Terms of Endearment. More Hollywood Depiction of Immoral Trash

[ClaireH]

In the beginning, Nicholson's character kept to himself, didn't associate with his neighbors, made a good living writing popular novels, and was a card-carrying misogynist. He didn't fit into society and he was OK with it. It was all the other characters in the movie that were offended by his inability to follow the conventions of their society.

By the end of the movie, he ended up being a neutered rom-com protagonist who Helen Hunt is going to leave anyway because he's just too weird.

No Fncceo, had they made a sequel he proved to her at the end he could put away his OCD weirdness, at least enough for a quick street kiss! This changed everything! Lol Now, had he stopped after his fist peck he was done, it was written all over her face. If only they made a second chapter you would have to give me 200 bucks for being right and winning the bet

I get what you’re saying about how they completely shifted his character to fit into her life, and maybe a little too much to fit reality. I would imagine in that SQL he would still be visiting his doctor and still be found acting on his OCD issues, especially if he had been given a fake vaccine during the first movie! They could have had a field day portraying all kinds of bad consequences….but I regress.

 

[fncceo]

No Fncceo, had they made a sequel he proved to her at the end he could put away his OCD weirdness, at least enough for a quick street kiss! This changed everything!

The fact that he could contain his own personality long enough for an unconvincing PDA is proof of nothing but how unwilling Hunt's character was of accepting him for what he was.

When he inevitably slipped back into his old patterns, she would leave him in a New York minute and leave him more miserable than he was before she ruined him.

 

[ClaireH]

The fact that he could contain his own personality long enough for an unconvincing PDA is proof of nothing but how unwilling Hunt's character was of accepting him for what he was.

When he inevitably slipped back into his old patterns, she would leave him in a New York minute and leave him more miserable than he was before she ruined him.

My comment about the kiss mostly a tongue in cheek remark, but with her life (her son’s more specifically) being drastically improved by meeting him, the movie would not have lost much to keep the two as life-long friends. Another aspect was even though she mistook his kindness as expecting a return, her lines that followed those scenes brought up “boyfriend” catching him off guard 3/4ths into the movie. His mind hadn’t gone there yet hers did. Idk… I gave her character more credit than that…as he stated she was a “good person” and she had no need to go beyond friends, that was all on her. Had it been him pursuing her as marriage potential instead the other way around, you’re take would be much more likely.

 

[fncceo]

he stated she was a “good person” and she had no need to go beyond friends,

A man capable of sustaining a friendship with an attractive female has one thing in common with Schroedinger's Cat.

They are both purely hypothetical.

 

[Flopper]

No Fncceo, had they made a sequel he proved to her at the end he could put away his OCD weirdness, at least enough for a quick street kiss! This changed everything! Lol Now, had he stopped after his fist peck he was done, it was written all over her face. If only they made a second chapter you would have to give me 200 bucks for being right and winning the bet

I get what you’re saying about how they completely shifted his character to fit into her life, and maybe a little too much to fit reality. I would imagine in that SQL he would still be visiting his doctor and still be found acting on his OCD issues, especially if he had been given a fake vaccine during the first movie! They could have had a field day portraying all kinds of bad consequences….but I regress.

Romanic Comedies are fantasies designed put a smile on your face and that's it. The artistry in the movie is distracting the audience away from realities so they can be carried away to La-la land for 2 hours. Picking the movie apart and fantasizing about what might happen after the final scene is pointless.

 

[Flopper]

Do you like The Party? It was the first Sellers movie I saw that wasn't an Inspector Clouseau movie. I liked the Clouseau character as well.

Jerry Lewis was also a better than average actor, going by his role in Wise Guy.

The Party (1968) was a surprising funny movie. I had to watch the trailer to recall it since it's been 50 years since I have seen it.

Some of Seller's best works were in late 50's with the British comedies, I'm Alright Jack, The Ladykillers, and Teddy Boy.

The 60's were a mix bag, highlighted by The Pink Panther and the great comedy Dr. Strangeglove. Apparently, Sellers began to believe what people were saying about him, that he was a natural comic and everything he did was funny. He proved that wrong with Casino Royal and a string of best forgotten movies. Into this mess came the The Party which was a pretty good comedy although a bit to 60ish for today's audience.

In the 70's. there were a few hits like the Return of the Pink Panther but most of his movies were not that good and he resorted to doing voice overs and cameos . The exception was what would be one of his last and best movie, Being There. He said, he worked harder on this movie than any movie he had ever made and it showed.

When Peter Seller was enthusiastic about a role he was incredible good. However, he had little interest in many of his roles. The belief that he was haunted by a 1904 vaudeville actor, years of involvement in spiritualism, domestic disputes, drugs, alcohol, psychiatric care and several voluntary commitments certainly effected his career.

 

[Flopper]

My comment about the kiss mostly a tongue in cheek remark, but with her life (her son’s more specifically) being drastically improved by meeting him, the movie would not have lost much to keep the two as life-long friends. Another aspect was even though she mistook his kindness as expecting a return, her lines that followed those scenes brought up “boyfriend” catching him off guard 3/4ths into the movie. His mind hadn’t gone there yet hers did. Idk… I gave her character more credit than that…as he stated she was a “good person” and she had no need to go beyond friends, that was all on her. Had it been him pursuing her as marriage potential instead the other way around, you’re take would be much more likely.

The last scene of movie was brilliant. The script called for Nicholson and Hunt to kiss and walk away with her head own his shoulder into eternal bliss. The director, James L. Brooks reviewed this scene as scripted and decided it wouldn't work. Although the audience might want a happy ever after Hollywood ending, they would spot it as a lie, no way these two were headed toward a great love affair. That's when Brooks came up with the 5 seconds of Nicholson jumping over cracks in the sidewall as he did in the beginning of the movie. So audiences got a happy and funny ending with a bit of reality thrown in. Nicholson would always be OCD and pretty weird. Maybe there would be a fomanic relationship or maybe just a friendship but no marriage bliss for these two.

 

[fncceo]

no marriage bliss for these two.

You rarely hear the words "marriage" and "bliss" in the same sentence.

 

[Flopper]

You rarely hear the words "marriage" and "bliss" in the same sentence.

True. I was glad this movie didn't go in that direction.

 

[DudleySmith]

Into this mess came the The Party which was a pretty good comedy although a bit to 60ish for today's audience.

That is actually one of the reason I like it, because the sets represented what was then considered 'luxury' and 'high tech' at the time. the hi fi system, etc. The drunk waiter was a scene stealer, and the bit where he loses his shoe in the water is hilarious.

I was speaking of Nicholson's The Pledge earlier, it hasn't beena round in years, and lo and behold it's on here in an hour so. Deja Vu; 3rd time I've mentioned an old movie here this year and then see it turn up on the tube within days.

 

[ClaireH]

Romanic Comedies are fantasies designed put a smile on your face and that's it. The artistry in the movie is distracting the audience away from realities so they can be carried away to La-la land for 2 hours. Picking the movie apart and fantasizing about what might happen after the final scene is pointless.

I enjoy imagining the “what if” and analyzing the words and actions of characters. Even cartoons lol…well, not really. I blame good teachers who encouraged inquisitive minds mostly, plus a long line of teachers in the family

 

[ClaireH]

A man capable of sustaining a friendship with an attractive female has one thing in common with Schroedinger's Cat.

They are both purely hypothetical.

Or if the man is gay.

I’m going out on a limb here but I don’t really find Helen Hunt too attractive, cute yes, beautiful no. Had they wanted to cast a female known for looks, or where looks was supposed to be a factor, they’d have gone with a Margo Robbie type. Hunt is known for her impressive acting ability.