On Golden Pond: Nostalgia, Perception, and Old Age

This movie was selected by our Patreon Supporters over at the Cinematic Doctrine Patreon. Support as little as $3 a month and have your voice heard!

Shirleon joins Melvin in discussing this month’s Patron-Pick, On Golden Pond! This Oscar-winning feature stars Katherine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, and Jane Fonda in a complex-yet-comedic tale of old-age, generational trauma, and the endurance of love. Tune in to hear the two discuss all manner of topics from this deceptively deep story!

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 28-minutes discussing the importance, or lack thereof, of award shows, both with film and literature, and how it’s all a glorified expression of curation. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• On Golden Pond is very much about the inevitability of change alongside the hardship of relational stagnation. It’s a simple story with rich, complex dynamics.
• Norman is undoubtedly a curmudgeon, but he’s also a ventilator; someone who releases tension through biting comments.
• Ethel stands as a titan of female strength against a cavalcade of frustrated and emotional characters.
• On Golden Pond explores the dichotomy between fear and love, and how the two struggle to endure with one another.
• Norman’s character showcases a comforting depiction of the difficulty in self-identification. Even at 80 years old he is still struggling to find out who he is, and it’s through the kindness of those around him that he is able to persevere in this identity crisis. Both Melvin and Shirleon find this comforting as individuals who struggle with their identity.
• Discussing various iconography throughout the film, including the loons and the deadfall.
• Melvin appreciates that the leads of On Golden Pond are older folk, finding that they’re more relatable and more interesting than if they were just a buncha youngin’s.

Recommendations:

• God of War (PS4) (Video Game)
• Was it Good? – God of War (2005) (Josh Strife Plays) (YouTube Video)
• Possum (2018) (Movie)

On Golden Pond is Rated PG. It features Katherine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, Doug McKeon, and Dabney Coleman. Directed by Mark Rydell. On Golden Pond is available here.

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Melvin Benson is the Founder, Editor-In-Chief, and Lead Host of Cinematic Doctrine. Whether it’s a movie, show, game, comic, or novel, it doesn’t matter. As long as it’s rich, he’s ready and willing to give it a try! His hope is to see King Jesus glorified as far as the east is from the west!

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