A STORY ABOUT FRIENDS, FAMILY AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS.

In 1988, Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) has a strained relationship with her grandchildren and eventually agrees to see a therapist (Bill Paxton).

The sequel to Terms of Endearment (1983) desperately tries to rekindle our feelings for that sentimental masterpiece, but never really comes close. MacLaine carries it a long way and the movie would be a complete bust without her; not even Jack Nicholson’s glorified cameo near the end is much of a highlight.

Still, Juliette Lewis does remind one of Debra Winger, and there are a few amusing moments.

1996-U.S. 129 min. Color. Written and directed by Robert Harling. Novel: Larry McMurtry. Cast: Shirley MacLaine (Aurora Greenway), Bill Paxton (Jerry Bruckner), Juliette Lewis (Melanie Horton), Miranda Richardson, Ben Johnson, Scott Wolf… Jack Nicholson.

Trivia: Johnson’s last film. James L. Brooks was offered to direct, but declined; Frank Oz was also considered. Gwyneth Paltrow was considered for the part of Melanie.