La maison du lac

There is a film like this very rarely and indeed it works like we actually do know the Thayers. Indeed we can most certainly relate to Henry Fonda while Katharine Hepburn is more then an incredible actress. In this film the mix of drama and comedy from her as a character shows why she won that record breaking fourth Oscar statuette. I'll just say the story in a nutshell. Jane Fonda and her father did not get along. Jane, however wanted one last chance for a close bond to her father and bought the rights to the play "On Golden Pond." In the film the Oscar winning performance by Henry Fonda (his only in a career spanning decades.) Jane fully deserved her Oscar nomination for her exceptional (and of course very realistic performance.) In the actual film the chemistry of Hepburn and (Henry) Fonda is perfect. This film really to try to put into words is a really touching gem that makes you feel so uplifted. Your spirits soar and any relationship that can be amended and is anywhere near as strong in the film (From Hepburn and Fonda) shows us what acting can do. Oscars abound, critical praise and very likely the last of the old fashioned melodramas (Mainly because acting has moved on a generation from these sorts of films.) The sentiment and feel is perfectly placed and the storeys clicked so much like the Fonda Father- Daughter relationship. It is a warm intelligent character based film that i would advise everyone to see at once!

I grew up in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, and was there when this movie was being filmed. It was really quite the local event. On Golden Pond not only showcases the stunning scenery of that region, but Henry Fonda & Kate Hepburn's dynamic performances truly capture the New England spirit. I can't tell you how many Ethel Thayers I met growing up! There were three lakes used in the filming. Squam-where the cabin was. Newfound-where Henry fell into the water while fishing, among other shots, and Winnipesaukeee, for most of the aerial shots, and the mail boat. While they did combine the lakes into the fictitious `Golden Pond', what you see on the screen is what those places look like. No post-production trickery here. There haven't been a ton of New England movies made. Good Will Hunting and Perfect Storm got a lot of attention, but On Golden Pond, in addition to being one of the finest character studies in film history, perfectly captures New England: beautiful, contemplative, with an understanding that newer isn't necessarily better, and that still waters truly run deep.

The loons are back again on Golden Pond and so are Norman Thayer (Henry Fonda), a retired professor, and Ethel (Kate Hepburn) who have had a summer cottage there since early in their marriage. This summer their daughter Chelsea (Jane Fonda) -- whom they have not seen for years -- feels she must be there for Norman's birthday. This film is a poor excuse for a multiple-Oscar winner. The 1980s in general were not a great decade for American films (at least the critical ones -- the decade excelled at pop culture). But this just screams "lifetime achievement", thanking Hepburn and Fonda, knowing they brought great work to the screen and may never do so again. The film itself is alright, with a nice story about generations growing apart and trying to reconcile that. It is not as memorable as it seems it should be, but a good film, just the same.

A few things struck me while I was watching "On Golden Pond". The obvious thing was the co-starring of two generations of Fondas. I understand that Henry Fonda and Jane Fonda hadn't been on the best terms due to her political activism in the '60s, and so this movie was a sort of reconciliation for both of them. As for the plot, the movie comes across as a "nice movie" that you can take the kids to see. Katharine Hepburn's "knight in shining armor" quote pretty much sums up the movie's feeling. I'm not saying that it's a bad movie, just a little too fluffy. It's a surprise seeing Jane Fonda and Dabney Coleman play wife and husband, since they had just played enemies in "9 to 5". Basically, it's a watchable movie, but not any sort of masterpiece. Probably worth seeing once. So strange to think that Henry Fonda won an Academy Award for the role and died a few months later.

On Golden Pond is the film version of a major stage play by the same name. On Golden Pond has three of cinema's best performances by Henry Fonda, Katherin Hepburn, and Jane Fonda. I had expected good performances by Henry Fonda, who was also amazing in 12 Angry Men, and Hepburn, who has been amazing more times to count. The one great performance I wasn't counting on was Jane Fonda who from what I had seen before now seemed to have inherited none of her fathers talent. She was brilliant in a fairly small roll as the estranged daughter of Hepburn and Henry Fonda. The script and direction are also very fine and very close to the play. The cinematography and score are also brilliant. On Golden Pond is also surprisingly hilarious and is very heartfelt.

The loons are back again on Golden Pond and so are Norman Thayer (Henry Fonda), a retired professor, and Ethel (Kate Hepburn) who have had a summer cottage there since early in their marriage. This summer their daughter Chelsea (Jane Fonda) -- whom they have not seen for years -- feels she must be there for Norman's birthday. This film is a poor excuse for a multiple-Oscar winner. The 1980s in general were not a great decade for American films (at least the critical ones -- the decade excelled at pop culture). But this just screams "lifetime achievement", thanking Hepburn and Fonda, knowing they brought great work to the screen and may never do so again. The film itself is alright, with a nice story about generations growing apart and trying to reconcile that. It is not as memorable as it seems it should be, but a good film, just the same.

I was expecting a very boring movie. All I thought about this was a couple of old people sitting around talking at some cabin. I was way off. This film is quite the opposite. Things do happen that make this movie well worth watching. Henry Fonda is excellent and made me laugh really hard with his sarcastic answers to many questions. I do believe Jane Fonda was not in the film enough. Of course we can't go without mentioning Katherine Hepburn. She is one of the greats and this film has proof. This is a film I would definitely recommend to others. It is light hearted and dramatic all at the same time. Watch this film it will entertain you.