Cocoon (1985)
Cocoon is probably the most famous “old folks still got it” movie ever made, so if you haven’t seen it yet (or, funnily enough, if it was before your time) you owe it the entire genre to rent it. It’s just delightful.
Wilford Brimley, Don Ameche, Jack Gilford, Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Maureen Stapleton, and Gwen Verdon are the luckiest seniors in America. They were cast in this movie, when I’m sure dozens of old timers would have clambered at the chance! All kidding aside, their characters are very lucky. They live in a retirement home in Florida, and their sedentary, lackluster sunset years are about to get rejuvenated. Don, Wilford, and Hume make a habit of sneaking into the big house’s pool next door, and one day, there are large, mysterious boulders at the bottom of the water. After that swim, they feel as young as teenagers – and they put big smiles on their wives faces that night. It’s very funny, and it’s especially charming to see Hume and Jessica climb into bed together since they were a happily married couple in real life.
But where did the big rocks come from? Steve Guttenberg, a lowly yacht captain, gets hired by a group of tourists (Brian Dennehy, Tahnee Welch, and Tyrone Power, Jr.) to sail out in the middle of the ocean. They dive down in wet suits and procure the boulders from the ocean floor, then transfer them into the large house they’re renting. Of course, if you know the story, you know I’m leaving something out. But just in case you have no idea what Cocoon is about, I’m letting it be a surprise.
Most of Cocoon is heartwarming, funny, and sweet – but there is a touch of sadness in it (as you can tell from James Horner’s heart tugging theme). Everyone has his own big moment and scene to show off his acting chops. Wilford has a great relationship with his grandson, Barret Oliver, Hume is battling a terminal illness, and Jack’s wife has Alzheimer’s disease. Don is all laughs, though. He’s the resident bachelor of the group, and he grins, giggles, and moonwalks his way into an Academy Award. It’s quite ironic that he won the Oscar, since he’s the only one without any drama. But, voters love to laugh – and he’s very funny.
The cast has a great camaraderie together, and you can tell everyone had a blast making the film. This might not be relevant, but I think it’s awfully cute that Ron Howard directed the flick (so be on the lookout for his brother Clint). As a former child star, he probably had a different appreciation of old timers than the average Hollywood director. It’s really not possible to dislike this movie, so rent it this weekend and remember your grandparents.
More Don Ameche movies here!
Wilford Brimley, Don Ameche, Jack Gilford, Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Maureen Stapleton, and Gwen Verdon are the luckiest seniors in America. They were cast in this movie, when I’m sure dozens of old timers would have clambered at the chance! All kidding aside, their characters are very lucky. They live in a retirement home in Florida, and their sedentary, lackluster sunset years are about to get rejuvenated. Don, Wilford, and Hume make a habit of sneaking into the big house’s pool next door, and one day, there are large, mysterious boulders at the bottom of the water. After that swim, they feel as young as teenagers – and they put big smiles on their wives faces that night. It’s very funny, and it’s especially charming to see Hume and Jessica climb into bed together since they were a happily married couple in real life.
But where did the big rocks come from? Steve Guttenberg, a lowly yacht captain, gets hired by a group of tourists (Brian Dennehy, Tahnee Welch, and Tyrone Power, Jr.) to sail out in the middle of the ocean. They dive down in wet suits and procure the boulders from the ocean floor, then transfer them into the large house they’re renting. Of course, if you know the story, you know I’m leaving something out. But just in case you have no idea what Cocoon is about, I’m letting it be a surprise.
Most of Cocoon is heartwarming, funny, and sweet – but there is a touch of sadness in it (as you can tell from James Horner’s heart tugging theme). Everyone has his own big moment and scene to show off his acting chops. Wilford has a great relationship with his grandson, Barret Oliver, Hume is battling a terminal illness, and Jack’s wife has Alzheimer’s disease. Don is all laughs, though. He’s the resident bachelor of the group, and he grins, giggles, and moonwalks his way into an Academy Award. It’s quite ironic that he won the Oscar, since he’s the only one without any drama. But, voters love to laugh – and he’s very funny.
The cast has a great camaraderie together, and you can tell everyone had a blast making the film. This might not be relevant, but I think it’s awfully cute that Ron Howard directed the flick (so be on the lookout for his brother Clint). As a former child star, he probably had a different appreciation of old timers than the average Hollywood director. It’s really not possible to dislike this movie, so rent it this weekend and remember your grandparents.
More Don Ameche movies here!