Retro-review: "This is my moment"   SPECIAL MOTHER'S DAY RETRO-
REVIEW: 1983's "Terms of Endearment," starring Debra Winger,
Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson. Written and directed by
James L. Brook (from the novel by Larry McMurtry).  THE PLOT:
Emma (Winger) is the rebellious daughter to Aurora (MacLaine), a
stuffy, emotionally distant mother who disapproves of her
daughter's husband (the always great Jeff Daniels) and life. It
takes Emma's illness -- and an affair with her neighbor
(Nicholson) -- for her motherly instincts to finally kick in.
MAYBE YOU REMEMBER: A sequel -- "The Evening Star" -- was
released in 1996, with MacLaine and Nicholson returning to play
their roles from "Endearment." The movie was a dud both with
critics and the box office.  SURELY YOU CAN'T FORGET: The
supporting cast was simply amazing -- even the bit parts played
by Danny DeVito and John Lithgow. But Nicholson stole the show
as the raunchy, retired astronaut "Garrett Breedlove," a
character that didn't even exist in the novel.