James L. Brooks' award-winning drama about the volatile relationship between the over-bearing Aurora (Shirley MacLaine) and Emma (Debra Winger), the daughter who cannot wait to escape her clutches. The story covers 30 years, ranging from Emma's late-teens to her marriage to Flap Horton (Jeff Daniels), Aurora's difficulties facing her new role as a grandmother and her relationship with Garrett Breedlove (Jack Nicholson), an ex-astronaut who is constantly searching for excitement in his life. The cast also includes John Lithgow, Bobo Lewis and Danny DeVito.