Norman Thayer, an elderly retired college professor, and his wife Ethel have had a summer house on Golden Pond for most of their married life. This summer, they are there as usual and are joined...

Norman Thayer, an elderly retired college professor, and his wife Ethel have had a summer house on Golden Pond for most of their married life. This summer, they are there as usual and are joined for Norman's birthday by their middle-aged daughter Chelsea, who has always had trouble getting on with her father. She and her fiance are on their way to Europe. When Chelsea returns to Golden Pond after her wedding, she finds her new stepson getting on well with her father. So why can't she?