Terms of Endearment (1983)

Starring Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, and Jack Nicholson
Directed by James L. Brooks

by Joshua Simpkins

In honor of Mother’s Day I chose to watch (due to a recommendation) the 1983 film “Terms of Endearment”. It turned about to be especially appropriate because it is a film about mothers (and a drunk Jack Nicholson, not like that has anything to do with mothers, unless your mother is a drunk and likes Jack Nicholson. Mine hates him and she doesn’t drink). Also, in honor of the maternal day I also decided to drink red wine instead of beer. The wine of choice was a 2008 [yellow tail] Shiraz- Cabernet finely aged (because I cook with it and its been corked for a while, and by cook with it I mean mix it into Prego marinara sauce and throw it in the microwave) and economically easy on the wallet with the friendly price of $5.87. I had to drink it out of juice glasses because I do not actually own any wine glasses.

I know you must be asking yourself why, “Terms of Endearment”? Why not, something like say, “Monster In Law”, or something with Meryl Streep? I ask myself the same questions? Why not something with Meryl Streep? Perhaps “Sophie’s Choice” would be an excellent Mother’s Day pick. Why does J-Lo have such a bubbly ass? These are questions that need answers.

The idea to watch TOE came about during a dinner discussion. I claimed that “Marley and Me” was one of the saddest films I had ever seen. What can I say? Dogs strike a nerve. The counter argument was that nothing is sadder than “Terms of Endearment” when Debra Winger’s character tells her son on her cancerous deathbed, “I forgive you”. I thought there is no way that compares to “Marley and Me” when Owen Wilson bends down to Marley in the Veterinarian’s office and whispers to him; “You know when I told you that you were a bad dog? I was wrong. You’re not a bad dog. You’re the best dog.” Heartbreaking. How can anything be sadder than that?

Well, “Terms of Endearment” is pretty sad. Especially, when you’ve had three full juice glasses of stale red wine. And, the fact that it’s Mother’s Day doesn’t help either. Good Lord. Is it a good film? No, it’s a great film. If you haven’t seen it then you should. And, let me warn you. You are going to cry. It is f-cking sad. I won’t ruin it for you and tell you what it’s all about. It’s about mothers and daughters, and mothers and sons, and drunk astronauts played by Jack Nicholson. It’s funny and its sad as hell, sad sad and good sad. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and then the movie will end and you’ll pass out on your air mattress from the stale red wine at 1 o’clock in the afternoon only to wake up confused 3 hours later.

FORCE THE BOYFRIEND:  7 out of 10 (Great movie!)

Beer Pairing Recommendation

I actually skipped the beer and in honor of Mother's Day

went with a stale 2008 Yellow Tail Shiraz- Cabernet