Review of On Golden Pond

Introduction

This is probably an unwise thing to admit as a reviewer, but I tend to avoid Oscar winners. Of the nearly 80 Best Pictures that have been awarded over the years, I have seen only 18 from start to finish, a couple of them before they were even nominated. But there is something about the trite phrases, "career defining performance", "heartfelt", "tugs at the heartstrings", and other similar platitudes that just put me off. Hollywood`s annual backslapping usually has me putting on my `righteous indignation` face when I see what films and actors have been snubbed. On Golden Pond didn`t win Best Picture in 1981, but both Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda did pick up statuettes for their performances, and consequently I have been avoiding the film ever since. No longer though, as Prism Entertainment are re-releasing it, and a copy ends up in my player waiting for review.

Norman Thayer Jr. and his wife Ethel are in their golden years and spend their summers at their lakeside house at Golden Pond. This summer is somewhat special, as Norman is celebrating his eightieth birthday, and their daughter Chelsea is coming to visit. She`s also bringing her new dentist boyfriend and his son Billy Ray. Norman is beginning to feel the years though, and his memory is beginning to go. His relationship with his daughter is none too steady either. Chelsea has a favour to ask of her parents though, she and the dentist wish to take some time to themselves in Europe, and would like to leave Billy Ray with them over the summer. The cantankerous old couple find themselves saddled with a recalcitrant teen for four weeks.

Video

I received On Golden Pond on a single layer DVD-R, but in terms of specification, it seems identical to the previous Carlton release, and will probably be identical to the final release product.

This means that the picture is a creaky 1.85: 1 letterbox transfer, with some distinctly zoom-unfriendly subtitles. The picture itself is beginning to show its age, with grain prevalent, darker scenes lacking contrast and definition, and the resolution on the soft side. While there is some print damage, the transfer itself exhibits moiré and fine detail is prone to pixellation. On the whole the image is acceptable for a budget release, but little more than that.

Audio

You get a bog standard DD 2.0 English track, the dialogue is clear throughout and as I have mentioned the subtitles are ill suited to a widescreen television. Just like the picture, the sound is beginning to show its age, with a degree of hiss, as well as a brief drop out at 44:08 into the film.

Features

Nothing.

Conclusion

Heartfelt, heartstrings, moving experience, it`s easy to see that On Golden Pond pushes all the right Academy buttons. You wouldn`t have to twist my arm to get me to admit that I liked it as well. This sweet and gentle tale of a retired couple`s summer by a lake is told with charm and restraint. Schmaltz is kept to a nice minimum thanks to some rounded and entertaining performances from Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn. The dialogue is sharp and the cantankerous delivery from Fonda is priceless. The film takes its time to get going though, as it`s when the Thayers are faced with young Billy Ray that we really get to see these characters clearly, as they are forced to examine their relationships and their lives.

Less satisfactory is the rather clichéd estrangement between father and daughter. Played by real life daughter Jane Fonda, she has feelings of abandonment from a distant father, and has resented that distance ever since. As is the way between parent and child, the avenue of communication has become impassable over the years. It`s an all too familiar Hollywood portrayal of such, and the easy-fix relationship patch applied at the end of the film is a little hard to swallow.

On Golden Pond is a sweet little film, but I find it hard to see why it deserves all the plaudits. The main characters are wonderfully portrayed, but they are hardly the deft creation of character that speaks of an actor`s finest work. While the story is entertaining and enjoyable, it is hardly groundbreaking or stunningly original. This film seems average for want of a better word. As a budget re-release this disc is acceptable, but the film truly wants a better anamorphic transfer and a few extras as well. It may be worth investigating the Region 1 special edition in this regard.