Review of Harold and Maude (1971) by Michael H — 12 Jul 2014

This movie is too well-loved for me to do anything but just add my vote and maybe point out a few things that struck me the most: 1) Maude is shown two or three times driving towards a street sign that faces the viewer, showing us a rule that doesn't apply to Maude because she's going the other way.

2) I wish more cops were like Tom Skerrit's portrayal. Swinging the door open only to have it bounce closed immediately was a wonderful touch. 3) Several times we are shown seemingly impossible actions for which we must assume a technological contrivance that is never actually shown to us.

For example: Harold hanging unharmed from a noose, then Harold floating face down in a swimming pool yet apparently still breathing somehow, and Maude seated at a piano that we first assume she is playing but which turns out to be operated by some unseen automatism.

So excellent is the direction that we don't even notice that these things are crazy. We assume there is an explanation but don't need to hear it. I laughed out louder and harder at this movie than at any movie I've seen in years.

And remember: "Don't be officious. You're not yourself when you're officious. That's the curse of a government job.".