There are individual scenes in Terms of Endearment which would fall apart without all of the genuine emotion surrounding them - the movie builds these emotions carefully and deliberately, and creates such truthful relationships between its characters, that when we reach its inevitable ending, we can't help but be moved.
It took me a good long time to see this film. Maybe it was because I expected a sad slog of a melodrama, or these emotions coming across as undeserved. But I was totally floored by this movie, and lifted by the vivacity of these characters, and the film's careful balance between humor and drama that carries through the story.
Larry McMurtry was one of the best America writers, and his books and the films adapted from his work (and his Brokeback Mountain screenplay, adapted from the Proulx story) all have something in common, which is that they chronicle something very specific about American society - characters whom are often stuck in a bubble, or small towns without a reasonable means of escape; their sexuality or relationships inhibiting their freedom, or circumstance preventing them from living who they are. Transcendence occurs when these people can find find peace and happiness within themselves, and connect to others with love and understanding.
The actors who bring his (and James L. Brooks') words to life are sublime in their roles. I found the familial (especially the mother-daughter relationship) and spousal relationships so true, and filled with so much nuance, that there were many moments I just was nodding in agreement with the decisions made on the part of the writer, director and actors all together.
It took me a good long time to see this film. Maybe it was because I expected a sad slog of a melodrama, or these emotions coming across as undeserved. But I was totally floored by this movie, and lifted by the vivacity of these characters, and the film's careful balance between humor and drama that carries through the story.
Larry McMurtry was one of the best America writers, and his books and the films adapted from his work (and his Brokeback Mountain screenplay, adapted from the Proulx story) all have something in common, which is that they chronicle something very specific about American society - characters whom are often stuck in a bubble, or small towns without a reasonable means of escape; their sexuality or relationships inhibiting their freedom, or circumstance preventing them from living who they are. Transcendence occurs when these people can find find peace and happiness within themselves, and connect to others with love and understanding.
The actors who bring his (and James L. Brooks') words to life are sublime in their roles. I found the familial (especially the mother-daughter relationship) and spousal relationships so true, and filled with so much nuance, that there were many moments I just was nodding in agreement with the decisions made on the part of the writer, director and actors all together.
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