BBB.5
(out of 5)
Like Kramer Vs. Kramer, this moving drama is a straightforward, honestly emotional account of the ups and downs of family relationships. Shirley MacLaine shines as a commanding Texas matriarch whose desire to control her daughter’s happiness is so strong she even skips the young woman’s wedding just to prove her point. Debra Winger matches MacLaine blow for blow as an equally headstrong woman who needs no one to tell her what to do. As she heads into the dark waters of marriage and motherhood with her college professor husband (Jeff Daniels), her mother learns to relax when she discovers romance with her new neighbour, a womanizing astronaut (Jack Nicholson) who just loves to be a cad. When seen now, the plotting and pace resemble television soap opera more than cinema, but there’s no denying just how deeply the characters are felt and how much their good times and bad become so meaningful to the audience. Brooks’s excellent dialogue is the principle asset, with scene-stealing performances (irrepressible Jack!) providing the rest of the enjoyment.
USA, 1983
Directed by James L. Brooks
Screenplay by James L. Brooks, based on the novel by Larry McMurtry
Cinematography by Andrzej Bartkowiak
Produced by James L. Brooks
Music by Michael Gore
Production Design by Polly Platt
Costume Design by Kristi Zea
Film Editing by Richard Marks
Cast Tags: Albert Brooks, Alexandra O’Karma, Amanda Watkins, Barbara Balik, Bette Croissant, Betty King, Buddy Gilbert, Charles Beall, Dana Vance, Danny DeVito, David Wohl, Debra Winger, Devon O’Brien, Elaine McGown, F. William Parker, Helen Stauffer, Holly Holmberg Brooks, Huckleberry Fox, Jack Nicholson, Jeff Daniels, Jennifer Josey, John C. Conger, John Lithgow, Judy Dickerson, Kate Charleson, Lanier Whilden, Lear Levin, Lelise Folse, Lisa Hart Carroll, Mary Kay Place, Megan Morris, Michelle Watkins, Nancy Mette, Norman Bennett, Paul Menzel, Sandra Newkirk, Shane Serwin, Sharisse Baker-Bernard, Shelley K. Nielsen, Shirley MacLaine, Tara Yeakey, Tom Wees, Troy Bishop
Academy Awards
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Jack Nicholson as “Garrett Breedlove”)
Best Actress in a Leading Role (Shirley MacLaine as “Aurora Greenaway”)
Best Directing (James L. Brooks)
Best Picture (James L. Brooks, producer)
Best Writing (Screenplay Based on Material From Another Medium) (James L. Brooks)
Nominations
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (John Lithgow as “Sam Burns”)
Best Actress in a Leading Role (Debra Winger as “Emma Horton”)
Best Art Direction (art direction: Polly Platt, Harold Michelson; set decoration: Tom Pedigo, Anthony Mondello)
Best Film Editing (Richard Marks)
Best Music (Original Score) (Michael Gore)
Best Sound (Donald O. Mitchell, Rick Kline, Kevin O’Connell, Jim Alexander)
Golden Globe Awards
Best Motion Picture-Drama
Best Performance By An Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama (Shirley MacLaine)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Jack Nicholson)
Best Screenplay (James L. Brooks)
Nominations
Best Performance By An Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama (Debra Winger)
Best Director (James L. Brooks)
New York Film Critics Awards
Best Film
Best Actress (Shirley MacLaine)
Best Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson)
Nominations
Best Actress (Debra Winger)
Best Supporting Actor (John Lithgow)
Best Screenplay (James L. Brooks)
Los Angeles Film Critics Awards
Best Picture
Best Actress (Shirley MacLaine)
Best Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson)
Best Director (James L. Brooks)
Best Screenplay (James L. Brooks)
Nomination
Best Supporting Actor (John Lithgow)
National Society of Film Critics Awards
Best Actress (Debra Winter)
Best Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson)
Nominations
Best Actress (Shirley MacLaine)
Best Screenplay (James L. Brooks)
National Board Of Review Awards
Best Film (tie)
Best Actress (Shirley MacLaine)
Best Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson)
Best Director (James L. Brooks)
Writers Guild Award
Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium
Directors Guild Award
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures (James L. Brooks)
British Academy Award Nomination
Best Actress (Shirley MacLaine)
Boston Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson)
Best American Film
