Classic Movie Monday: On Golden Pond

Welcome to Classic Movie Monday. Every Monday, I watch a film at least 25 years old that I have never seen before. I will then write my comments on the film, telling you what I thought of it. This is an attempt to beef up my classic film knowledge as well as highlight some forgotten gems of Hollywood's heyday. So without further ado...

On Golden Pond
Released: December 4, 1981
Directed by: Mark Rydell
Starring: Henry Fonda, Katherine Hepburn, & Jane Fonda

Plot in a Nutshell:
An aging couple, Norman and Ethel (H. Fonda & Hepburn), spend a summer in their house on Golden Pond. When their daughter (J. Fonda) comes for a Norman's 80th birthday, she brings her boyfriend and his son. Norman and Ethel's tranquil time together gets interrupted when the young, unsettled teen son stays behind to spend time with them.

What I thought:
"What a sweet old couple." That's about all I can say after watching this picture. Yeah there's other stuff happening. The cranky old professor with a hardened heart softens up by hanging around a young teenager. The unloved daughter trying to reconnect with her estranged Father. And then there's the couple of old koots who have lived so long together, that their bond has surpassed all Earthly meaning.

The film's greatest feature is the chemistry and strength of Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda's performances. Never have I seen such a relationship portrayed in film so well. Even though they are only on screen for less than two hours, you get a sense of a lifetime of memories and experiences. These two bring so much joy and love to this couple, it is quite an impressive thing to watch.

As I said before, there are some other things thrown in, but the elements of parental acceptance and bridging the generation gap don't hold up here as well as the bond the two main characters share. Together they have always been, and together they will always be, facing down there own imminent mortality side by side.

Bottom Line:
A fantastic picture featuring genuine love in its golden years, topped by brilliant performances and chemistry.

A

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