There was nothing extra-ordinary in Nicholson's role in this movie to get him an Oscar. He has Hardly 20-25 minute of role play and nothing special in that. Shirley Maclaine rightly deserved her Oscar though. May be Debra winger (emma) would have been a good choice for oscar as well.
Overall the Movie is great. The scene of conversation between emma and her two sons in the hospital makes u emotional.
What you say?
Well, it was for best supporting actor and not best actor. John Lithgow was actually nominated in this category for TOE as well. I think Jeff Daniels should have been nominated over Lithgow at least. It was the big winning pic of the time so I can see why he won. It's one of those movies that swept the Oscars. I'm mad Debra Winger didn't win for it. I thought she was better than Shirley Maclaine.
sharedana5570^
I think that Rip Torn should've won for 'Cross Creek' (Best Supporting Actor) that year.
I love Nicholson and Daniels did great, but RT's performance was stellar in 'Cross Creek'.
11/16/12: The day the Twinkie died :(
Denise, I never saw that one. I'll have to watch it!
shareIF anything he should have won for freddy got fingered
shareI agree. I think it should've gone to Jeff Daniels. This is probably his best performance. It's a shame the only major acting award he ever got was a saturn award for Arachnophobia.
"You know Parker, I don't think I've made you suffer enough." Green Goblin Spidey TAS
Just because it was Jeff Daniels' best performance makes it an Oscar-worthy performance? LOL! Oscars aren't given out for eye-rolling and being dull and whiny and annoying. There is not one special moment in the performance. Nicholson won because he created a believable and enduring character. The only thing Daniels did was roll his eyes!
shareYes, absolutely. I think they were ready to give him a second, plus the category was terribly weak and he was in the most loved film of the year. I feel Jeff Daniels was better and it was a travesty he wasn't even nominated (first time of many, sadly).
share[deleted]
He over-acts and is so silly. The character is kind of poorly written too. I agree - not a particularly well deserved Oscar.
Even if it means me taking a chubby, I will suck it up! - Tobias Funke
Nicholson's career was somewhat stuck, so he agreed to play a "supporting" role for which he got rewarded. He was the brilliant counter weight to the mostly chick flick. He was a foil for Shirley McLaine, but not in the traditional way. Instead of being a strong leading male character, he was an over the hill burnt out astronaut, the likes of which the McLaine character would scorn and ignore. His final scene where he steps in and offers solace, while still remaining true to his character, was my favorite scene.
share'' His final scene where he steps in and offers solace, while still remaining true to his character, was my favorite scene.''
One of his best ever.
Without Nicholson in it, the movie would be unbearable, literally.
And he delighted everybody by playing a sexual man with a big belly who was still willing to take off his shirt. Lots of middle-aged guys could relate.
One thing I remember when I first saw the film is how often you think he has "left the movie for good" -- and then he comes back.
When he is waiting on the steps of the motel for Aurora...my audience cried.
And then he seems to be gone.
But he turns up at the end to help the more difficult of the sons out. My audience cried.
And that wasn't even part of the cancer death scene tearjerking...
---
Good comedy, too:
First being seen with the too-young for him co-eds who mock his belly...
The hilarious first date with Aurora...
Jack deserved that Oscar. He saved the movie. (In a role turned down by Burt Reynolds, Harrison Ford, and James Garner.)
Little harsh, no? Unbearable?? Shirley Maclaine was near perfect for this role; I think the audience wouldn't have cried if they weren't all rooting for Aurora in the end...and Debra Winger was as likable a character as it gets.
Jack was incredible though. Thank God those others turned it down.
I liked Jack in the movie, but disagree that he saves the movie. Shirley and Debra were both fantastic leads.
shareHow is the film a chick flick?
-------------
Live Deliciously
http://bit.ly/2gD7xFP
I enjoyed Nicholson's character. He brightened things for me. I wasn't too sure what to make of Shirley MacLaine's character. Didn't like her. Didn't hate her.
share[deleted]
I was born in '69 and was 15 when the Oscars were telecast. Nicholson should have never walked away with an award for his performance in this film. Jeff Daniels should have walked away with the Oscar. Now I know why in Nicholson's IMDB profile he made the comment about Terms: I knew I would win the Oscar as soon as I read the script. It was just on Starz the other night and I watched it and didn't find anything noteworthy for him to win a 1984 Oscar for the little screen time he had. The award might as well went for Psycho II!
shareJack Nicholson once again played Jack Nicholson, arrogant, obnoxious and conceited. That stupid scene when he's steering his car with his foot and Aurora is giving the gas at the sea side is just dumb. So out of character for her. Almost ruined the movie for me.
share"Jack Nicholson once again played Jack Nicholson, arrogant, obnoxious and conceited. That stupid scene when he's steering his car with his foot and Aurora is giving the gas at the sea side is just dumb. So out of character for her. Almost ruined the movie for me."
YOU CAN'T HANDLE JACK
My Top 50 Films http://www.imdb.com/list/ls033211402/