Review of Harold and Maude (1971) by Matthew O — 03 Jun 2015

Harold and Maude has long been one of the definitive cult classics, and has also been hailed as one of the best movies to come out of the 1970's. After watching it, I can agree with both of these statements.

Harold and Maude is a movie that is melancholic, hilarious, and happy all at the same time, and each part works together to make an unforgettable story. Balancing jokes about lighting yourself on fire, serious acknowledgement of the holocaust, and a cheerful soundtrack by Cat Stevens is no easy task, but this film does it expertly, mainly due to its large heart that it proudly wears on its sleeve.

Similar to this balance, the tale told here is probably one of the best written in cinema. Lots of movies fall into the hole of having random twists show up out of nowhere or the equally dangerous trap of ignoring facts and throwing in new ones at the same time, but the script put out here leaps over those failings and delivers something both complex and simple, both in the best way.

Almost everything that happens in the movie is foreshadowed or mentioned in some way, even a couple times in a seemingly throw away gag, and once you finish it you'll realize that what shocked you was coming a mile away, you just didn't realize the sings, much like the characters in the movie.

If that's not a sign of good film making I don't know what is. In the end, while Hal Ashby could have take the easy way out and made an overly sentimental drama or a cruel comedy, he followed the road less traveled, crafting a gem that takes you through the ups and downs of life, and even after sadness leaves you with a smile on your face with an invaluable piece of knowledge.

People, places, and things may come and go, but the lessons we learn from them and the moments we shared stay with us forever.