Cocoon (1985)

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

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers:

Tom Benedek (screenplay), David Saperstein (story)

Stars:

Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn

Won 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Don Ameche	...	Art Selwyn
Wilford Brimley	...	Ben Luckett
Hume Cronyn	...	Joe Finley
Brian Dennehy	...	Walter
Jack Gilford	...	Bernie Lefkowitz
Steve Guttenberg	...	Jack Bonner
Maureen Stapleton	...	Mary 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

Storyline

A group of aliens return to earth to retrieve cocoons containing the people they'd left behind from an earlier trip. These cocoons had been resting at the bottom of the ocean. Once retrieved, they stored these recovered cocoons in the swimming pool of a house they'd rented in a small Florida town. Their mission is hampered by a number of elderly people from a nearby retirement community who had been secretly using the pool, and who discover unusual powers from within these cocoons.

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Plot Keywords:

cocoon | alien | swimming | swimming pool | senior citizen | 

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Taglines:

Beyond the innocence of youth, and the wisdom of age, lies the wonder of... Cocoon

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 June 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cocoon - A Aventura dos Corais Perdidos

Filming Locations:

Clearwater, Florida, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$76,100,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Zanuck/Brown Productions, SLM Production Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Wilford Brimley was only 50 years old at the time of this film's production. He had to have his hair dyed gray in order to make him look geriatric.

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Goofs

Obvious stunt double when Arthur Selwyn is break dancing.

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Quotes

Ben Luckett: [getting in the shower with Mary] Want a piece of candy, little girl?

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Connections

Referenced in Dancing with the Stars: Episode #8.8 (2008)

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Soundtracks

"Gravity"
Performed by Michael Sembello
Produced by Dick Rudolph (as Richard Rudolph) and Michael Sembello
Courtesy of A&M Records

User Reviews

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