On Golden Pond (A or 4/4 stars)
'On Golden Pond' (directed by Mark Rydell) is a 3-time Academy Award-winning, poignant family conflict drama from 1981 that centers on a retired, elderly couple living on the lapping shores of the idyllic titular pond. The film begins with the return of Norman & Ethel Thayer (Henry Fonda in his final film & Katharine Hepburn) to their New England cottage -- it will be their 48th & potentially final summer there. Norman is lovingly cantankerous & a touch pessimistic, while Ethel is ebullient & chock full of life. Their only child, Chelsea (Jane Fonda, Henry's real-life daughter), returns after several yrs. to Golden Pond with her fiance (Dabney Coleman) & his 13 yr. old son, Billy (Doug McKeon) for her death-obsessed father's 80th birthday party.
Chelsea & her fiance head-off to Europe, leaving Billy with her parents for the summer. Norman has increasing memory lapses & heart problems. So seeing his estranged daughter, being dumped with a testy 13 yr. old, and dealing with his conciliatory wife all adds to his elderly frustrations. However, attitudes begin to change & evolve for every character -- love maintains & even grows. Norman cuts through Billy's tough veneer and, they find common ground. Now inseparable, they both hope to catch 'Walter', the supposed biggest fish in the pond. Billy becomes the son that he never had, and that both pleases & upsets Chelsea {now back from Europe}, who always longed for the close relationship with her father that she never had. She can only hope to repair their strained relationship before it is too late. Family conflicts subside, a health crisis occurs, & Norman & Ethel prophetically say goodbye at summer's end to the loons ... on Golden Pond.
This movie tells a simple story {based on a play}, but the script is deft, the cinematography is painterly gorgeous, and it is BRILLIANTLY acted. Really, 'On Golden Pond' is a sort of farewell to 2 of the all-time greats in the industry, particularly Fonda, as he would pass away roughly one year later. Finally winning a competitive Oscar for this role, Henry Fonda is humorous, heartfelt & simply wonderful as our cranky, sarcastic Norman; a man who desperately wants more from a life that is slipping away from him. Katharine Hepburn is superb as adoring Ethel; winning another Oscar of her own. She always finds ways to touch the audience. And at age 74, watching the always athletic Hepburn dive off the bow of a boat is just glorious to watch.
Jane Fonda is great, as well. The back story of Jane & Henry Fonda's history together as father & daughter parallels the characters and richness to their dubious scenes together, which makes their final time onscreen all-the-more bittersweet. When Chelsea begs for her father's love on the dock ... it is easy to see how Jane Fonda was talking straight to her father, and not Norman -- beautiful moment. When Henry was too ill to attend the Academy Awards, Jane accepted the award onstage & that moment captured on TV for millions to see was something to behold.
The main theme touched upon in this classic is: fear. Fear of love; of growing old; of family dysfunction; of 'taking a chance'; and of death. Norman & the rest grapple with all this and, to varying extents, overcome those fears. One of my favorite scenes is a heart-to-heart btwn. Ethel & daughter Chelsea about her estrangement from her dad. Ethel's sage advice: 'forget the past and get on living in the present'. We all should take that advice -- to grow, and to come to terms with loved ones ... before it is too late. 'On Golden Pond' may be a touch cloying & soppy {audiences didn't mind, the film was a big hit}. But I checked my cynicism at the door and found this to be an extremely uplifting, warm & touching experience. Movie magic, I always say.
Chelsea & her fiance head-off to Europe, leaving Billy with her parents for the summer. Norman has increasing memory lapses & heart problems. So seeing his estranged daughter, being dumped with a testy 13 yr. old, and dealing with his conciliatory wife all adds to his elderly frustrations. However, attitudes begin to change & evolve for every character -- love maintains & even grows. Norman cuts through Billy's tough veneer and, they find common ground. Now inseparable, they both hope to catch 'Walter', the supposed biggest fish in the pond. Billy becomes the son that he never had, and that both pleases & upsets Chelsea {now back from Europe}, who always longed for the close relationship with her father that she never had. She can only hope to repair their strained relationship before it is too late. Family conflicts subside, a health crisis occurs, & Norman & Ethel prophetically say goodbye at summer's end to the loons ... on Golden Pond.
This movie tells a simple story {based on a play}, but the script is deft, the cinematography is painterly gorgeous, and it is BRILLIANTLY acted. Really, 'On Golden Pond' is a sort of farewell to 2 of the all-time greats in the industry, particularly Fonda, as he would pass away roughly one year later. Finally winning a competitive Oscar for this role, Henry Fonda is humorous, heartfelt & simply wonderful as our cranky, sarcastic Norman; a man who desperately wants more from a life that is slipping away from him. Katharine Hepburn is superb as adoring Ethel; winning another Oscar of her own. She always finds ways to touch the audience. And at age 74, watching the always athletic Hepburn dive off the bow of a boat is just glorious to watch.
Jane Fonda is great, as well. The back story of Jane & Henry Fonda's history together as father & daughter parallels the characters and richness to their dubious scenes together, which makes their final time onscreen all-the-more bittersweet. When Chelsea begs for her father's love on the dock ... it is easy to see how Jane Fonda was talking straight to her father, and not Norman -- beautiful moment. When Henry was too ill to attend the Academy Awards, Jane accepted the award onstage & that moment captured on TV for millions to see was something to behold.
The main theme touched upon in this classic is: fear. Fear of love; of growing old; of family dysfunction; of 'taking a chance'; and of death. Norman & the rest grapple with all this and, to varying extents, overcome those fears. One of my favorite scenes is a heart-to-heart btwn. Ethel & daughter Chelsea about her estrangement from her dad. Ethel's sage advice: 'forget the past and get on living in the present'. We all should take that advice -- to grow, and to come to terms with loved ones ... before it is too late. 'On Golden Pond' may be a touch cloying & soppy {audiences didn't mind, the film was a big hit}. But I checked my cynicism at the door and found this to be an extremely uplifting, warm & touching experience. Movie magic, I always say.