Review of Harold and Maude (1971) by Stuart K — 01 Feb 2011
Directed by Hal Ashby off The Last Detail (1973), Coming Home (1978) and Being There (1979) and written by Colin Higgins, best known for Silver Streak (1976) and Nine to Five (1980). This is a wonderful pitch-black comedy that despite it's darkness and themes of death, is quite uplifting, thanks to two brilliant lead performances and score of songs.
It has twentysomething eccentric Harold Chasen (Bud Cort), who has a morbid obsession with death, even staging suicides, attending funerals and driving a hearse. His mother (Vivian Pickles) is at her wits end with Harold's moods and trys to get him a woman.
Meanwhile, at one funeral, Harold meets 79 year old spinster Maude (Ruth Gordon), who is quite mischievious and has a fascinating outlook on life. She has an odd outlook on life, and Harold is taken by her quirkiness and carefree attitude, she steals cars, rides motorbikes and even teaches Harold to play the banjo, but Harold's peers are not pleased with them together.
For a synopsis like that, it sounds quite depressing, but it isn't, it's uplifting, telling us to enjoy life more. Gordon and Cort make a brilliant double act, and the songs by Cat Stevens lift the mood from one of blackness to enlightenment.
Very offbeat but very funny too.
This review of Harold and Maude (1971) was written by Stuart K on 01 Feb 2011.
Harold and Maude has generally received very positive reviews.
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