On Golden Pond

Lemme see here. Pa and daughter don't get along. Pa is about to croak. They kiss and make up. The only reason I went was to see Henry Fonda and Jane Fonda together.

I liked this film much better the first time I saw it. That may say something about the movie; on the other hand, it may say something about me. First the cinematographer Billy Williams gets a flat A. The shots of the water from "On Golden Pond" literally shimmer. Mr. Williams obviously lay in wait a long time to get the gorgeous footage of the loons as well. And I understand that we are to get the double meaning of "golden," the beautiful pond and the end of life. The plot is simple. Norman (Henry Fonda) and Ethel (Katharine Hepburn) Thayer return to their summer home on Golden Pond to celebrate Norman's 80th birthday, which he decribes as twice as bad as a 40th. They are visited by a distant daughter-- in both geography and family relations-- Chelsea (Jane Fonda). She is accompanied by a new boy friend Bill (Dabney Coleman) and his thirteen-year-old son Billy (Doug McKeon). The conflict has to do with Norman and Chelsea's strained relationship and the contrast between a thirteen-year... Read more

On Golden Pond is great movie of real life character interaction and development. Wonderful message of importance of relationships and ability to accept and forgive ourselves and each other.

I didn't hate this movie, but there is really nothing overly special about anything in it. The characters are cliché ridden and the acting, while universally solid, rarely transcends just that. There is nothing here that begs to be remembered really, and the generic and unrealistic way in which the plot is developed (and quite frankly, the lazy ending) is almost frustrating beings that the center moral concerning the fear of aging deserves a better canvas. The film focuses on a elderly couple, Norman and Ethel Thayer, as they retreat to their cabin on Golden Pond to celebrate Norman's eightieth birthday. Norman is a crotchety old man (cliché) and Ethel is his feisty spirited wife (cliché) and so the two of them make for an interesting pair (or I should say, they would make for an interesting pair had this formula not been used in every movie). Their wayward daughter Chelsea decides to drop by to introduce her parents to her new boyfriend and ask them for a favor. She wants them... Read more

Had to buy this movie on DVD so that I could view it whenever I please. I enjoyed it when it was in the theaters and didn't want to just go away forever.

Thank you for sending it so fast. It got here just in time for a birthday party.

This was probably the last movie Jane Fonda looked great in.  I think maybe Norman, and Ethel should of let Bill and Chelsea have sex in the house for more ratings!

Wonderful thought provoking film and [thankfully] no-one being blown up, chased....not much action but much emotion

Didn't like it. Boring.

Can a movie get any worse than this boring drama? I am sure, but not much !

I really, really, really, wanted to hate this movie. I tried to hate this movie. It has several things I hate: talkative old geezers, Hanoi Jane, and a smartass know-it-all teenager. I thought for sure I would flush it down the toilet. . .this film is well-written, great characters, and a great tribute to Henry Fonda. A very good film that I have to respect.

It was sad to watch this movie and know it is one of the very last for Henry Fonda.Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda were both wonderful as a husband and wife spending a summer at golden pond.Norman is almost 80 and in failing health. His daughter played by jane Fonda comes for a visit with her fiance and his 13 year old son Billy. The daughter and Norman have never been close.so their visit is strained, they leave Billy the 13 year old with Norman and Ethyl while they go to Europe. Billy and Norman develope a friendship. and spend some of the summer fishing.All the actors are good. Henry Fonda won a well deserved oscar for his role. I like the fact that Jane and Henry Fonda real life Daughter and father got a chance to be in a movie together.this is a good movie.with some good scenes.

Very touching movie with two old veterans, Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn. They are both hilarious and heartwarming as the aging couple who are spending another summer in their lake home. The relationship they have, as well as their relationships with their daughter, her fiance, and her soon to be stepson who gets stuck there with them, are all right on target and it all rings true. You can't help but laugh at Henry Fonda, even though he's spouting obscenities half the time.

one of the greatest movies of all time, definitely!

simply wonderful - not much action but charged emotion , seen it several times

Great acting by great old actors. Great script.