Terms of Endearment is a story that spans approximately ten years, focusing on the complex relationship between long widowed Houston-based upper middle class Aurora Greenway and her adult daughter Emma Horton.
There is a general love and affection between the two, characterized by Aurora's overbearing and judgmental nature and Emma's need for acceptance from her mother regardless.
Aurora's focus on being a constant influence on Emma's life was strengthened upon the death of Aurora's husband/Emma's father Rudyard when Emma was an adolescent.
Despite allowing a few ardent but rather undistinguished admirers into her life, Aurora did not actively pursue romance following being widowed, again turning that energy largely to Emma.
This phase of Aurora and Emma's story starts when Emma marries Flap Horton, of who Aurora openly disapproves as a man she considers ambitionless (as he wants to be an academic).
Aurora and Emma's relationship hits some further challenges when Emma, Flap and their children at whatever given time make moves away from Houston for Flap's career advancement.
Although Aurora and Emma talk frequently on the phone due to the distance, Emma, a stay at home mom, is largely left to deal with the issues in her and Flap's less than perfect marriage on her own.
Meanwhile, with extra time without Emma nearby and the hands of time slowly passing, Aurora eventually decides to take a chance and ultimately accept a date with her longtime next door neighbor Garrett Breedlove, an aging astronaut to who she never really even talked over the years due to their outward differences.
While Garrett is miles away from the gentility that Aurora seems to admire in others and in herself, Aurora is conversely unlike most of the women Garrett pursues, he using his celebrity status to chase after nubile young women half his age.
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Terms of Endearment
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Anything Goes
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Gee, Officer Krupke
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Leonard Bernstein:
Performer
Stephen Sondheim: From 'west side story' lyrics Stephen Sondheim: (1961) from "west side story" lyrics |
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I Feel the Earth Move
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Lou Adler:
Produced
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For Me and My Gal
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Judy Garland:
Performer
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Rock-a-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody
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Judy Garland:
Performer
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Stella by Starlight
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Isn't It Romantic
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I Get Along Without You Very Well
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The Nearness of You
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That Old Black Magic
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Another Hundred People
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Isn't It Romantic
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Sam Lewis:
Performer
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