Cocoon

Starring: Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn, Brian Dennehy, Steve Guttenberg, Jessica Tandy
Written by: Tom Benedict, David Saperstein

Director: Ron Howard
Year: 1985

Rating: * * * *   Stars       +       (Fan Bonus -  )  Total: * * * *

Three elderly friends discover the Fountain Of Youth in a swimming pool next door. 

Wilford Brimley, Don Ameche, and Hume Cronyn play Ben, Art and Joe respectively. Three friends who live with their wives at a retirement community. Despite activities such as checkers, aerobics and shuffleboard, the three of them tqke great pleasure in hoping a fence to swim in the pool next door. The property sits empty, but is maintained by the lease holder. This gives them the perfect opportunity to swim and regain a sense of independence. Unbeknownst to them, the villa does get rented out for the month, and they're surprised to see what appears to be giant rocks at the bottom of the pool. Figuring there's no harm as long as they dont touch the rocks, they continue their watery mischief. However, now they begin to notice changes. The water has made them virile. They have more energy than before. It seems the more they swim, the younger they feel. Ben, for example, retakes an eye exam and passes, regaining his driving privilages. Joe flirts with women 20 years his junior. Art smokes the competition on the dance floor.

Everything goes fine till they bump into the owners of the rocks. Turns out, they're aliens, who have returned to Earth to retrieve their lost friends. The rocks are in fact cocoons, with hibernating aliens inside. The aliens are peaceful, wanting only to retrieve their friends from the ocean, put them in the pool, than simply wait for pick-up. Walter (Brian Dennehy) is the leader and tells Art, Joe and Ben they can continue to use the water, a long as the cocoons are not disturbed. There seems to be plenty of life force to go around. But as they introduce their wives to the pool and the aliens, the other seniors at the center catch on that something magical is in the pool, and before you know it, all the seniors show up, and try cracking open one of the cocoons. The life force is drained from the pool, and those inside risk dying. 

Just a wonderful story from start to finish. It really examines the human condition of old age and death. Some look to cheat it, others embrace their fate, and each have their reasons for doing so. Ron Howard does not create a sci fi film, but rather uses sci-fi elements to tell a true drama. Should we outlive our children? Is it right to cheat death? How long do we grieve before we let go? The meaning of friendship, and man's ability to ruin a truly good thing are all themes woven into this film. 

A few years later, a so-so sequel was made, but the original Cocoon is a true classic.

SEE THE TRAILER: Cocoon