sdyer@bbncca.ARPA (Steve Dyer) (12/04/83)
Well, I responded to all the good reviews, and saw "Terms of Endearment" tonight. I am at a loss to understand the kind of critical acclaim this movie has received. For me, it was a self-conscious, dishonest, manipulative movie filled with eccentrics and ciphers, none of whom were at all believable or especially likable. Why do we accept Nicholson's standard wild-man pap which he's played again and again ever since "Easy Rider"? Shirley MacLaine's character strays dangerously toward perpetuating the stereotype of the frigid older woman who just needs a man to loosen her up. Outrageous! But the audience laps it up, presented as it is in such a neat, "upscale" package. There are also a number of cheap shots at urban life, specifically New York City, which are notable only for their hit-and-run punch lines and lack of any real insight. The last third of the film had most of the audience crying and sobbing, when in fact it's the standard "Love Story" deus ex machina, updated for the 80's extended family. (Jenny and Oliver had only themselves--a portent of the 70's "Me decade".) I fear I may be just a voice crying in the wilderness here, overrun by good reviews and word of mouth. But don't tell me I didn't tell you so! -- /Steve Dyer decvax!bbncca!sdyer sdyer@bbncca
lied@ihlts.UUCP (12/05/83)
Total agreement. The first part of the movie was reasonably entertaining, but the last part was pure emotional manipulation. The reviews so far have been overly generous. Not a bad movie, but those hospital scenes were without socially redeeming value. How can people get misty-eyed over such over-dramatic over-acting? Bob Lied ...ihnp4!ihlts!lied