Review of Harold and Maude (1971) by Brett C — 19 Jan 2014

Life and Death are explored in cinema frequently and films have been created juxtaposing the two themes years before this came out but none has had the ability to make the heavy themes be condensed in a neat little story tied by love. I didn't love it the first time I watched it because I felt it lacked a little texture and Harold's attempts seemed more shocking rather than funny. But oh how much a second viewing can change one's point of view.

Colin Higgins wrote the screenplay for this film. Higgins hasn't got a lot of films in his resume but he has written 3 feature films that are decent. Harold and Maude's screenplay does lack an aim and that is one reason why I couldn't really grasp it the first time, but coming back to this I started to understand what Higgins was trying to exhibit. The themes life and death could not be more plainly obvious than it does in this film but the film avoids from being too campy by creating humor and putting these characters in unconventional environments and situations. Harold is a complex character, to truly understand him one must not wait for answers and insight to be given but instead look for it and empathise on his current state. Maude is the complete opposite of Harold and that's the reason that she took an interest in him as if she knew that he was an empty void needing something to cling onto. Though Maude is in the title, she really isn't who the film follows but instead explores the current relationships and psychological structure of Harold and for the most part it does keep me interested. His 'attempts' may be a bit dark for some people, which was true in my first viewing, but it does come off as hilarious the second time knowing just how far it goes. Harold and his mother is a relationship that always had me thinking, and as more of Harold's layers climb to the surface, the more we understand the decisions of his actions.

This is Hal Ashby's second film and he has definitely did a great job here. Ashby seems to be much more concerned with investigating the themes of the film rather than making the story shine. This prevents the film from feeling campy and predictable, which is probably the reason why people keep coming back to this. Ashby has been known to make more films within the lighter side of the spectrum in terms of it's tone, and this film keeps that but due to it's dark subject matter, it creates an atmosphere that can be seen as darkly hilarious or twistedly sick; also something that is much more risky and unique. The film doesn't move very fast because the film indulges on it's comedic moments, which I like as some directors get too self-conscious and avoids this approach to gain more respect from the casual viewer. The film doesn't feel big and it does seem like it was restricted by it's budget, which turned out as a positive as it gave the film that indie and simple style that it needed in order to keep the film grounded.

John Alonzo is the film's cinematographer for Harold and Maude. Alonzo definitely understands the film's themes as his photography supports it so well. He ensures that the house that Harold lives in feels empty and melancholy. Harold within this household is always hit with dark shadows and colors never seem to pop except for the color red. In Maude's home, it does feel much more upbeat and fun with the background of the shots being subtly filled up with little things from Maude's past. As the film moves back and forth between Harold's life at home and his life with Maude, the photography becomes more of a metaphor of Harold's emotional state when within these domains. The film never looks pretty, and it also doesn't have the benefit of having ambitious locations to shoot in, but Ashby and Alonzo does make the most out of it. This film is only the third feature film that Alonzo has worked on, with many of his previous work being in televisions and documentaries, ergo his lack of experience held the film back from being too pretentious or clever.

Harold and Maude is a soundtrack driven film, and what a soundtrack list this film has. The songs that come arrive at the perfect moment and they all sound so pessimistically fun, kind of like a balance between the two personalities of the characters. When the songs come on, it had me tapping my feet and tilting my head from side to side along with the beat. I don't think this film feels like it needed a score because that would undercut the humor that this film has to offer.

Bud Cort was superb as Harold as he was able to play a character who was emotionally and psychologically tortured, but also deliver the comedic timing that Ashby wanted from him. Ruth Gordon is a seasoned actress who has worked on many classics, like Rosemary's Baby and Edge of Darkness, and this film belongs with the stature that these classics are currently on. When the film focuses on the titular characters, Maude is the one that is always rambling and Gordon was able to achieve that without having the audience feeling annoyed of her. Vivian Pickles plays as Harold's mother and her character is similar to Maude due to the fact that she rambles on in every scene she is in, but she was able to come off as annoying as intended by the director.

Harold and Maude isn't for everyone but the protagonists are so different from each other that you can't help but be intrigued on how it plays out. Also, Harold's hilarious suicide attempts gives the film that dark edge that it needed in making this film fun to watch over and over.