MacLaine in Terms of Endearment
Meryl Streep in Silkwood
Julie Walters in Educating Rita
Debra Winger in Terms of Endearment
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Another year and category that I think went to the correct recipient. I haven’t seen Jane Alexander in “Testament”, but I have seen all the others. My parents used to watch “Educating Rita” every now and then, so by extension so did I, and Walters did a great job in it. So at LEAST 4 of the 5 performances were legit.
Like I said before, this exercise will be interesting to see how much popularity affects voters down the line, something that will be much more evident in other races (1983 Supporting Actress race may be affected by popularity). We will see…
Pretty good year. Walters was charming, Alexander was in top form, and Streep was still able to do a character other than herself. MacLaine arguably deserved it, but I’ve always thought Winger’s to be the stronger of the two Terms performances.
This was one year where I thought all the nominations were well deserved. Jane Alexander was superb in “Testament”…and I still recall the supporting performances of Kevin Costner and Rebecca DeMornay in it. Everyone in this film was just fine and it was a devastating experience, a real heartbreaker. I still enjoy seeing Walters in “Rita”. That said, ole Shirley’s performance was my choice as the bright spot in a movie that I otherwise thought was overwrought and really did not like, The interminable “Terms”. I still can’t believe enough people loved that film that they made a sequel…spare me!
In an ideal world Meryl Streep and Cher would have won best actress and best supporting actress for Silkwood and Shirley Maclaine would have won best actress for Postcards from the Edge. But all things considered, I think this is one of those somewhat rare times when Oscar got it right. It’s a little ridiculous to say Shirley should not have won because she’s played similar roles in the 25 years since Terms. And to watch her as a strong-willed woman who is barely keeping it together is memorizing. Everyone remembers the angry desperation of her demands that the nurses give her daughter medicine, but I remember the birthday party at the beginning of the movie, where Shirley is so fiercely proud and determined. Then she walks outside, slips off her shoes, and her entire body sags under the weight of too many fears and too much pretense. Shirley Maclaine may have played versions of that character in subsequent years, but Terms was the frst and the most amazing.
Oops. I meant mesmerizing, not memorizing, LOL.
This wasn’t as much of a crime as some other Oscar races. Of course, Meryl’s performance in Silkwood is one of her most dazzling — and that’s saying a lot.
I certainly want to see “Testament” now.
I don’t, “dimly remember” Testament. That film haunts me to this day. That scene with the kids re-enacting Pied Piper, and the faces of the adults in the audience, was heart-breaking.
No doubt Shirley deserved it. I also agree with the writer who says she deserved it for “Postcards from the Edge” as well. Loved her in this movie.
Again, reevaluating these things is like knocking someone’s accomplishments. But, I still vote for Maclaine. Terms is one “chick flick” I can barely make it through. But, her time was due and her character was interesting. (I wouldn’t list this as one of the greatest female film characters of all time, though). Winger – come on, its Shirley time, you shoulda dropped down to Supporting (like a good Oscar campaigner would’ve suggested). Meryl – she just won the previous year for “Sophie’s Choice,” so-wait 12 more nominations, okay? Julie – never saw “Educating,” so can’t comment. Jane – saw it once, didn’t stick with me, since I watched it on PBS. (perhaps the big screen would’ve been more effective).
Recalling the Gold on “Terms,” – I don’t see what Jack Nicholson’s big deal was. Sure, he’s a breath of fresh air, but a “former astronaut?” I didn’t buy him. HE should’ve WON Supporting for “Batman.”
Jane Alexander was wonderful in Testament, playing Carol Wetherly, a housewife and mother trying to get her children through the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust. Her performance is full of subtle but indelible moments, like when she finally removes the batteries from her answering machine and erases the last words she will ever hear from her dead husband. Heartbreaking stuff, but it lacks the manipulative attributes of Terms of Endearment and for that reason, I think it was a tougher effort. Her role here does make for an interesting contrast with Winger’s flashier work in Terms: they are both women struggling with their identities as they try to help their families through their inevitable demise. Well worth seeing and definitely Oscar-worthy.
When Shirley MacLaine won the Best Actress Oscar for “Terms of Endearment,” she declared “I deserve this!”
She was 1000 percent correct. Nuff said!
I thought Jane Alexander deserved the Oscar. She is a wonderful actress. She also should have won Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs Kramer.
I would have to honestly say Shirley McClain deserved it and still does.
In some ways, this is more interesting than if they had recalled some of the more questionable Oscars of the past (Sissy Spacek over Mary Tyler Moore… whatever!) I would like to see if Academy members are willing to flip deserving winners for preformers and movies that are far more popular now than when they were nominated. 1983 Best Supporting Actress from last week is a good example as Linda Hunt’s popularity should pale in comparison to Cher, Woodard, and Close (Many people believe she should have earned an Oscar by now).
Jane Alexander over Meryl Streep in KvsK?
When you consider that some of the missing names from the nomination slate that year included Barbra Streisand (Yentl) and Bonnie Bedelia (Heart LIke a Wheel), it is an even greater “Testament” (pun intended) to Jane Alexander’s stellar performance that she made the slate.
I remember leaving the theatre after seeing “Testament” and sobbing uncontrollably in my car over the simple truth of the film and the message of warning it gave us to be careful with our future.
And none of that could have happened without Alexander’s central performance as the dedicated mother who must cope — in a world without answers — with the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust and watch her children and her friends die slow, wretchingly painful deaths.
Yet, Alexander brought dignity, not histrionics to her role. She was a woman doing what she had to do.
Whether cleaning her baby’s bottom of blood and puss or listening to her husband’s voice over and over again on the answering machine, she was sensational.
I’m sure Shirley Maclaine will stand the test of time and win this vote, too, but I’ve always loved Julie Walters in Educating Rita. There was a scene where she was going to quit school and she talked herself back into it by remembering her mom at the pub. It was a powerful monologue, and she performed it perfectly. Just for that scene alone, I wanted her to win the Oscar.
“Testament” dimly remembered??? Then I am old old old. Just the mention of the title brings back vivid and visceral images from this stark and classy film. Alexander solemnly sewing up her child’s body into a canvas bag. William Devane’s ominous answering machine message. And the eerie quiet of an ordinary suburban neighborhood, the silent dramas occurring behind each door.
Correct me if I’m wrong but the husband( Jeff Daniels) commits adultery – not Debra Winger’s character. Just to comment on Gary Susman’s opening.
Now that that’s outta the way: The hospital scene – guts me every time. Shirley MacLaine absolutely gets my vote.
Terms of Endearment is one of my favorite movies of all time, and Shirley Maclaine did a fantastic job, but I think Debra Winger deserved the Oscar. The look she gives Aurora right before she dies always gets me. This alone should have earned her the Oscar. However, MacLaine’s freak out scene in the hospital is usually what people remember. Meryl Streep was awesome in Silkwood, but she had just won for her superior turn in “Sophie’s Choice” so she didn’t really have a chance. Haven’t seen Jane Alexander or Julia Waters so can’t comment on them.
SoG
Jeff Daniels did have an affair but so did Winger with John Lithgow (in the movie)
Debra Winger should have won
I truly loved all five performances,but still to this day Shirley MacLaine’s Aurora Greenway is one of my most favorite characters.Her performance was equally humourous,heartbreaking and exasperating!!!
If Debra had put name in supporting, she would have won.
Debra Winger
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First off, Julie Walters is so young! And gotta love the 80’s music!
Again, I love the comedy and Streep is great but “GIVE HER THE SHOT!!!” You have to go with MacLaine!
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