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On Golden Pond ReviewsRating: 4 - Really Good! On Golden Pond is a great film about family,love, and death. Henry Fonda plays an aging old man who's losing it, and is afraid of when his death will come. Katherine Hepburn is his wife who is there to set him straight, and comfort him along his way. Jane Fonda is there daughter, who does not get along well with her father, and is bringing her new boyfriend(Dabney Coleman) and his son to Golden Pond. Golden Pond is where there summer house is located, and where the whole story revolves around. When Jane's character arrives with her boyfriend and his son, Henry's character learns the boyfriends son will be living with them, while his father and his girlfriend go away. Here Henry's character learns to become friends with the boy and learn about his ways. For the boy, he enjoys the summer at Golden Pond with the two old folks. Eventually, the father and daughter reconcile. Suddenly the summer is over, and Kate & Henry's characters are ready to leave when a BIG plot Twist comes along. Here is where all of the main themes start to tie in. If you are looking for a good family film with good themes, this is the right one. Hepburn and H. Fonda won Oscars for there roles, respectively. Jane Fonda deserved the Supporting Actress Oscar, as well as the film, which should have won Best Picture. Also, great Directing by Mark Rydell who deserved Best Director. Great performances with a solid story line. Grade A Rating: 5 - Golden Treasure This review refers to the VHS edition ..... Old age and all the problems that go with it, have turned Norman Thayer(Henry Fonda)into a curmudgeon.He is forgetful and thoughts of dieing are foremost in his mind. It doesn't seem to bother his wife Ethel much though(Katherine Hepburn).Always in high spirits and happy to be alive. Her biggest woe is worrying about him. The Thayers are spending their 48th year at their summer home On Golden Pond. It will be Norman's 80th birthday, and joining in the celebration will be their daughter Chelsea(Jane Fonda), who Norman has never been able to connect with emotionally. Chelsea brings with her to the lake her fiance(Dabney Coleman) and his 13 year old son Billy(Doug McKeon)who has some emotional problems of his own. Billy is left to spend the summer with the older couple, which was not what the 13 year old had in mind for a fun vacation.Norman and Billy form an unusal bond over the summer as Ethel watches her husband's renewed zest for life. The film is one of those that the expression "I laughed. I cried" really is true. The story is an emotional rollercoaster, that you'll want to watch over and over.Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn shine and both recieved best Acting awards in 1981 for their on screen magic. All I could see in the scenes with Henry and Jane together was love. Even when their characters were at odds they too loved each other, and managed to work through it.An incredible acting job by the young Doug McKeon, and Coleman excellent as he goes toe to toe with Henry Fonda. The music and the scenery are as beautiful as the movie. The pond with the sun shining, the woodsy areas, the loons ever present, were a joy to watch. Directed by Mark Rydell, who seemed to find the beauty of life. Fonda's last film, he left us with one that we can treasure for years to come. Kick back and enjoy.........Laurie Rating: 5 - On Golden Pond is GOLD! What a great film! I've purchased several DVD movies that ended up just sitting on my shelf collecting dust after 1 or 2 viewings. ON GOLDEN POND is not one of them. This film is a classic that I could watch over and over. I feel the story has some important things to say. It makes you look good and hard at your own life, your own family relationships, and your own fears concerning growing older and death. I like to think I have a deeper understanding and respect for seniors each time I see this picture. Henry Fonda and Kate Hepburn are wonderful and perfectly cast. Great chemistry! Jane Fonda is great too. (I wish she'd start making movies again!) Jane wanted this film made so that she and her Father could act in a picture together before his death. This film is a perfect blend of comedy and serious subjects all rolled into one. If your heart isn't touched by this one, there is no hope for you! I really enjoyed the DVD documentary on the making of the movie. Mark Rydell has a lot of interesting things to say in the director's commentary also. There are interviews with Jane Fonda, Dabney Coleman, Doug McKeon, Mark Rydell, and Ernest Thompson, the author and screenplay writer of ON GOLDEN POND. I wish there had been some sort of interviews with Henry and Kate. I believe the documentary was probably done fairly recently. Everyone looks a little older than they appeared in the movie. Doug McKeon(played 13 year old Billy Ray Jr.) looks to be in his early 30's during his interview. Well... If you are still reading, here is my recommendation.... BUY THIS MOVIE! I really feel I got my money's worth from this DVD.
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