MacLaine won for her career and not for the film.
"Terms of Endearment" was Wingers film from start to finish. Her performance is what made the film seem fresh and new back in 1983 and still makes it feel fresh now. It's one of the best examples of great film acting there is.
But Winger was still considered a new comer at the time whereas MacLaine had been around for so long. Many believed that Winger was going to win eventually so giving it to MacLaine felt right.

Thanks for sharing that. I didn't remember that Jane Alexander had been nominated. Shirley MacLaine is my favorite actress (hands down), but if Jane Alexander had won, I wouldn't have faulted anyone. Testament was a very great movie and Jane Alexander did as good a job as anyone could've done. It's too bad that they both couldn't win that year.
It was fun to watch that speech and see a glimpse of Jack Nicholson looking his best, too.

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She was brilliant and that was one of her best performances but I thought that Debra Winger was a more deserving winner.
This is - excuse me - a damn fine cup of coffee.

Mehthe Oscars are so rarely about the best performance for that year but rather who is due their recognition (something that bugs the crap out of me).
I hate Sophie's Choice but Meryl really gave one of the best performances of all time in that movie.
I have watched Terms a few times again, and while both McClaine and Winger are awesome, I personally thought Winger gave a more nuanced performance in a complex role. She goes through EVERY emotion during her short life, and Winger stole every scene she was in. What an awesome performance.
Too bad Winger turned out to be a kook. Would have loved to see her in more.
Even if it means me taking a chubby, I will suck it up! - Tobias Funke

Thanks for posting the link to the YouTube video of Shirley's Oscar acceptance speech. I just watched it and cried while watching it because I think it is one of the few times when the actress who deserved to win the Best Actress Oscar actually won it.
Ms. MacLaine was so perfect in her portrayal of Aurora Greenway. Her scenes, especially the ones with Jack Nicholson, were the best part of the movie. I have seen this movie at least 30 times and enjoy watching it every time.
IMO, in an ideal world, an actress wouldn't win the Best Actress Oscar unless her performance was of the same caliber as Shirley MacLaine's in Terms of Endearment.

Debra Winger should have won!
But I have no problem with Maclaine's win.

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Great speech from a even greater actress.

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I think so too. Her role in the movie was bigger, and she was fantastic at playing it. I still think about the scene where she yells at her son to "wait over by the car, honey. NOW! NOW! NOW!"

Maclaine is a screen legend and so was a favorite to win.
Its that man again!!

My bias may be towards the fact that I find 'Frances' a more watchable film. I have to be in the mood for 'Sophie's Choice'.I find the Stingo character most annoying and the film is sloooooooow! I do also find Streep more calculating and mannered in her portrayal although I do admit it was an extremly skilled performance. Lange completely inhibited her role.
Some years as in 82' and 83' it is a difficult decision to make due to the myriad of strong performances both nominated and un-nominated.

Streep rightfully won for Sophie's Choice, and the following year gave another brilliant performance.
I liked Shirley in this movie, but, I do feel it was "about time" Oscar though.

Personally, I feel Winger had a slight edge over Maclaine. Maclaine's role seemed more of a personality trait, where as Winger's role appeared more technically complexa feat which she nailed with the goodbye scene to her sons.
Of the nominess though I would have given it to Streep for Silkwood had she not won the year before for 'Sophie's Choice. The award that year really belonged to Jessica Lange for 'Frances.

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i think debra winger deserved to win for "terms" more
"they should give nicole kidman an oscar for being able to show any emotion after THAT much botox".