Time for some classics: After reviewing some recent gerontological movies, it is appropriate to start going back in time, and remind us all of some of the classic movies in the gerontological field: not only movies about older people, but also about aging and older movie stars.
On Golden Pond is certainly a classic gerontological movie: This 1981 American drama, directed by Mark Rydell was based on a Ernst Thompson play, and included some of the leader actors of the the time: Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda and Jane Fonda.
The story is about an aging couple, Ethel and Norman, (Hepburn and Fonda), spending the summer vacation at their cottage on the "Golden Pond" lake. Their (only) daughter, Chelsea, (Jane Fonda), visits them with her fiance, and his 13 year old son - Billy. As Chelsea and her partner go for a vacation, they leave Billy with the old couple in the cottage.
This intergenerational meeting and interaction of young Billy with the "unknown" old couple - is the core of the movie.
While I have used this movie many times in my classes about intergenerational relationships, as well as the meaning for grandparenthood - it is a classic gerontological movie for many reasons: it touches upon issues of dementia, about love and care in later life, and about the importance of life-long perspective for understanding aging and late-life relationships. Both Hepburn and Fonda provide an outstanding performance, with a true reflection of the humanity and complexity of aging.
Director: Mark Rydell
USA
1981
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWjBM48YP0s
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