terms of endearment based on a book written by larry mcmurtry, adapted and directed by james l. brooks. it made you cry, it made you laugh. it was the stuff of life. just a minute. shirley maclaine plays aurora, gets involved with an astronaut played by jack ni nich nicholson. fly me to the moon, baby they just had this incredible comic chemistry. the romantic scenes between them are hilarious. it s not my fault, but i m sorry. if you wanted to get me on my back, you just had to ask me. terms of endearment may be the first dromedy, a word we hear all the time, a movie that s funny and tragic simultaneously. it s time for her shot, you understand? do something. all she has to do was hold on to 10:00 and it s past 10:00. she s in pain, any daughter s in pain, give her the shot. do you understand me?