ON GOLDEN POND (1981) ***1/2 There are so many things so wonderful and obvious that they need not be pointed out-and yet so brilliant that you can't help repeatedly celebrating them: Katharine Hepburn's enthusiasm for everything wonderful and some that ain't, Henry Fonda's ability to effortlessly shine the humanity through any character ever written, Jane Fonda's mortal case of juggling very feminine emotions and desires with an equally feminine demand for a dominant form of justice. Hepburn is the most appealing, having perhaps attained all that Fonda strives for with less affrontery. The Fonda role is more demanding: she has to convince us that she's a typical American female playing for "great catch" Dabney Coleman. I can't say that I was entirely convinced. I was already skeptical, but the bikini scene unraveled the whole thing (though it no doubt contributed to heavy workout book sales)-don't know too many fortyish divorcees who look like that, and none that are desperate to marry a dentist. The charade being up, Jane's performance is all the more impressive as it is very clear that something real is going on, and it doesn't take much of a detective to realize that she is a child of Hollywood saying goodbye to her father in the best way that she knows how. Henry certainly goes out on top. The complexity of his relationships with everyone shows brighter than the light on the water, the difficulties in getting along with him are apparent, and the demand to admire him couldn't be more obvious. His is, quite simply, one of the fascinating characters in the history of film, and he's playing himself. Ain't too many can do that.
back to Brilliant Observations on 2525 Films page, or Index
go back home, or send me email
Reviews won't do it any more! I need sustained brilliance! I want to buy your exciting new terrorist novel!
I've already read both of your novels. Thank you, they're amazing. Now I want to check out your weekly blog on everything