Cocoon

Cocoon is an interesting film, sitting somewhere between a family drama and science fiction. I must be one of the few film buffs left in the world that hadn't seen it until now, so I had the rare treat of watching an older (1985) film without knowing much about it.

Directed by Ron Howard, it stars a large and well known cast of aging Hollywood names such as Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Brian Dennehy, Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn and Maureen Stapleton. If you are thinking, "Who the hell are they?", rest assured, that if their names aren't familiar, their faces will be. Rounding out the cast are some odd choices, such as Steve Police Academy Guttenberg, and Tahnee "Daughter of Raquel" Welch. I say 'odd' for Guttenberg in particular, as his filmography until Cocoon, and even after, isn't exactly bulging with significant films, and let's be honest, the Police Academy series, though successful, was pretty awful. The cast do a fine job, and as a viewer you are drawn into their world, and warm to the characters quickly. Maybe it is because oldies seem to bring out the wimp in me, but I think in this case it is their fine performances that drew me in. Only the fight scene in the mess hall (sounds like a scene from a prison film, doesn't it?) was less than believable, especially the sound effects of fists making contact with heads etc. It sounded more like something from Get Smart or Batman - the only thing missing was the cartoon 'Thwak' and 'Biff' leaping out from the screen.

So what's Cocoon about? It's a difficult film to dicuss and not give away too much. The story concerns an old folks complex in Florida (where all US senior citizens retire apparently), and three residents that regularly sneak into the large abandoned house next door to swim in the glorious indoor pool. The house is rented out for 26 days, quite suddenly, by a quartet of strangers who also charter a large boat for the same period. This quartet are quite secretive in their motives, but we do learn they are bringing up large cocoons from the bottom of the ocean, and storing them in the poolhouse. The three seniors, although surprised by the cocoons on one of their regular sneaky dips, decide to swim anyway, and come away rejuvenated, invigorated and full of youthful zest. Although they try to keep it a secret, whispers are heard that the men (and eventually their wives) have found a 'fountain of youth', but are reluctant to share in it.

I would like to say more, but won't for fear of giving away too much. I am confident that if you have not seen Cocoon, you will be unlikely to guess what the strange quartet are bringing in from the sea to the pool, until it is revealed. It is a surprise, but a pleasant one.

Cocoon is a film the whole family will enjoy, for it contains little in the way of language or nudity save for one shot of Tahnee Welch from behind, and hey, she's Raquel's daughter and nude scenes are probably hereditary, okay? It is a film designed to warm the heart, and gently remind us that life is to be enjoyed no matter what your age.

Trivia: Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, who play husband and wife Joe and Alma Finley, were married in real life. Sadly Jessica Tandy passed away in 1994. Also, Tyrone Power Jnr. (one of the strange quartet) is the grandson of one time Hollywood heart throb Tyrone Power (a-la Rock Hudson). The 'celluloid closet'? More like a walk-in-robe.

Cocoon is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and is 16x9 enhanced. As the movie began, my heart sank, but only briefly. Phew! The start of the film is heavily marred by artefacts and noticeable grain, but improves as the film moves on, but they are still present throughout the film. There are numerous negative artefacts (sparkles and white flashes) and some much less frequent positive artefacts (dirt). The grain is more prevalent in the long shots.

Colours are solid but natural. The image tends to be a little on the soft side (maybe to help the oldies look less aged), but is clear enough not to be of concern. Shadow detail is fair. There is some slight cross colouration and edge ehancement but you would need to be looking closely to notice and they are not intrusive. Black levels are generally good, with some evidence of low-level noise, but this is mostly in the close ups, and again, is not distracting.

The layer change is fairly well placed at 65:24, between scenes, but comes in about a second too early for my liking, and if held back for that second, would have occurred when the screen was dark.

The only English audio is a suitably subtle Dolby Digital 5.1 mix. Most of the dialogue is from the front and centre. The surrounds and front speakers are used mainly for music, which is well scored, and some ambient sounds. There are a few scenes late in the film where dialogue is placed around the room, but it is appropriate and not an attempt to beef things up. Most sound and action, though, is still front heavy, with noticeable panning of cars etc, and the subwoofer is used sparingly. This is not an action film, so there are few loud noises.

There are no problems with synchronisation or clarity, and there are a swag of subtitles to choose from, but you can't choose them using the remote control during the film.

The only extra is a Theatrical Trailer and it looks like it has been draggged along behind one... It is presented in glorious full frame and sumptuous mono. It has more dirt in it than a collapsed coal mine, and is grainier than Bondi Beach. I have one thing to say; why bother? It is 90 seconds of your life you could better spend plucking your eyebrows or something.

Cocoon is a film that you can show Grandma, the grandkids, and just about anyone in between. I read a laughable comment elsewhere, that "This would be a perfect family film if it wasn't so sexual and vulgar at times (hence the PG rating)", but I'll admit to being confused as to what was so sexual or vulgar. Senior citizens still swear (you'll hear worse at a preschool), are still sexual beings (just), and we've all seen a (shapely) bottom before (haven't we?). The oldies in the film are actually very sweet, kind, funny - and real. If my autumn years are even half as filled as theirs with love, humour, friendship, and genuine appreciation of the little things in life, then it is something to look forward to.