Probably the saddest scene in the history of movies. The little boy's face when he's leaving the room - o gawd. If that doesn't make you cry you are dead inside.
Many are, Little Prince. When a society everywhere starts embracing the despicable thought of Ayn Rand and Friedrisch Nietsche, many deaths ensue, indeed
That's probably the best acting I have ever seen by a child actor - you really have to remind yourself he's just an actor and his mom isn't really dying of cancer in real life. Very sad scene.
Its a beautiful scene, as a mother she saved her son years of regret and heartbreak. He could never look back at his final moments with his mom and anguish over the thought "she didn't know that I loved her"
Diva Soares I think that was her intention but there is ZERO chance that anything she said here could possibly save him from the inevitable and massive guilt he is going to feel later on.
We see in the sequel (Evening Star) that Tommy grows up to have lots of problems -- misbehavior, drug + emotional trouble, prison time -- but ultimately softens, returning to a 'normal happy' life, largely because of his mother and especially grandmother's influence. The Emma-Tommy relationship echoes the Aurora-Emma one.
Your comment made so much sense now that I've lost my mother weeks ago. It is so true. Waking up each day with regret that mama probably didnt know that I cared for her too because I didnt show it.
This was one of the most considerate things I've ever seen on film. Realizing your kid will feel like a jerk for treating you badly as you're dying, and reassuring them that you're aware of their love in spite of their behavior.
When I first watched this movie a few years after my own mom had died of cancer (when I was not much older than these kids) this scene made me a wreck. It's so powerful. Though my Mom didn't handle her situation like the character here, I felt all of the intensity of this scene, especially in how I, as the older sister, was kinda was the "tougher" one and my younger brother was the one she seemed to focus her love on more. Powerful stuff and amazing acting. I wish we could have watched this together before she passed in 2000.
That’s the mark of a great mother, when she understands her child and knows what he’s going through and reminds him not to punish himself or feel guilt for not saying “I love you” to her before she passed away.
THE most unforgettable scene of all time. Deeply profound. ‘Don’t ever feel guilty, I know you love me.’ Comforting words to those of us who didn’t have that chance to say goodbye.
My mum died in may this year in this scene you see the strength of how much a mother loves her son it's the most powerful love in the world I miss my mum because I didn't get a chance to say goodbye.
I think it was worse for Shirley McClaine's character tbh! No parent should EVER attend the funeral of their own child. It should be the other way round. My heart breaks for any parent in life who has had to endure that unimaginable grief.
Poor kids. Gosh, I was crying so hard when this scene came in. Tommy is trying to be strong boy and Teddy, oh Teddy. Such a sweet innocent boy. He loves her mama very much. I even remember the scene where Emma is trying to buy them chocolates despite falling short on cash and Teddy was well aware of the situation and just said "I don't need it". Loved the film very much. 😭😭
Debra Winger started out her TV/movie career as a bad actress (e.g., her performance as Drusilla, the sister of Diana Prince in the 1976 TV show ''Wonder Woman''), but by the time she made the theatrical film, ''Terms of Endearment''(1984) , she had become a superb actress.
This scene really hits home with me. I was like Tommy when I was young. Acting like I didn’t love my mom, when I really did. The part when his grandma slaps him had me in tears. Especially after his mom dying...... great movie
Agree - He's trying to be tough and strong. He told grandma "My mother did anything for us". She thought it was very disrespectful and that's why she slapped him. Tommy thought she was getting better and wasn't. I felt bad for Teddy.
The older son was going thru an understandable phase considering he was present and was fully aware during the messiest years of his parents; infidelity, in-law problems, financial challenges, and just problems left and right. The mom assuring him that she understood completely of his burdens was a brilliant touch, as well as the script writing!
Yeah, I felt for him too !! Dealing with all that and his parents relationship. Trying to be Mr.Tough Guy too and strong for his younger siblings. But he did have his moments when he proved to be a good big brother and son. My favorite was when him and Tommy woke up Emma and Flap because they heard Melanie crying and say she was sick. Like of course Tommy was being his sweet self by being worried about his baby sister, but Flap still say on the bed and Teddy told him “ Come on, Dad ! “ ♥️
1:53 - 2:07 Poor baby boy :( She's such a good mom. I love how she tries to make her last parting words with her youngest son something more positive, because she sees how hard it is on him crying and all. You can even tell that once he closes that door he realizes that he'll never see her again. The nod she does at 1:59, just crushes me because she is trying so hard to hold it together for him. God, this scene is so heartbreaking. Debra Winger knocked this role out of the park. I don't know why she didn't win an Oscar for this performance.
