Evening Star, The MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 1/2 Content: -1 1/2

This sequel to the award-winning TERMS OF ENDEARMENT continues the story of matriarch Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine), 15 years after her much-loved daughter died. As guardian to her three rebellious grandchildren, now young adults, Aurora has become, with good reason, a frazzled nervous wreck. Tommy (George Newbern), the oldest, is in prison on drug charges. Teddy (Mackenzie Astin) has recently been released from a mental hospital, while college student Melanie (Juliette Lewis) is experimenting with drugs and sex. Adding to Aurora's woes is Patsy (Miranda Richardson), her daughter's best friend and a wealthy divorcee who struck oil at the altar. Patsy competes with Aurora for Melanie's affection and is not intimidated by Aurora. Amidst this dysfunctional family is Aurora's loyal maid, Rosie (Marion Ross). Rosie arranges for her employer to see family counselor Jerry Bruckner (Bill Paxton), who has a few quirks of his own. Watching Aurora, an overbearing woman with an indomitable spirit, deal with more family problems than a Dalmatian has spots will have audiences both laughing and crying. THE EVENING STAR will not disappoint and MacLaine, who won an Oscar for Terms of Endearment, may garner another nomination for the same role.

While this movie cannot be recommended because of foul language and some sexual content, it gives a powerful statement about loyalty to family and friends. Aurora never misses a week of visiting Tommy in prison in spite of his blatant hate for her, and Melanie takes every opportunity to show contempt for her domineering grandmother. Aurora refuses to give up, finally bringing her family together. While her methods may raise eyebrows, her intentions are solid gold. Unfortunately, this grandmother has a brief but intense love affair with Jerry, who is at least 25 years her junior. Although there are no sex scenes, they are shown in bed together once. Also, Melanie and her boyfriend appear unconcerned when her grandmother walks in on them in bed. The boy even stands up nude, fully exposed to Aurora, although not to the camera. Using this off-color behavior in humorous scenes, along with 11 obscenities and eight regular profanities, significantly tarnishes THE EVENING STAR.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Paramount Communications, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023-7780