On Golden Pond (1981) directed by Mark Rydell

1. On Golden Pond (1981)directed by Mark Rydell Movie and Aging Project by Crystal Ammons, Andrea Isbell, Laura Sullivan, and Regina Wallace.

2. Introduction of Characters • Henry Fonda: Norman Thayer, Jr., a retired professor. • Katharine Hepburn: Ethyl Thayer, Norman’s wife. • Jane Fonda: Chelsea Thayer, Norman and Ethyl’s divorced daughter. • Dabney Coleman: Bill Ray, a dentist and Chelsea’s love interest. • Doug McKeon: Billy Ray, Jr., Bill Ray’s 13 year-old son from a previous marriage. • Directed by Mark Rydell, the film received great acclaim with Fonda and Hepburn both winning Oscars for leading actor and actress.

3. Plot Summary • Norman and Ethyl Thayer visit their Summer cottage on Golden Pond to celebrate Norman’s 80th birthday. • Joining them is their daughter, Chelsea, her boyfriend Bill, and his son Billy Jr. • Norman is faced with his mortality and changes that often accompany aging. These changes bring about a negative attitude that revolves around limited time and death. • Chelsea and her father have been estranged and her visit brings up old wounds.

4. Plot Summary continued • Chelsea and Bill leave for Europe for a month, leaving Billy Jr. behind to spend the time with Norman and Ethyl. • Billy’s attitude toward the old couple is one of disdain and he talks of leaving and going back to California. • Norman and Ethyl slowly interest Billy Jr. in life on the pond and soon he begins fishing and doing things around the house with them. • Norman and Billy forge a bond that changes Billy Jr.’s attitude toward the old couple and relationships with elders. • Chelsea returns to see that Norman has a relationship with Billy Jr. that she never had with her father. • Norman and Chelsea work toward healing the rift that has pulled them apart for so many years.

5. Aging-Related Concepts in the Film • Director Mark Rydell sets the film in an old cottage on Golden Pond that has seen some wear and tear similar to the physical changes that Norman and Ethyl have experienced over the years. The unhinged door is a metaphor for Norman’s aging mind,body, and his attitude. With some care, it may be repaired. • Norman and Billy Jr. search for “Walter”, the elusive trout that is the prize of their fishing trips. The fish symbolizes the peace that Norman is seeking in dealing with his mortality.

6. Aging-Related Concepts Central points made by the director include: • Fear of aging and death. • Change in attitudes toward mortality and the strain it puts on relationships. • Anticipatory grief felt by Norman as he experiences physical and mental changes (Jett, 2008). • Reminiscence of good times on the pond by Ethyl used as a means of therapy (Touhy, 2008).

7. Identified Problems • Memory Impairment • Impaired Vision • Self care deficit • Ineffective coping with the aging process • Impaired Judgment