Can you imagine how hard it must have been to have acted as Tommy? I mean, to be so heartless to your mother as she dies before your very eyes? That would have left a hole so vast in my heart, it would have taken me a long time to recover. That's tremendous acting.
I don't think it was so much the separation as it was that he built up a defense internally. He didn't want anyone to know how hurt he was at losing his mother. Was just easier to pretend.
I was too young to understand this scene when I first watched this movie back then. Now I am old and with my mother gone, I understand it now and it’s so touching. She loves her son so much that not only she doesn’t mind how he has been treating her, she also tells him not to feel guilty about his behaviour towards her when he looks back in the future. The love of a mother knows no bound.
Omg! I saw this movie for the 50th time last night, and this scene with the little boy talking to his mother as she lay in her dying bed, ripped my heart out as it always does every time I see it. How could someone so young, as an actor, perfectly encapsulate all of the emotions involved when it comes to losing a close loved one. He did an excellent job. I cried my eyes out. What a beautifully acted scene❤️.
One of the most incredible movies ever made. The cast is ridiculous and super talented. The story will bring you every feeling ever felt. Yup top 10 all time for me. Maybe top 5❤👍
I wish I could have had one last good talk with my mom. She left us so suddenly. I was her main caretaker and I would have taken care of her forever if she needed me to.
Yes, but in those days even today Boys weren't taught it was okay to cry and show vulnerablity. Tom was angry that his Mother was "Leaving" him. Sadly enough when he gets older he's going to have a very complicated relationship with women. He's going to want them to "Pay" for his Mama leaving him so he'll leave them.
laminage I agree, I had a friend who lost his mom at the age of 4yrs old, His dad spoiled him never taught him to be mentally strong and never respect women, till this day, He is single about 42yrs old, Doesn’t care, I’m not his friend anymore good riddance,lol
Thank you for agreeing with me. Also, look at Neil Hope (Wheels) from Degrassi. He played "My Parents Are Dead So Give Me A Break When I Act Bad!" He paid in spades when he drove under the Influence and killed A Baby Boy and almost Paralyzed & Blinded Lucy Fernandes for life.
If there should've ever been a tie in the Oscars, it should've been between Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger as Best Actress, for TERMS OF ENDEARMENT. They were both powerful and memorable in their roles in this classic!!
They would never have given that award to Debra over Shirley. Shirley was a veteran actress in the biz who had never won before. IT would have made Shirley look really bad. Did Debra deserve it? Yes!
I make sure I talk to my babies like this every time I spend days in a hospital because of my health problems 😪I make sure I let them know how much I love them no matter what we go through
Tommy really loved his mother, just had emotional problems. I feel sorry for any young child that loss their mother at an early age in their lives..... this is by far the 2nd money that made me cry. #1 imitation of Life
The sequel to the movie, is called the evening star when Aurora raises her 3 grandchildren. Tommy is an especially important character in the sequel. It’s beautiful to watch the beginning of part two because it shows how Tommy’s character is & has been since he was a boy keeping a wall up to hide his pain, then evolved into a fine man later in the movie. Letting his guard down ❤ if you haven’t seen it I highly recommend it.
I watched this movie recently .. this scene in particular had me really good .. its the little kid's facial expressions of sadness .. he did it so well .. I could not believe he was acting.
That's Huckleberry Fox. Such a cute child actor. From what i know he actually ditched acting and lives quite a normal life today. Has a son that looks just like him as a kid.
“Don’t ever do that to yourself, OK?” How many of us could have used those words? What a beautiful scene. As far as I’m concerned, the acting by these three here is among the best in film history. Totally believable.
I do too. I'm 53, know what's coming, and still do. It just means we have compassion and know what it's like & know good acting when we see it 😀👍. My question, How did they make that younger kid act out that scene?? Incredible.
Ive never heard of this movie. My daughter (9) was watching "Victorious" on Netflix and they were talking about this movie. The kids on show were watching movie (laughing) and the grownups were saying it wasn't a comedy; so I had to look it up. OMG I didn't know what I was walking into. *crying*
I mean -- not exaggerating or being melodramatic here -- it has a very credible claim to being one of the ten best American films yet made. I'm not gonna crusade on some hill about how it's "better than X" (or not), but it's that good.
