Really great movie, very moving.
Debra Winger stars as Emma Greenway, a woman who has grown up under an overly protective mother, Aurora (played by Shirley MacLaine), eager to move away from home. This experience is especially prevalent after Aurora is widowed, leaving it just to the two of them throughout Emma's childhood, which we see traces of at various stages of her life. Right away we can tell the dynamic- the two love each other but Emma definitely holds some resentment towards Aurora being so protective, while Aurora tends to drop negative comments/be somewhat cynical, criticizing minor things about Emma.
Emma ends up marrying college professor Flap (played by Jeff Daniels), and they move away and have kids together. While Emma is away, a lonely Aurora becomes romantically involved with her neighbor, Garrett (played by Jack Nicholson), an astronaut who is pretty sleazy and known to be involved with multiple girls at the same time. Aurora, who is very prim and polished, initially is appalled by Garrett but grows closer to him over time as he encourages her to come out of her shell.
One day, Emma catches Flap cheating on her, bringing herself and the kids to Aurora, which excites Aurora to see her grandkids. Garrett appears to be not ready to commit to not just Aurora but a family, and their relationship is put on hold. Emma ends up moving back with Flap as they prepare to move to Nebraska for his job as head of a college's English department.
At a check-in one day, the doctor finds lumps in Emma's armpits and she is diagnosed with cancer, later determined to be resistant to treatments and has spread throughout her body. With a terminal diagnosis, Aurora and Emma's best friend Patsy (played by Lisa Hart Carroll) come to Emma's bedside, along with her husband and young boys. It's very emotional as the family has to make the arrangements for when Emma is gone, especially when Emma says a forever goodbye to her boys. After Garrett also comes to support Aurora, they rekindle their relationship. The end scene shows hope for the Greenway family, and is heartwarming as they live and persist in the memory of Emma.
I really think the movie nailed the complex dynamics of family relationships. No one is shown to be perfect- Emma secretly is cheating on Flap while accusing him of cheating and holding it against him- but they are largely still likable and compelling characters. Emma and Aurora's relationship is really interesting and feels really genuine. I thought the score was really good too. Debra Winger is excellent, but my favorite here is Shirley MacLaine- every scene with Aurora is so captivating, she is just so incredibly good. I really liked this movie.
Really great movie, very moving.
Debra Winger stars as Emma Greenway, a woman who has grown up under an overly protective mother, Aurora (played by Shirley MacLaine), eager to move away from home. This experience is especially prevalent after Aurora is widowed, leaving it just to the two of them throughout Emma's childhood, which we see traces of at various stages of her life. Right away we can tell the dynamic- the two love each other but Emma definitely holds some resentment towards Aurora being so protective, while Aurora tends to drop negative comments/be somewhat cynical, criticizing minor things about Emma.
Emma ends up marrying college professor Flap (played by Jeff Daniels), and they move away and have kids together. While Emma is away, a lonely Aurora becomes romantically involved with her neighbor, Garrett (played by Jack Nicholson), an astronaut who is pretty sleazy and known to be involved with multiple girls at the same time. Aurora, who is very prim and polished, initially is appalled by Garrett but grows closer to him over time as he encourages her to come out of her shell.
One day, Emma catches Flap cheating on her, bringing herself and the kids to Aurora, which excites Aurora to see her grandkids. Garrett appears to be not ready to commit to not just Aurora but a family, and their relationship is put on hold. Emma ends up moving back with Flap as they prepare to move to Nebraska for his job as head of a college's English department.
At a check-in one day, the doctor finds lumps in Emma's armpits and she is diagnosed with cancer, later determined to be resistant to treatments and has spread throughout her body. With a terminal diagnosis, Aurora and Emma's best friend Patsy (played by Lisa Hart Carroll) come to Emma's bedside, along with her husband and young boys. It's very emotional as the family has to make the arrangements for when Emma is gone, especially when Emma says a forever goodbye to her boys. After Garrett also comes to support Aurora, they rekindle their relationship. The end scene shows hope for the Greenway family, and is heartwarming as they live and persist in the memory of Emma.
I really think the movie nailed the complex dynamics of family relationships. No one is shown to be perfect- Emma secretly is cheating on Flap while accusing him of cheating and holding it against him- but they are largely still likable and compelling characters. Emma and Aurora's relationship is really interesting and feels really genuine. I thought the score was really good too. Debra Winger is excellent, but my favorite here is Shirley MacLaine- every scene with Aurora is so captivating, she is just so incredibly good. I really liked this movie.
