Aurora and Emma are mother and daughter who march to different drummers. Beginning with Emma's marriage, Aurora shows how difficult and loving she can be. The movie covers several years of their lives as each finds different reasons to go on living and find joy. Aurora's interludes with Garrett Breedlove, retired astronaut and next door neighbor are quite striking.
Shirley MacLaine | Aurora Greenway | |
Debra Winger | Emma Horton | |
Jack Nicholson | Garrett Breedlove | |
Danny DeVito | Vernon Dahlart | |
Jeff Daniels | Flap Horton | |
John Lithgow | Sam Burns | |
Lisa Hart Carroll | Patsy Clark | |
Betty King | Rosie Dunlop | |
Huckleberry Fox | Teddy Horton | |
Troy Bishop | Tommy Horton | |
Shane Serwin | Younger Tommy Horton | |
Megan Morris | Melanie Horton | |
Tara Yeakey | Baby Melanie | |
Norman Bennett | Edward Johnson | |
Jennifer Josey | Young Emma | |
Kate Charleson | Janice | |
Tom Wees | Dr. Budge | |
Paul Menzel | Dr. Maise | |
F. William Parker | Doctor | |
Amanda Watkins | Meg | |
Buddy Gilbert | Dr. Ratcher | |
David Wohl | Phil | |
Shelley K. Nielsen | Nurse | |
Bette Croissant | Nurse | |
Charles Beall | Rudyard's Employer |
Director | James L. Brooks | |
Writer | Larry McMurtry, James L. Brooks | |
Producer | James L. Brooks, Penney Finkelman Cox, Martin Jurow | |
Musician | Michael Gore | |
Photography | Andrzej Bartkowiak |