A belated 1996 sequel to 1983’s Terms of Endearment, this takes up the story of Aurora Greenaway (Shirley MacLaine) 15 years after the death of her daughter. Based, like its predecessor, on a Larry McMurtry novel, the film is written and directed by Robert Harling (the author of Steel Magnolias, making his directorial debut). Moments of honest sentiment alternate with moments of strained sitcom; the film doesn’t have much rhythm, but the actors keep it watchable. With Bill Paxton, Juliette Lewis, Miranda Richardson, Ben Johnson, Scott Wolf, George Newbern, Marion Ross, Mackenzie Astin, Donald Moffat, and a cameo by Jack Nicholson. (JR)