Edwin Pereyra

‘Harold and Maude’ (1971) Not Quite Sure What To Make Of It

**SPOILERS**

Okay, I got what the film was all about – life affirmation, living life to the fullest, anti-establishment, nonconformity, etc., etc.

But what I don’t understand is why the two had to fall in love with each other as lovers instead of just friends? I think that situation was a little bit of a stretch. For me, it probably would have worked better had they just remained friends.

In addition, in regards to Harold’s Mom’s reaction about supposedly being dead when told by the cops of the lab incident, why was Harold so disappointed about his Mom’s reaction and wanted to die right there and then? Certainly there was nothing wrong about her reaction as she just fainted into the arms of the cops? What was he expecting?

Furthermore, Maude’s actions did not resonate with me, as it was contrary to everything she stood for. For me, “living life to the fullest” certainly does not mean breaking laws, stealing cars and being reckless.

For a film that was supposed to have a serious message, its too bad that we cannot take its eccentric characters (Harold and his suicide gags, which after a while got tiring; and carefree Maude and her antics, which were funny, but almost to the point of absurdity) more seriously to drive its themes home.

~Edwin

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2001 Films List : American Film Institute Top 100 Films Challenge
Countdown Of AFI Movies Left To Watch: 1, 2, 3!


[Edited last by Edwin Pereyra on July 23, 2001 at 12:22 PM]

Todd Terwilliger

I love Harold & Maude.

Regarding your points, I think that first of all, the film is a comedy. As such, there is going to be an element of going over the top. Also, Harold is not trying to kill himself, he is trying to get attention. His various suicide attempts are gags which his mother promptly ignores, like everything else about him.

While Harold is young and obsessed with gloom, Maude who is old, shows Harold how to act his age: have some fun, and indulge in some youthful mischief (I'm not condoning grand-theft auto). She also sees him in every way his mother does not, an anti-mom perhaps.

Maude is extreme in some ways because she represents an extreme, just as Harold's mother represents the other extreme. One of the funniest moments, for me, is when a "normal" girl, whom Harold's mom is trying to set up with Harold, watches him go through the act of setting himself on fire. Naturally, she panics but mom doesn't budge.

How that makes some sense to you.

Todd.

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"He'll flip you, flip you for real."

Thi Them

I saw this movie a few weeks ago and I really liked it. My favorite moment was Harold's meeting with the priest.

~T

Darren H

Edwin, I saw Harold & Maude for the first time three or four months ago, and it has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. In fact, I popped it in again this weekend just to watch the opening sequence, and ended up watching nearly half of it. I'm not sure if I can logically argue against your points (and don't think I'll even try). For me, H&M plays like a fable in the same way that Rushmore does. It's strange: the characters themselves are timeless -- and the story works at that level (learning to love life at any age) -- but the film itself is very much grounded in its time, particularly in its dark, DARK satire of Vietnam-era politics.

As I've mentioned here several times lately, because of H&M I've fallen in love with Hal Ashby's direction. I think he's a wonderful story-teller, who paces his films with great precision. Of all the directors I respect, Ashby is the only one who makes me want to get a movie camera and to write a script.

I'm just curious, Edwin, what did you think of Rushmore? These two films seem to generate similar responses.

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"I am a pitbull on the pantleg of opportunity." -- g.W.b.

Edwin Pereyra

If that wasn’t so obvious, then I don’t know what is. I sure hope no one missed that point.

Still, no one has given a reason for my second point, which I am now very curious about:


Darren, Rushmore is a movie that didn’t do anything for me. While I may owe it another viewing, for now, I share the comments previously made by both Ebert and Bernardinelli on this 2 ½ star movie.

~Edwin

Gregory H

Heheheheheheheheh






Loved it !

Edwin Pereyra

Okay, this question was never answered when I posted this a couple of weeks ago but hopefully a fresh set of eyes will take notice and answer it as it appears, no one at the moment has an explanation for it. So, if anyone can explain this plot point, which has been bugging me about this movie, I'd appreciate it:


~Edwin

Tom Rhea

>>In regards to Harold’s Mom’s reaction about supposedly being dead when told by the cops of the lab incident, why was Harold so disappointed about his Mom’s reaction and wanted to die right there and then? Certainly there was nothing wrong about her reaction as she just fainted into the arms of the cops? What was he expecting?<<

I believe it's because Harold is extremely embarrassed because he knows her reaction is entirely phony. Remember when she's filling out the information sheet for the dating service? She's responding to the questions with what SHE wants and believes, not what Harold wants and believes. She's entirely self-centered and her reaction to the news of Harold's death is entirely about HER being the center of attention, not because she feels any great loss.

Edwin Pereyra

Tom, thanks for that perspective. That was a critical turning point in the film and certainly one that should not be misinterpreted.

~Edwin