Jane Fonda’s return follows many solid films

Jane Fonda, who returns to theaters Friday in “Monster-in-Law,” has been absent from the big screen since “Stanley & Iris” in 1990. That’s long enough for memory of her fine 20-year movie career to grow dim.

To brush up those memories, here is a short survey of her best work.

“ “Barefoot in the Park” (1967) – Everyone expressing surprise at Fonda’s comic turn in “Monster-in-Law” should take a look at how she handled the laughs in this fluffy, funny romantic comedy co-starring Robert Redford.

“ “Klute” (1971) – Made at the height of her political activism and amid the turmoil of the Vietnam War years, this movie features a stunningly honest (and Oscar-winning) performance as a conflicted prostitute in danger from a mystery killer.

“ “Julia” (1977) – Starring opposite Vanessa Redgrave, Fonda brought great heart and grit to Lillian Hellman’s fictionalized memory of a painful wartime loss.

“ “Coming Home” (1978) – She won her second Oscar for this film, for which Jon Voight won an Oscar for his portrayal of a paraplegic war veteran who falls in love with Fonda, the wife of an Army officer (Bruce Dern) who is still in combat.

“ “9 to 5” (1980) – Fonda returned to comedy playing a naive office worker who teams up with Lili Tomlin and Dolly Parton for a surreptitious office revolt.

“ “On Golden Pond” (1981) – Vulnerability has always been Fonda’s strong suit, and she was never more vulnerable than in this family-reconciliation drama co-starring with her legendary father, Henry, in his last feature film.