Harold and Maude (1971)

January 10, 2023 7:49 AM

The young Harold (Bud Cort) lives in his own world of suicide-attempts and funeral visits to avoid the misery of his current family and home environment. Harold meets an 80-year-old woman named Maude (Ruth Gordon) who also lives in her own world yet one in which she is having the time of her life. When the two opposites meet they realize that their differences don’t matter and they become best friends and love each other.

Also starring Vivian Pickles, Cyril Cusack, Charles Tyner, Ellen Geer, Eric Christmas, G. Wood, Judy Engles, Shari Summers, Tom Skerritt, Susan Madigan.

Directed by Hal Ashby. Written by Colin Higgins (9 to 5).

86% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Currently streaming in the US on Showtime, Kanopy, and Amazon Prime. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (8 comments total)

Manic Pixie Dream Lady, one of the best.
The scene where Harold's mother fills out his dating profile with her own choices is such a great example of their relationship-- she couldn't care less what Harold actually wants.
Harold in the background while his mother is entertaining his dates; doing his little acts of rebellion. I'm still wanting the modified Jag, my little not-yet-Goth was born then.
This is one of those late 60's, early 70's art/revival house films that still holds up, when films like this took chances with some fairly risky viewpoints. And, of course, it's a gorgeous time capsule of the fashions. Also reminds me of The Graduate; they took that music and it's all over the film.
Possible CW for the ending?
The beginning of the film plays Harold's suicide attempts for laughs; the end of the film isn't funny at all.
posted by winesong at 10:10 AM on January 10, 2023 [1 favorite]

That's two in one day for Hal Ashby. I made the list thinking Robert Towne has both co-written and directed Shampoo, but nope: Hal Ashby directed Towne and Beatty's script on that one.

Considering the quality of his resume, Ashby really doesn't get the appreciation he deserves.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:06 AM on January 10, 2023 [4 favorites]

This was one of my dad's favorite movies, which I only learned the Christmas after he died. Every time I watch it I think of him.
posted by pxe2000 at 12:05 PM on January 10, 2023 [1 favorite]

I got hounded into watching this by a roommate and was all, "This is very...odd..."

They sure did repeat that same song over and over and over and over and over again.
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:40 PM on January 10, 2023

My ex- used this movie as a test for me when we started dating. She wasn't going to go out with anyone who didn't love it.
posted by octothorpe at 1:40 PM on January 10, 2023 [1 favorite]

Considering the quality of his resume, Ashby really doesn't get the appreciation he deserves.

His Wikipedia article makes the case that he was kind of the archetypal 70s director whose career didn't survive the 80s.
posted by Halloween Jack at 5:06 PM on January 10, 2023 [2 favorites]

So many great moments in this. My favorite is when Harold scares off Candy with his fire antics and he stares at the camera and smiles while Cat Stevens cuts in and his mom looks absolutely horrified. It’s like the original disgusted girlfriend meme.

I used to live in Pacifica, where the driving, bunker, and cliff scenes were filmed. It looks nothing like it did when I lived there and even less so now.
posted by iamkimiam at 1:56 PM on January 11, 2023 [1 favorite]

His Wikipedia article makes the case that he was kind of the archetypal 70s director whose career didn't survive the 80s.

Well and he had a lifestyle that insured that he himself wouldn't survive the 80s.
posted by octothorpe at 5:38 PM on January 11, 2023