On Golden Pond

1981 "When life is at its finest... when love is at its fullest..."
7.6| 1h49m| PG| en| More Info
Released: 04 December 1981 Released
Producted By: Universal Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

For Norman and Ethel Thayer, this summer on golden pond is filled with conflict and resolution. When their daughter Chelsea arrives, the family is forced to renew the bonds of love and overcome the generational friction that has existed for years.

Genre

Drama, Romance

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Director

Mark Rydell

Production Companies

Universal Pictures

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On Golden Pond Audience Reviews

Listonixio Fresh and Exciting
Invaderbank The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.
Kirandeep Yoder The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.
Matylda Swan It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.
bombersflyup On Golden Pond was a showcase of great acting, great characters of age. A bit fluffy at times, but pleasant.Katherine Hepburn in particular was wonderful. Chelsea was a bit annoying and maybe in the right, but not likable. The kid, while not annoying only really retracted from the good in the film, as all the best moments were of Ethel and Norman. The plot is supposed to be about a daughter's relationship with her father, but Jane comes for her father's birthday and they just argue, she leaves for a while leaving the kid there, the kid forms a bond with him, Jane comes back and now they will just get on because she wants them too. Nothing was resolved, the ending was silly. If the entire film had of been just Ethel and Norman, I think I would of loved it.
Kirpianuscus It seems weird to say something about this film. because it is source of states, emotions, delicate touches, cold war, admirable pledge for family, a meeting, almost magic, between Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda and, in few scenes, great clash between realism and nostalgia. a film who gives the measure of things, out of masks, appearences or expectations. because its subject is the fair form of happiness, the peace of past and the essence of the life of an old couple. a film like a precious remember. about yourself.
John Brooks This here is an interesting film. It's got good dialogue, good acting, interesting relatable relationship themes, makes for a poignant take on life and death, and provides the framework as a story and plot and film ultimately to deliver those strong points.But I believe it's overrated in how this was cinema giant Henry Fonda's last gig, added his own real-life daughter plays the role of his daughter in the film and had other cinema-legend Katharine Hepburn playing alongside him...this film has harvested more credit than is due (thanks to status).It's a good film, but it's flawed. It's not nearly as powerful and profound a story or experience as one would have you think, like, at all - and is trying to establish more than its frame can intrinsically handle. There's as if a shortcut between what the film-makers meant to establish as far as morality and ideas and themes, and what actually happens. Like there's too much intended for too little in the story. You need to provide the items in the plot to produce those big powerful moments, and the film only settles for fairly underwhelming events.Good film, but not great. 7/10.
Timothy Shary There is little dispute about the greatness of this movie, so I wanted to comment on the DVD extras from the 2003 "special edition" which, as far as I know, is the most recent release.You'll find audio commentaries by the director and the writer, both thorough and enjoyable, although the director is a little too proud of his work.There is a short doc on Katherine Hepburn, made for this edition and not long after she passed away, which contains a lot of great images and appreciation of her, but it's nothing too special.What is special is the short doc "Reflections on Golden Pond", which features the cinematographer and much of the crew, and really delves into the beautiful natural lighting of the picture. Better yet, the crew talks in specific detail about how they achieved certain effects for this entirely on-location film, long before digital made the beauty of movies so damn fake. You may look at 'Golden Pond' and think it's rather sweet and simple, but they when you watch this doc you realize just how much thought and work went into making it look so right. I teach film studies, so I'm always recommending material like this for students to learn more about the filmmaking process. It's so nice to watch a classic film and enjoy it on its own, and then learn more about how it was made.