Taglines: when life is at its finest…when love is at its fullest…
On Golden Pond movie storyline. The loons are back again on Golden Pond and so are Norman Thayer, a retired professor, and Ethel who have had a summer cottage there since early in their marriage. This summer their daughter Chelsea — whom they haven’t seen for years — feels she must be there for Norman’s birthday. She and her fiance are on their way to Europe the next day but will be back in a couple of weeks to pick up the fiance’s son. When she returns Chelsea is married and her stepson has the relationship with her father that she always wanted. Will father and daughter be able to communicate at last?
On Golden Pond is a 1981 American drama film directed by Mark Rydell. The screenplay by Ernest Thompson was adapted from his 1979 play of the same name. The film stars Katharine Hepburn and Henry Fonda (in his final acting performance) in the lead roles along with Jane Fonda, Doug McKeon, Dabney Coleman and William Lanteau appearing in supporting roles.
The film’s narrative revolves around an aged couple, cantankerous retiree Norman Thayer and his conciliatory wife Ethel, who spend summers at their New England vacation home on the shores of idyllic Golden Pond. This year, their adult daughter, Chelsea, visits with her new fiancé and his teenage son, Billy, on their way to Europe. After leaving Billy behind to bond with Norman, Chelsea returns, attempting to repair the long-strained relationship with her aging father before it’s too late.
On Golden Pond was released theatrically on December 4, 1981 and grossed $119.3 million domestically, becoming the second highest-grossing film of 1981. The film received critical acclaim for Rydell’s direction, Thompson’s screenplay and Hepburn and Fonda’s performances.
The film received ten nominations at the 54th Academy Awards including Best Picture and won three: Best Actor (Henry Fonda), Best Actress (Hepburn) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Thompson). Henry Fonda won his only competitive Oscar with this film and at the age of 76 became the oldest winner in the Best Actor category, while Katharine Hepburn won her fourth Best Actress award, extending her own record for the most Oscars won by a thespian. On Golden Pond is also one of the few movies to earn the nominations for the Big Five Academy Awards (Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Screenplay).
About the Story
An aging couple, Ethel and Norman Thayer, continue the long tradition of spending each summer at their cottage on a lake called Golden Pond, in the far reaches of northern New England. When they first arrive, Ethel notices the loons calling on the lake “welcoming them home”. As they resettle into their summer home, Norman’s memory problems arise when he is unable to recognize several family photographs, which he copes with by frequently talking about death and growing old.
They are visited by their only child, daughter Chelsea, who is somewhat estranged from her curmudgeon of a father. She introduces her parents to her fiancé Bill and his thirteen-year-old son Billy. Norman tries to play mind games with Bill, an apparent pastime of his, but Bill won’t hear of it, saying he can only take so much. In another conversation, Chelsea discusses with Ethel her frustration over her relationship with her overbearing father, feeling that even though she lives thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, she still feels like she’s answering to him.
Before they depart for a European vacation, Chelsea and Bill ask the Thayers to permit Billy to stay with them while they have some time to themselves. Norman, seeming more senile and cynical than usual due to his 80th birthday and heart palpitations, agrees to Billy’s staying. Ethel tells him that he’s the sweetest man in the world, but she is the only one who knows it.
Billy is at first annoyed by being left with elderly strangers with no friends nearby and nothing to do. He resents Norman’s brusque manner, but eventually comes to enjoy their Golden Pond fishing adventures together. Billy and Norman soon grow obsessed with catching Norman’s fish rival, named “Walter”, which leads to the accidental destruction of the Thayers’ motorboat.
Chelsea returns to find out her father has made good friends with her fiancé’s, now husband’s, son. When she sees the change in her father’s demeanor, Chelsea attempts something Billy accomplished that she never could: a backflip. Chelsea successfully executes the dive in front of a cheering Norman, Billy, and Ethel. Chelsea and Norman finally fully embrace before she departs with Billy back home.
On Golden Pond (1981)
Directed by: Mark Rydell
Starring: Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, Doug McKeon, Dabney Coleman, William Lanteau, Christopher Rydell, Troy Garity
Screenplay by: Ernest Thompson
Production Design by: Stephen B. Grimes
Cinematography by: Billy Williams
Film Editing by: Robert L. Wolfe
Costume Design by: Dorothy Jeakins
Set Decoration by: Jane Bogart
Music by: Dave Grusin
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Universal Pictures, Associated Film Distribution
Release Date: December 4, 1981
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