On Golden Pond

On Golden Pond Review



Overall 5.00 of 5 (by 1 user)
 




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RudiXeno
Boca Raton, FL

I'm Rudi Xeno and I'm a Romantic

5 star rating

watching with kids, into movies that tell a great story, Rudi Xeno, movie buff
Pros

    Doug McKeon almost steals the movie, Great cinematography, Great acting, Henry Fonda at his best, Katherine Hepburn, need I say more?, Jane Fonda, Dabney Coleman, vulnerable


FEB
26
2008
 
 
 

On Golden Pond — 

Okay, so the truth is out. Rudi Xeno is a "degenerate romantic". Hey, we deserve our own 12-Step Program don't we? But then, why should I want to "recover"?

But we're here to talk about On Golden Pond, a movie that I judge to be one of the great love stories of all time. A love story? Yes, a story of deep enduring love.

Norman and Ethel Thayer have been summering on Golden Pond all of their years together. You have a sense that both Ethel and Norman know that this is probably going to be one of, if not their final summer on the Pond.

Norman, played by Henry Fonda is a crotchety old guy, held in check by his wife Ethel (Katherine Hepburn). Although they constantly spar with one another, their deep love for each other is readily apparent.

So, they're at the lake. Add to this equation the sudden appearance of daughter Chelsea (Jane Fonda), her boyfriend Bill, played by a surprisingly vulnerable Dabney Coleman and his spoiled rotten son, Billy (Doug McKeon).

The estrangement between Norman and Chelsea is center stage, mirroring the estrangement of Henry and Jane in real life. For the next two hours we watch the healing process as Norman's frostiness is thawed by his developing relationship with Billy. And it's through this relationship that Chelsea is able to find the ability to confront Norman with the grievances she's been carrying for a lifetime.

Through all of this, Ethel is the glue that holds them all together. Each character added so precisely to this film.

Both Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn won Best Leading Actor awards for their performances.  The movie, which was based on the book by Ernest Thompson could not defeat Chariots of Fire for Best Movie of 1981.

The cinematography was wonderful. New England at its best.

My Viewpoint
It's hard to imagine not having a lump in your throat by the end of this movie. And it's hard to miss that these two octogenarians taught us something about love stories. If you haven't already, see this movie. If you have, see it again. And, by the way, it's a great make-up movie.

Regards,
Rudi



I_thumb_up On Golden Pond is recommended by RudiXeno

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I_comment_shdw24 Comments about RudiXeno’s Review

 


kygolden wrote on Jul 19, 2008 at 2:33AM

I absolutely love this movie (and your review). I often think of this movie when I see an older person doing something that drives me crazy, like driving the wrong way down a one way lane! Hepburn is my ideal!

gitbean wrote on Apr 13, 2008 at 6:56PM

A true CLASSIC.....great review!!

PattyTherre wrote on Feb 29, 2008 at 10:24PM

I love this movie but don't like Jane Fonda's whiny portrayal of her character. Everyone else is great in it. I adore the scenery and the interplay between Fonda, Hepburn, and Billy. Awww, Rudi's romantic!

DeafMom wrote on Feb 27, 2008 at 4:47PM

I forgot all about this movie! Loved it!

CrystaBush wrote on Feb 27, 2008 at 1:57PM

OH Rudi...if there were only more romantic men out there.......

Great review!

AmyA wrote on Feb 27, 2008 at 11:51AM

I am a huge Katherine Hepburn fan and always will be. I loved her in this movie. Everyone in this movie did a great job. I know what you are saying about that lump in the throat...get it every time I watch it!

bkovacs wrote on Feb 26, 2008 at 8:51PM

You didn't mention that Jane Fonda looked absolutely killer in this movie, probably as a result of her exercise videos. It's my understanding that Henry and Jane Fonda were not particularly estranged, and I read recently that Henry was much more liberal than people might think from the characters he played. In fact, his politics were similar to Jane's... or so I've read. Anyway, very nice review!

--Bob

kid-kansas wrote on Feb 26, 2008 at 5:04PM

This is a Great Movie! Seeing Henry and Jane Fonda together in a filom did my heart good and I love this movie. ;) Ron

Rainmaker wrote on Feb 26, 2008 at 12:51PM

It was so nice to have such wonderful actors in this film and also nice that when Jane finally worked with her father, the result was such a lovely film.

mrkstvns wrote on Feb 26, 2008 at 12:50PM

A classic flick! Loved Fonda and Hepburn in this one...

Jolie wrote on Feb 26, 2008 at 11:50AM

I loved this movie too!!!!!!!!!!!! Love the title. Cracked me up.


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