The film Terms of Endearment, released in 1983, is one of those Hollywood masterpieces that continues to be talked about over time.

Honestly, I initially thought, 'Isn't it just a family drama?' But by the end of the movie, I found myself in tears. There are no flashy action scenes or huge plot twists, yet the power to move people's hearts is truly remarkable.

In fact, the original title, Terms of Endearment, literally translates to 'expressions of affection,' 'terms of endearment,' or 'loving nicknames.'

In English-speaking countries, it refers to terms used by lovers or parents to affectionately call each other, like "Honey," "Sweetheart," or "Darling," but there isn't an exact equivalent in Korean.

So, while it was released in Korea under the title '애정의 조건' (Conditions of Affection), just seeing that title might lead one to misunderstand it as a romance film about "the conditions needed for love." In fact, many people think it's a story about love or romance between a man and a woman before watching the film.

The film was directed by James L. Brooks and starred some of the best actors of the time, including Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson, and Jeff Daniels.

Especially the relationship between Aurora, played by Shirley MacLaine, and her daughter Emma, played by Debra Winger, feels incredibly realistic even today. They love each other but also hurt each other, and despite their conflicts, they portray the delicate bond between parent and child beautifully.

The setting of this film is Houston, Texas.

The film naturally features spacious suburban homes, the street scenes of Houston at the time, restaurants, and shopping areas. Unlike today's computer-generated cities, it captures the real-life atmosphere of Houston in the 1970s and 80s, making it quite enjoyable to see the vibe of an old American city.

The box office performance was also impressive. The production cost was about $8 million, but it grossed over $108 million in North America alone, achieving tremendous success by the standards of that time. When combined with international earnings, it recorded about $165 million worldwide, which means it made over 20 times its production cost. Considering that family dramas were not blockbusters, this was truly an exceptional success.

It was also overwhelming at the awards ceremonies. At the 56th Academy Awards, it won five categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor, and several actors, including Debra Winger and John Lithgow, were nominated, bringing the total to 11 nominations.

It is not an exaggeration to say that it represented Hollywood that year.

However, the reason this film is still loved today is not just because of its awards or box office success. It has had such a significant impact that many family films and mother-daughter dramas created afterward have been influenced by Terms of Endearment.

It realistically portrays the relationship between parents and children without idealizing it too much, showing that they hurt each other yet remain connected by the bond of family. Especially the final hospital scene is often mentioned as one of the most heartbreaking moments in American film history.

Garrett, played by Jack Nicholson, also adds warmth to the film. He brings a light-hearted humor and human charm, providing laughter even amidst the heavy story, and ultimately won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for this role.

While modern films captivate audiences with flashy CGI and fast-paced plots, Terms of Endearment carries the emotions of its characters for over two hours. Therefore, even after more than 40 years, it feels timeless, and I believe it resonates even more deeply as one grows older.

As mentioned earlier, the Korean title '애정의 조건' is not a wrong translation, but it fails to fully convey the warm nuances and emotions originally intended. Thus, this film is regarded as a masterpiece that is far superior to its title, which only makes sense once you know the content.

If you have parents or are raising children, this is a film you must see at least once.

It's rare for a film set in Houston to remain in the memories of people around the world for so long. I hope you give it a watch.