Ron Howard's Cocoon
A classic science fiction film for the elderly.
Ron Howard directs Cocoon (1985) with a tender hand towards the struggles of the senior citizen. Howard's topics include aging, dying, infidelity, mortality, immortality, and family. Cocoon is the most grounded and realistic sci-fi film maybe ever made. The whole setting in a retirement home in Florida makes Cocoon feel cozy and realistic. The outfits are what real people would wear and the dialogue is so true to life how older people speak.
The older I get, the more I appreciate Cocoon. It is a very funny comedy that tackles often overlooked and forgotten communities. The practical effects still look real, while Howard cleverly hides the few special effects with real fog, space, or sky. Cocoon is shot with mostly long panning wide shots, facial close ups, and gentle still shots. Howard perfects his directorial technique and style herein Cocoon.
James Horner composed a tender and atmospheric score for Cocoon. He uses sentimental quiet strings that swell up for the more dramatic moments. I always find Horner makes the most tasteful scores with very subtle cues. Cocoon sounds as beautiful as it looks.
Notably, Cocoon work primarily because of its elderly cast of brilliant actors and actresses as the heroes. The hilarious go getter Don Ameche is likable and fun as Art in Cocoon. You just want to be friends with this guy. The ever stout Wilford Brimley as Ben essentially playing everyone's kind grandfather figure. Hume Cronyn as Joe is the dying man that wants to live forever and just cannot give in to fate. Brian Dennehy is wonderful as the friendly stranger Walter. Jack Gilford is equally humorous and poignant as the pragmatic Bernie. Lastly, I love Jessica Tandy as Joe's wife Alma. She carries herself with a grace and wisdom fitting an actress of her skill level.
Then there is the younger cast. Namely, Steve Guttenberg is delightful and relatable as Jack Bonner. You really empathize with this character. I must mention the gorgeous Tahnee Welch as Kitty. She portrays Kitty with a tender sweetness, while always gorgeous on screen. You will never forget her in Cocoon. Clint Howard makes another hilarious appearance in his brother Ron Howard's films as the senior attendant John Dexter. Their father, Rance Howard, makes a neat cameo towards the end if you look for him as a St. Petersburg detective.
In all, Cocoon remains a joyful and thoughtful look as growing old with a sci-fi twist. Ron Howard directed his first perfect film with Cocoon as far as I'm concerned. I grew up watching Cocoon annually with my parents. I appreciate it on a deeper level now. I think Cocoon gets better the older you age. Check it out if you can find a copy!