Rating: 
Summary: A modern classic
Review: Not all the classics are old. On Golden Pond deserves to be ranked among the great movies of all time. The acting is superb. Katharine Hepburn turns in perhaps the greatest performance of her sensational career. I've never seen Henry Fonda this great either. It's the chemistry between them that brings out the best in both. I don't think of Jane Fonda as one of the finest actresses of all time, but she does a terrific job here surrounded by her father and the world's greatest actress. It's all so believable, so real and touching. Movies from the 40s really have nothing on this.
Rating:
Summary: No one can replace Henry Fonda's performance!
Review: Not even could Christopher Plummer who's performance in the live stage version was good, but not as good as Fonda! In his final film which earned him the Academy Award, Henry Fonda plays the retired Prof. Norman Thayer Jr. Thayer and his wife Ethel (wonderfully played by Katherine "the great" Hepburn) decide to have a birthday celebration at the family lake, and hope to reconcile the bond with their daughter Chelsie (Jane Fonda)! What made me like the film so well was obviously Henry Fonda's character as he deals with the fear of turning 80. Just watching Norman go through these obstacles really made me cry because it's so heart-wrenching to have a person you admire go through all of this! He would almost be like the grandfather you really love, and who you would hate to lose without having a relationship with them. In the end, Chelsea and Norman finally rekindle the bond of a father and daughter relationship. One of the finest movies ever made with one of the finest actors of all time.
Rating: 
Summary: Really Good!
Review: 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:
Summary: An All-Star Cast for a 5 Star Movie
Review: On Golden Pond is a movie that speaks about many things: the anger an older person feels at growing old and becoming forgetful, the feelings that can be carried around from childhood, the love between a husband and wife, the connections to be made through age and youth, and reconciliation. Henry Fonda stars as the aging Norman Thayer. With age, Norman has begun to experience forgetfulness and heart angina. Competent of the fact that he's becoming slower and more forgetful, Norman is can come across as an irritable, jaded, and sarcastic man. This is his defense mechanism to overcome the frustration he's feeling. Norman has a loving wife Ethyl who is patient with him but also isn't afraid to rebuke him when he's out of line. At the request of their daughter, Norman and Ethyl allow a young boy to stay with them (the boy of their daughter's new boyfriend) for the summer. This turns into an experience where an old and young man connect and develop a friendship that helps Norman. Through their experiences together, Norman gets to see how his actions have begun to affect people and you start to see a different person emerge. The story is dramatic, powerful, touching, and beautiful. Movies like this are indeed rare and should be treasured. It's great that this is finally available on DVD. The clarity is excellent as well as the sound. Buy this movie, and remind yourself of some of the wonderful things in life---and don't hold back the tears....it's pointless.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful!
Review: On Golden Pond is a terrific movie, it is a drama but has a few funny lines especially from Henry Fonda. The acting from the whole cast is great but especially, Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn and Jane Fonda. The plot is wonderful and the outdoor scenery is beautiful, especially that lake, it looks so peaceful! My cousin used to live near where they filmed this movie and she said it is a beautiful place and it was fun watching them film the location scenes. I recommend this movie and I can't wait for the new widescreen DVD to be released!
Rating:
Summary: On Golden Pond
Review: On Golden Pond is filmed in New Hampshire and so eliquently portrays the lifestyle of many who vacation there year after year. The simple cries of the loons, most often heard at night, are a true part of life "on golden pond". The spirt, as well, is something that surrounds one's soul, making this movie a classic for anyone who has experienced this lake first hand.
Rating:
Summary: On Golden Pond is amazing!
Review: On Golden Pond is one of the most spectacular films in the entertainment business. I have been in the actual play, playing Billy Ray, and understand what a wonderful impact it will have on its viewers. It has been the most powerful script I have ever worked with. I recommend all close, or not so close, families should see this movie. It will help bring them together. Henry Fonda plays his best part ever, and Jane Fonda is absolutely splendid. On Golden Pond will always be a special part in my life, and I will treasure the time I spent on it. I'm sure you will feel the same way once you have shared this wonderful experience with your family.
Rating:
Summary: A Family Treasure
Review: Our family viewed the original VHS version and purchased same. The film is without a doubt awe inspiring. I was 56 years of age at the time, and Henry Fonda has the look of my father at that age. I received the Special Edition DVD as a Christmas gift. I shall treasure it to the end of my days. The SE edition is far superior in sound and photography to the VHS print. Dave Grusin couldn't have done a better job with the musical score. I didn't know of the existance of Dave Grusin until my children made me aware of his talent.
The casting is brilliant. Even Jane, despite her detractors.
This play/movie is unique. If you can't relate to some part of "On Golden Pond," you are intellectually or emotionally bankrupt.
If this movie is part of your collection, the DVD SE edition is a must.
Some of the lines have become part of our family lexicon. i.e. "It's me you old poop." "You made a hell of a mess."
Rating:
Summary: FAREWELL ADDRESS
Review: Powerful cast delivers sensitive performance of life's twilight. Melancholy from start to finish, film shows what it iswe all have to fear; and does so with courage and dignity. We see the passing of the torch, the apologia's, love, denial, acceptance, grief, and forgiveness. Yet it was the humourous backdrop that forced tears from my eye. I think it takes a measure of maturity to truly appreciate this film. As a young adult,I saw it in its theatrical release...and it scared me.
Rating:
Summary: The masterpiece of Mark Rydell
Review: Rydell made an eloquent film about the timeless generational conficts among the members of a family during a fateful summer with majestic locations as superb background .
Haunting portrait written for Ernest Thompson counted with a memorable casting: Katherine Hepburn , Henry Fonda , Jane Fonda supported by a remarkable moving camera and best photography .
To my mind there are been so few times of the American Cinema had been able to carry on screen such interesting and moving drama with a visible European style , stylized script and above all a mature theme with such perfection and artistic level . You should go back in time until 1971 with the Last Picture Show , The Miracle worker in 1962 , Marty in 1955 and It's a wonderful life in 1946 to name the most remarkable pictures which deal with familiar problems telling an absorbing and original story .
The film is a summer breeze but also a prudent warning for three different generations , I mean the whole cycle of the man .
Magnificence in its most sincere significance.
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