Terms of Endearment

James L. Brooks’ feature film directing debut won just all of the awards. I can see why. It’s well acted, largely well written, adapting the novel by Larry McMurtry and providing space for some legacy and up and coming actors to have their moments, but the weepy finale is just too out there for my tastes. Brooks’ consistent and light hand at character-based comedy is what pulls me through, even that final act.

Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) and her daughter Emma (Debra Winger) are lef...