Harold and Maude

Rating:
Summary: A surprisingly touching story of a May-December romance
Review: ...Hal Ashby (perhaps the greatest forgotten American director of the 1970's) spins a perverse, yet oddly touching love story of two misfits. Harold is a privileged teenager from a wealthy, well-connected family who also is extremely lonely and has an extraordinarily morbid fascination with death and suicide. Maude is the cheerful, free-spirited 79-year-old woman who lives alone in a trailer and gets Harold to lighten up and enjoy life.

Even though it would appear at face value that these two have nothing in common, they find a common bond in the fact that both of them are oddballs who don't quite fit into their surroundings. Although their falling in love is strange, it is touching to see Harold--a sullen, hearse-driving kid who is almost completely alienated from the outside world--finally connect with someone who both understands and truly cares about him. Needless to say, their budding romance doesn't exactly tickle the fancy of Harold's parents--especially his cold, distant mother.

While "Harold and Maude" is a story that is eccentric and quirky enough to interest moviegoers today who perhaps don't want the standard Hollywood schlock, it should be noted that certain aspects of this movie are a little dated: namely, Cat Stevens' songs (catchy and appropriate, but cheesy) and Harold's visit to his comically disabled uncle in the U.S. Army, which devolves into a rather naive anti-war statement that was unfortunately common during this particular period in American history.

No matter, "Harold and Maude" is great entertainment, and if you're looking for a movie that's a little off the beaten path, try this little gem from Hal Ashby. You won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Maude is my hero
Review: "Harold and Maude" is not really a love story in the conventional romantic sense. It's more of a story about how one person can change another person's life just by being themself. Harold is a wealthy, bored, morose young man who gets his kicks by attending funerals of people he doesn't know and staging elaborate, fake suicides to rattle his mother. At one funeral he happens to meet Maude, another "funeral crasher". Maude, about to turn 80, is starting to wonder if her own death shouldn't be coming soon. The two quickly embark on a friendship (and, yes, even sexual relationship) which completely changes Harold's views on life. Maude is one of the greatest characters I've ever seen portrayed on film. At the same time daring and sensitive, childlike and wise, rebellious and spiritual, Maude is an elderly iconoclast whose fierce love of life has inspired her to free herself of almost all of society's restrictions. Frankly, she's my hero. At times touching, funny, inspiring and strange, "Harold and Maude" is one of my favorite films of all time.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, wonderful & wonderful!
Review: In an age of cynicism, bitterness, and pointless movies about horny teenagers, this film is a breath of fresh air. Movies like this simply do not get made anymore. People who hate it miss the point, it is about love and life and enjoying who you are. Movine and wonderful, and Ruth Gordon is darling. To those who hated it, please watch it again, and open your mind and your heart. You will be surprised at what you find there.

Rating:
Summary: SWEET!
Review: If such an irreverently offbeat film were to be made today, I wonder how the putative audiences would react. As was probably the case when the film was released, people would probably find the theme edgy, if not inappropriate. This anti-establishment cult classic quite openly explores themes of suicide, love, death and life with a fresh perspective.

The interesting part is how this film will likely find you. In most societies, an older man will likely fall for a woman years his junior. Here though, Harold (Bud Cort) -- a shy teenager with an affinity for death -- meets his 80-year-old true love Maude (Ruth Gordon), not at a dance or social event, but at funerals.

I guess 'Harold and Maude' plays on '60s-esque themes of turning maverick, challenging societal moulds, denouncing materialism. The story is strewn with delectable humor, and thankfully is not of your average garden variety. Cat Stevens' open-air, acoustic-driven rock 'n' roll makes for a cherishable soundtrack giving the film an authentic organic sound indicative of its demeanor.

A great movie with a warm heart -- required collective for every self-respecting library!

Rating:
Summary: A Perfect Gem
Review: I first stumbeled upon this film back in 1987. I think one of the main reasons this film has such a devoted (if cult) following, is the fact that the message it delivers...living your life to the fullest, and embracing love no matter what kind of package it comes in...is rendered in such a quiet, wonderful way, you can't help but believe.

The movie introduces us to Harold. a quiet, if slightly odd young man, so desperate for the attention of his mother, that he stages various "suicides" on a regular basis, just to try and get a reaction from her. We soon learn that the one thing that actually makes Harold happy, is to attend funerals. Which is where, he ends up meeting Maude...a fellow funeral groupie. In contrast, Maude is a soon to be 80 yr old fireball of life and chaos, who counts 'barrowing' total strangers cars, and liberating canaries from pet stores, as hobbies.

