Review of Harold and Maude (1971) by Tighe G — 26 May 2010

(SPOILERS).

The self-destructive, needy, and wealthy Harold, is obsessed by death and spends his leisure time attending funerals, watching the demolishing of buildings, visiting junkyards, simulating suicides to get attention from his indifferent, snobbish and egocentric mother, and having sessions with his psychologist. When Harold meets a seventy-nine-year-old anarchist, named Maude, at a funeral, the become friends. Maude spends her time making sculptures, playing piano, and posing nude for other artists and sculptors. Meanwhile, Harold's mother inlists Harold in a dating service and tries to force harold to join the army. This is where you get to endure some of the funniest scenes in the movie. Whenever a girl comes to meet Harold he simulates a suicide, or in one case cut's his own hand off. So, Harold and Maude end up being more than friends, and soon fall in love. There's a really touching scene in the film where Harold tells Maude a story about when he accidently vande his school's laboratory. It's my favourite scene in the film, because it shows the two characters bond. And soon enough Harold decides to propose to Maude. Of course, Harold's mother, psychologist, and military uncle oppose the idea. But, Harold doesn't care, and on the day of Maude's eightieth birthday, Harold proposes to her. This is when the film takes a turn for the worst. Maude tells Harold that she has taken pills to end her life. Of course Harold deosn't want her to die so he calls an ambulance. There's a scene in the ambulance, where Harold says "Please don't die Maude, I love you." and then Maude say "That's wonderful, Harold. Now go love some more." It gets me in tears every time. I love this film for that. It get's laugh, then makes me me cry. And although the ending is sad, it's also very uplifting. Because you knwo that Harold is not going to live his life in the dark anymore. I also love the soundtrack by Cat Stevens, just such great music to go with the film. It's not only one of my favourite movies, but it's also one of the best love stories ever on screen. I agree with Anthony Lawrie that it's criminal that Ashby never won an award. I highly recomend this filmto everyone.