Cocoon (1985)

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers:

Tom Benedek (screenplay)
David Saperstein (story)

Release Date:

21 June 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

It is everything you've dreamed of. It is nothing you expect.

Plot:

When a group of trespassing seniors swim in a pool containing alien cocoons, they find themselves energized with youthful vigour.

Plot Keywords:

Senior Citizen | Break Dance | Alien | Human Relationship | Shower

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Don Ameche	...	Arthur Selwyn
Wilford Brimley	...	Benjamin Luckett
Hume Cronyn	...	Joseph Finley
Brian Dennehy	...	Walter
Jack Gilford	...	Bernard Lefkowitz
Steve Guttenberg	...	Jack Bonner
Maureen Stapleton	...	Marilyn Luckett
Jessica Tandy	...	Alma Finley
Gwen Verdon	...	Bess McCarthy
Herta Ware	...	Rosie Lefkowitz
Tahnee Welch	...	Kitty
Barret Oliver	...	David
Linda Harrison	...	Susan
Tyrone Power Jr.	...	Pillsbury
Clint Howard	...	John Dexter

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Iceland:L | Netherlands:AL | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Chile:TE | Finland:S | France:U | Norway:12 (1985) | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:6 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Clearwater, Florida, USA

Company:

Zanuck/Brown Productions

Trivia:

The tinted map Walter gives to Jack showing him the underwater location of their search for cocoons is actually an infra-red aerial photograph of Bay County, Florida (where Panama City Beach is located) printed on a transparency.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Joe, Bernie, and Art are in the dining room, the piano player's movements don't come close to matching the music being played.

Quotes:

Walter: Every 10 or 11,000 years I make a horrible mistake.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Friends: The One Where Joey Moves Out (#2.16)" (1996)

Soundtrack:

Gravity

Terrific

This film completely surprised me first time. I thought it was your usual silly alien film - but it is so much more then that - and if it is possible the brilliant Ron Howard makes it all believable. Two things stand out among all else - the fantastic score (one of the best I have ever heard) The superb ending - which was one of the most original endings - possibly ever.

I just can't say enough about just how good this film is.

As far as performances go I was particularly surprised by the acting of the senior citizens especially Jack Gilford as the miserable old codger Bernie - I love it when he completely breaks down and softens after spending an hour and 20 minutes as the most awful old man you could ever have the misfortune to bump into - the transformation was immediate but so believable - and I personally think that performance was worthy of a supporting actor oscar.

Also Brian Dennehy, Wilford Brimley, Don Ameche and Steve Guttenburg were also excellent.

An all round fantastic film which everyone can enjoy - all ages