Take a moment to contemplate just how improbable a movie like Terms of Endearment would be in 2008. After this slice-of-life drama — following a strong-willed mother (Shirley MacLaine) and her equally strong-willed daughter (Debra Winger) through many years of their lives — premiered on Nov. 23, 1983, it shot to the top of the box office, becoming the second-highest-grossing movie of the year, behind only Return of the Jedi. Then it snagged 11 Oscar nominations and won Best Picture (as well as Best Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor, Actress, andDirector). Mind you, this was an adult drama, about relationships, from the female leads’ point-of-view. They really just don’t make ‘em like this anymore: A human-scaled, contemporary drama about real people living quietly dramatic lives. If it had been released this year, it might’ve been seen as a Sundance find that gets a minor platform release, or, even worse, it could’ve been dismissed out of hand as just a treacly chick flick. It certainly wouldn’t have been expected to become a commercial and awards-season juggernaut.
So should Terms of Endearment win 1983’s Best Picture today? Or is one of the other nominees — The Big Chill, The Dresser, The Right Stuff or Tender Mercies — more deserving of Oscar’s top prize? That’s what we’ve been asking the entertainment industry in our Recall the Gold survey of all the major Oscars from 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years ago, and now, PopWatchers, we’re asking you to share your voice.
Back in 1983, The Right Stuff was probably the film with the best chance of stealing Terms of Endearment’s crown. Focusing on the birth of America’s space program, it was the kind of sweeping epic the Academy typically loves loading up with Oscars. And, indeed, it did have eight nominations to its name — just not one for director Philip Kaufman, and a movie almost never wins Best Picture if its director isn’t also a nominee. Tender Mercies might have also had a good shot, but most of the heat for that film was focused on star Robert Duvall for his finely honed, and ultimately Oscar-winning, performance as a down-and-out country singer. (We’ll get to that category, actually, later this week.) It’s telling that barely anyone remembers The Dresser, a backstage portrait of an overbearing Shakespearean actor (Albert Finney) and his "dresser," aka personal assistant, played by Tom Courtenay — in fact, we couldn’t find any clips from the film online. And while The Big Chill certainly has stood the test of time as a touchstone film about a group of Baby Boomers coming together after a friend commits suicide, it only had two other nominations that year (neither for director Lawrence Kasdan), indicating shallow support from Academy voters.
So, PopWatchers, are you still endeared to Terms of Endearment? Or is another film a better Best Picture? Vote in our poll below; if you need a reminder of each film, check out clips after the jump. While you’re at it, if you haven’t already, vote in all the other polls from our ongoing walk down Oscar’s memory lane. Tomorrow, we’ll take a look at the 1998 Best Director race, and then wrap up the Recall the Gold initiative with additional polls on Dec. 24, 25, 29, 30, and 31, and Jan. 1; also, check out coverage of this year’s awards contenders in Dave Karger’s Oscar Watch blog.
The Big Chill
The Right Stuff
Tender Mercies
Terms of Endearment
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Terms of Endearment stands the test of time. It is still as emotionally powerful today as it was 25 years ago. Shirley MacLaine’s magnificant performance is tender, funny and wretching. I love Terms of Endearment it holds a special place in my heart.
Terms of Endearment was THE best movie of that year…maybe ever. It touches the heart on so many levels. It deserved every award it got. The actor was superior by all.
I have yet to see any of these movies in full… ive never even heard of the dresser!
The Dresser was a boring drama with Albert Finney about a man who worked as costume preparer for a stage actor.
The Big Chill was fun, but The Right Stuff was Oscar worthy.
I JUST watched this movie, for the FIRST time, last night!! What a tear-jerker! Such a great movie. I think my favorite “giggle” moment was Shirley MacLaine running around the nurse’s station screaming, “GIVE MY DAUGHTER THE SHOT!! IT’S TEN O’CLOCK!!” Hehe – great movie!!
TERMS OF ENDEARMENT would definitely not do well under a major studio today. Most CGI-loving moviegoers today are too damn stupid to sit still and appreciate a contemporary adult drama.
I graduated from Michign in 1983, so a movie about fellow alumni, from a previous era, really struck a chord with me. It is my favorite movie from that year, so if it was not critically the best, it is still my pick for the 1983 Oscar
Terms of Endearment, hands down. I have watched that movie over and over again, the storyline is so heartfelt, how could you not love it? Just the right mix of humor and sadness. Jack Nicholson was hilarious, as was McClaine. Debra Winger was excellent. The Right Stuff was good also, but I still feel that Endearment is the best. Definitely a classic.
Terms of Endearment is one of my all-time favorite movies. It hands down still deserves all the Oscars it won – wonderful story and terrific acting (also one of the few movies to take place in Texas that doesn’t portray all of us as hillbillies or cowboys). Sadly, mainstream Hollywood has stopped making movies like this – adult dramas with great acting, sharp and witty dialogue, and relatable stories and characters that ring completely true.
I agree with all that has been said: they don’t make movies like this anymore. Nowadays, “Terms” would have gotten a big fat puh-leez from critics who would have admonished its melodramatic moments and the overall lack of realism, grittiness of the film. “The Big Chill” would have suffered the same fate for the same reasons. “Terms of Endearment” is deserving of its award.
Oh yes, and the movie is contingent on a couple of strong performances by women, very rare for a blockbuster nowadays. What a shame.
Sure like picking on Terms, don’t ya? It’s a fabulous movie. But I would go with The Right Stuff which was just an amazing spectacle. Everything I want in a movie.
Wow! What a great year for Hollywood. I’m torn between Terms, The Right Stuff and Big Chill. These are three movies that I was stop and watch if I come across them while channel surfing. Can there be a 3-way tie?
Of course it wouldn’t win today. Hals the audience would be bored because there is no CGI and the other half would be upset because they have brains and have seen many of these cliche heartuggers since then. It was good way back when but today it wouldn’t even be worth Sundance.
Michigan really stinks. I hope you are able to relive those years back in the 80’s. Now the Wolverines are just sad:(
Some great movies. I actually really like Terms and thought it was an accomplishment for a first time director like James L. Brooks… I love dysfunctional family movies (like Ordinary People, etc.).
The Big Chill is also pretty good but I HAD to give it to another movie, it’d absolutely go to The Right Stuff. Very interesting and it practically felt like a documentary. That was Sam Shepard right? Great movie.
TOE would not win today. It’s a great movie and probably deserved when it won. It’s a different movie for a different time period and yet it still works today. Most movies that won in the past wouldn’t win today. If we take GONE WITH THE WIND (one of my favorite movies), it certainly would not win today or even be made due to what may be perceived as controversial/offensive subject matter.
“Terms of Endearment” certainly had its moments and probably merited a nomination that year; but I always wound up feeling manipulated when watching it…the performances, particularly MacLaine and Nicholson, made the film worth a nomination though. My pick, then and now, is “The Right Stuff” which is just a terrific epic and still stands the test of time. Everything was good about that one. “Chill” and “Mercies” were okay, though as a 60s type, I found “Big Chill” too earnest by half. And if they wanted a “classy” Brit film, why not skip “The Dresser” and put in “Educating Rita” in its place. Other films of note that year were the totally depressing “Testament” and a really good adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Dead Zone”.
OK EW- I enjoy your “Recalling the Gold” series, but DON’T, DO NOT eff with Terms of Endearment! Still one of the best dramas ever (with some majorly comedic sections too).
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