This movie is at once incredibly funny (as morbid as it sounds...Harold's various "suicides" are carried out with incressingly funnier results), and terribly sad (one of the final sequences, revolving around Cat Steven's gorgeous song "Trouble", is one of the most heartbreaking, and beautifully acted scenes you will ever see on film.).

Harold and Maude's relationship could have very easily come off as contrived, or forced, or just plain unbelivable. But the casting of Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort could not have been more perfect. They completely make these characters their own, and bring them to life in a way no one else would have been able to. And i also have to say that Colin Higgins script and especially the directing of Hal Asby are both top notch. Asby's subtle direction is wonderful, especially in the "Trouble" sequence mentioned above, where he lets Cort's facial expressions convey far more to the audience then any amount of dialogue ever could.

Rating:
Summary: Do you enjoy knives?
Review: Harold and Maude is my absolute most favorite movie of all time. I've seen it well over one hundred times since it was first released (right when I needed it, as a young college student). It not only is a scathing satire of the Army, psychiatry, and the Church, but also a funny black comedy mixed with an uplifting love story. Quite a heady brew, although not to everyone's taste, I suppose. Still, there are reasons why so many people love it. When I first saw it, I really identified with Harold, and his feelings of suffocation, despite his wealth. But I also wanted to be Maude, and still do. I also appreciate it as a film scholar, for it is one of the best edited films I've ever seen (although the cinematography is fading with time). I also think the Cat Steven score perfectly fits the themes. Having the film on video is a treat (I'm on my third copy, and I hope it will be on DVD in the next year or so).

Rating:
Summary: Hialrious!
Review: I watched this movie the first time with a bunch of friends, and the general consensus was that it was the best movie they had ever seen. It's hilarious, sweet, and rather disturbing... but overall an excellent movie, and my current favorite.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely One of the Best
Review: Here is a film that I just cannot get enough of, and, I fear, is grossly misunderstood by far too many people. A love story like no other, an inspired lesson in self-awareness and fearlessness in self-expression - this may fall into the "cult" department, but should be seen by all.

Unfortunately, the extreme May-December romance of Harold and Maude raises eyebrows to the point that many see only this aspect of the film - "Oh my God he slept with an 80-year-old woman oh my God" - but in actuality, this has so little to do with the film's message. It points out that love comes in all shapes and sizes, and most often when we least expect it. Also, that a friend of any age can open us to seeing the world in a new, more truthful light. Harold begins as an introverted, unhappy young man, whose only creative outlet consists of tormenting his image-obsessed, utter snob of a mother (thus forming the most hilarious visuals for the viewer). After meeting with Maude, his world rapidly opens to new discoveries, and a greater understanding of his fellow human beings. If you have any kind of heart, the final sexual union (relax, folks - we don't see the details) between Harold and Maude doesn't offend - rather, it warms the heart and soul.

The DVD offers a few treats - theatrical trailers, and, well, a great print. I feel that this is a definite must-own... it is truly an amazing film.

Rating:
Summary: Dark comedy about real love
Review: Harold is young and rich, and obsessed with death. Raised by a single domineering mother, Harold enacts many death scenarios which she ignores, no matter how horrifying. He also attends random funerals, which is where he meets 70-something free-spirited Maude.

Maude and Harold quickly become friends, sharing quirky adventures like "setting free" a tree that is planted on a public sidewalk. During this same time, Harold's mother decides he should get married via a national dating service. One of the best scenes is when she decides they should fill out his profile "together" but instead she answers all of the questions herself. Even better is when Harold lights himself on fire whent he first of his dates arrives at the house.

With a great score by Cat Stevens, this is a feel-good movie, even when the chips are down for Harold and Maude.

Rating:
Summary: What is life?
Review: This is one of those movies that I would offer as required viewing for anyone on the verge of, or just entering, adulthood. See it with a friend or two when you can sit down afterwards and talk about what you think Harold and Maude have to say about living.

Sure, this is a pretty bizarre movie. And, truth to tell, I give it the highest rating because it's a sentimental favorite; it reminds me of the person who first told me about it. Would I have liked it anyway? Well, it's got a fair share of memorable lines. There are a number of laugh-out-loud moments. I like fantasy and surrealism. And now there's even the, "Oh, yeah, that's the way it was" element because it takes place during the Vietnam War era. So even without the nostalgia I would have liked it anyway.

But I also give it such a high rating because I do feel strongly that Harold and Maude deserves to be viewed and discussed by friends who are grappling with the Big Questions.