Behind the Scenes of a Cinematic Classic: Director James L. Brooks Recounts “Rocky” Set of “Terms of Endearment”
James L. Brooks, the acclaimed filmmaker behind cinematic touchstones like “Broadcast News” and “As Good as It Gets,” is opening up about the notoriously challenging production of his directorial debut, “Terms of Endearment.” The 1983 dramedy, adapted from Larry McMurtry’s novel, went on to sweep the Academy Awards, securing five Oscars, including Brooks’ own historic triple win for writing, directing, and producing. However, behind the glittering accolades lay a palpable tension between its leading ladies, Debra Winger and Shirley MacLaine.
Brooks, now 85, recently reflected on the on-set atmosphere, describing it as “as rocky as it gets” during periods of filming. He likened the feeling to the unsettling quiet that descends upon a household when parents are in conflict. “When mom and dad are fighting, and that kind of frozen feeling you get in the pit of your stomach that you can do very little about it… it was a little like that,” Brooks admitted. This sentiment echoes past reports of friction between MacLaine, 91, and Winger, 70, who portrayed the complex mother-daughter duo Aurora Greenway and Emma Greenway-Horton, respectively. Brooks himself had previously characterized the on-set environment as “stormy” during a retrospective interview for the film’s 40th anniversary.
The film’s critical and commercial success culminated in a triumphant night at the 56th Academy Awards in 1984. “Terms of Endearment” was honored with Best Picture, Best Actress for Shirley MacLaine, and Best Supporting Actor for Jack Nicholson. Brooks also took home the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Amidst this widespread recognition, Brooks noted a poignant moment involving Debra Winger, who received her second of three career Oscar nominations for her role.
“At the end, there was enormous grace on Debra’s part, because we went to the Oscars,” Brooks recalled. “Everybody came home with an Oscar except Debra.” He vividly remembers the celebratory atmosphere as his co-stars posed with their statuettes. “Shirley and Jack were posing with their Oscars, and she sat there posing with an imaginary one,” Brooks said, referring to Winger. “So she had great grace at the end of it, but for a while there it was as rocky as it gets.”
Brooks himself experienced a night of unparalleled triumph, securing three Academy Awards for “Terms of Endearment.” He described feeling “tremendously emotional” upon winning his first Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. The subsequent wins for directing and producing, however, led to a state of bewildered euphoria. “The night that I won everything, my mind was blown, and I’d won the writing Oscar and then the director’s thing happened, and I’m sort of in a stupor,” he recounted. “My head is down, I’m dazed, and Jack, he says, ‘Go for the triple!’ ” Brooks also praised Jack Nicholson’s composed demeanor when accepting his award, likening it to “a veteran soldier.”
Beyond the major acting and directing awards, “Terms of Endearment” garnered nominations in several other key categories, underscoring its overall excellence:
- Best Art Direction
- Best Sound
- Best Film Editing
- Best Original Score
Brooks lauded the exceptional talent on display, particularly singling out Jack Nicholson’s performance. “Just some great acting. And the extraordinary charisma, same thing,” Brooks said of Nicholson’s magnetic presence. “One of the greatest actors alive, with extraordinary charisma. It’s nuts when that’s a combo.”
The enduring legacy of “Terms of Endearment” continues to resonate, a testament to its compelling storytelling and the powerhouse performances that defined it, even amidst the behind-the-scenes drama. Brooks’ recent directorial effort, “Ella McCay,” is currently in theaters.