There are times in life when one has to release , for me I go to scenes like this in wonderful well made films like Terms of Endearment. This moment in the movie is gut wrenching, all three were petfect, loved how Debra Winger just nailed the character of Emma,a role that almost passed her, first choice was Sissy Spacek (great Actor), I could see Sissy doing it justice, but, personally glad Debra got it, she has been labeled " Difficult ", but she got the approval of the great Bette Davis, that speaks volumes . Fantastic writers , especially the way Emma diffuses the ensuing argument between Tommy and Teddy by diverting Teddy's attention, telling him to give her a kiss...brilliant ! Shame that some in Hollywood are afraid of aggressive women, for all Debra has given as a fine actor, she should have won an award.
I think you missed the point. Tommy was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is common for many people He went through the divorce and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. We are too quick to judge without seeing deeper into the character.
I don't think they actually divorced. It's hard to say if Flap and Emma would have divorced eventually if she lived. They did make peace before she died. Maybe they would have tried to work things out I don't know.
This was so sad I. couldn't imagine her boys of what they were going thru then and after she died having their grandma raise them and there dad just letting them go .when thy needed him the most .
The kid was hurting thats why he acted like that way Dad had me watch this movie my tears start flowing each time i see this part ! I saw it in 1984 Dad ended up with Colon Stomach Cancer in 1987 died in Jan of 1988
If anyone ever asks me what my favorite movie is...it's "Terms of Endearment"! I've seen it a hundred times and practically know all the lines. This scene is a heartbreaker.
In real life I am that youngest brother in the movie. EXCEPT, I was an only child. Losing My Mother so young. I went to see this movie because my girlfriend wanted to go, she insisted I take her. For me it was a honey-do. I had no clue what it was about. I felt the youngest boys pain and every bit of mine revisited. The tears did not stop quietly running down face when it was over. "Imitation of life" both versions, "Field of Dreams," and "The Best Man Holiday." What great films, yet such a painful personal experience.
Of all the films I have ever seen in my life, many of them presenting terrible tragedies, this is the one which has produced in me the absolute sensation of utter sadness, and desolation. Nothing works in this poor couple's life, nothing. Even their boys are seemingly marked by this immense sadness that never ends. A lady has commented that the director of this movie was a genius, and I completely agree. I do not remember whether that was the lady Hulga. From "Good Country People", perhaps, by another extraordinary genius who had an astounding understanding of the human heart? How often we ignore, Hulga, that "The Life You Save May Be Your Own", indeed! You, seem to know. Thank You
+Jeffrey Hawthorne Goines I think what makes the movie special is that it does present tragedy, but not desolation. I'd rather call it bittersweet. Because this scene is horrifically sad, but then at the end you have Jack Nicholson there to show the kid his pool, kinda wipe away the tears. It shows us that we sometimes lose the ones we love, but still all is not lost.
What I realize what Emma truly meant to the people in her life. Let me say It's Patsy's last words to her. "Your my touchstone Emma." i think she says. I shows how much someone can effect those she's encountered..Even her mother,whom had to wake her 7 year old up as she did on the opening scene. She climbs into her daughter's bed like she is the child..Like the Crib as well. She is a touchstone to everyone and it makes it so much more tragic when that light is gone..This movie is nothing short of mastery of real life storytelling. Especially when that tragedy hits home to us.. I always loved the movie, but being an adult and seeing all of its themes from a different view. It s just a fire hydrant just opened from my eyes. That just isn't a thing in movies all that much now,and its a real shame. You won't come out of an A vengers or Batman v Superman feeling for the characters in their stories as here..For Damn sure, not that should or shouldn't..Now im rambling, just miss movies like these nowadays..
Aeon2Flux wat makes this movie stand is that it has that haunting feeling and males u think about life and makes u reflect on life. I have seen tear jerkers but this one stands out.
This movie brought back memories … I have a younger brother and younger sister … Our mom passed away 2 years ago at 68 from cancer… watching this part was like us saying goodbye to our mom… the pain the little boy felt was real ❤
The truly amazing thing about this film -- all of its legendary bits aside -- is that Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger couldn't stand each other. Near-complete opposites. Zero chemistry. And, somehow, even with the tension and Oscar competition, they made that work on-screen. Translated it into the rebellious mother-daughter thing. Impressive work.
