Recent Reviews for Harold and Maude
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MCT:July 18, 2008I had never heard of this film, but I am so glad I saw it. It's a 1971 piece and it's absolutely hilarious.
Harold is a young man who continually fakes suicide trying to get the attention of his mother (to no avail.)
Maude on the other hand is an older woman who lives every day to its fullest.
The movie is about when their two worlds collide, and the result is really funny and heartwarming.
Great film that is considered a cult classic. -
MCT:July 17, 2008One of my favourite movies of all time, also probably one of the best. Perfection. Completley amazing. Really funny. Could watch it over and over again.
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MCT:July 13, 2008The love story isn't very convincing until the sex scene. Otherwise, this movie is hilarious and beautiful. Cat Stevens' soundtrack only adds to it.
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MCT:July 13, 2008
1971 cult classic that, over time, has become more mainstream and widely accepted. A 20-year-old Bud Cort, obsessed with death, meets an 80-year-old Ruth Gordon, obsessed with life. Each is fascinated by the other and thus one of the strangest romances in film history is kindled. As much as I love this film, the bedroom scene between Cort and Gordon still gives me the heebie-jeebies. (LOL)
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MCT:July 12, 2008I watched this because of "There's Something About Mary." I wouldn't say however, that it's the "greatest love story of our time."
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MCT:July 11, 2008
Outstanding black comedy of unlikely relationship between young disturbed man and 80 year old woman. Harold's "suicides" are hilarious.
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MCT:July 10, 2008I guess I can see why it was such a big deal, some of it was interesting but Maude over-acted and the pacing just crawled. Movies that were inspired by this movie are so much better.
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MCT:July 10, 2008
Twisted dark comedy about a young man who falls in love with a senior citizen is one of the greats of the 70s. Ruth Gordon was great.
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MCT:June 29, 2008
this movie was one of the most creepiest love stories i have EVER seen. however, it was one of the best movies i have ever seen.
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MCT:June 26, 2008
If you watch this movie and all you get out of it in the end is "Gross!" then you are an idiot and I feel sorry for you. lol
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MCT:June 23, 2008
Watch this to see where Wes Anderson took most of his inspiration. Bud Cort seemed like he had so much potential as an actor but never fully lived up to it or never got the chance to shine like he does in this. Ruth Gordon is also great.
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MCT:June 21, 2008
An oddball creation, thats witty, tender, random and surreal. A little treasure and a cat stevens soundtrack that sounds good, no thats random.
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MCT:June 16, 2008
One of the best films I've ever seen. It challenges society and it's idiotic moral. A great life lesson.
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MCT:June 14, 2008
Completely wonderful, and if I didn't find Ruth Gordon so unbearably annoying, it would be an undoubted 5 star flick...
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MCT:June 13, 2008
Harold and Maude is a quirky, heart-warming and sentimental film worthy of it's status as a cult classic and is probably one of the most important films of all time.
Harold is a rich young man, unsatisfied by his life but engrossed with death. Maude is a lively, high-spirited 79-year old woman and when the two meet they form a close bond and embark upon some very humourous adventures.
Harold and Maude one of the most unusual love stories out there, filled with witty dialogue and memorable scenes that leaves the viewer captivated everytime they watch it.
Bud Cort portrays Harold extremely well, capturing every inch of his morbid nature and blank stares. Ruth Gordon is enjoyable to watch and plays the role beautifully. Plus the Cat Stevens soundtrack fits the film perfectly.
Harold and Maude is a wonderfully uplifting yet darkly poignant film. It holds a great message about living your life to the fullest and that love has no boundaries. This is a film you must see before you die. -
MCT:June 9, 2008
For me it helped erase some of the dread connected with the thought of growing old. I want to be like Maude when I'm in my eighties! A great companion to Wes Andersons films.
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MCT:June 8, 2008This is one of the worst movies of all time! I hated it. I will always hate it! Hey, Hal, u created a REAL BAD movie!
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MCT:June 8, 2008
Harold: "I like you, Maude."
Maude: "I like you, Harold."
Harold and Maude is an outstanding black comedy that reminds audiences the reason why films exist. In short, films exist to tell a story: a potent tale of characters who encounter a series of events that unfold during the film's running time. More importantly, films are worthwhile when they actually have a valuable message.
Harold and Maude has a meaningful message about taking advantage of life while you are still on this Earth. It also delivers the poignant message that age is no issue when it comes to relationships. These messages are rife and abundant in the form of this short, cult classic black comedy that is still regarded as one of the best films of all time.
20-year-old Harold Chasen (Cort) is a morbid young man with an affluent background who is obsessed with death - specifically suicide. Ever since Harold was reportedly killed in a chemistry lab accident at school and after subsequently witnessing his mother's priceless reaction, he concluded that it's more interesting to be dead than alive. When Harold is not staging elaborate phony suicide attempts he frequently attends the funerals of people he never knew. His mother (Pickles) attempts to break Harold of this unnatural obsession by sending him to a psychiatrist and hooking him up with young ladies. However this just encourages him to stage more phony suicides. Things look pretty hopeless for Harold...
Enter Maude (Gordon): an elderly 79-year-old woman who is soon going on 80. Maude tries to get Harold out of his shell and persuades him to enjoy life. To do this, Maude includes Harold in her never-ending string of lunatic adventures. Harold and Maude strike up an unusual friendship and as time passes by the fixation that Harold has with death gradually initiates a change into a thirst for life.
It has been several decades since Harold and Maude was initially released. Time has been very kind to this film; instead of its appeal disappearing it actually heightens with each year and each new screening. The film is indescribably charming and appealing. This black comedy will always remain basically unmatched. Interestingly, now that I've seen the film I envy those that have not seen it. I would do anything to travel back in time and watch it for the first time once again. What does this indicate? Quite simply: films containing this appeal and ingenuity are few and far between in this day and age. With Hollywood continuously forgetting the meaning of filmmaking and instead releasing a countless number of movies for money, it's relieving to revisit classics like this from the golden age of Hollywood. Harold and Maude holds up despite its age. In a sense it has a wonderful period flavour: featuring clothes and traditions of the time. Because of all these facts, the film is simply timeless.
Upon first release, critics did not like the performance from Bud Cort. They described him as simply flat. However it seems they have missed the whole point of the character: Harold is morbid, flat and dreary. His macabre nature is captured wonderfully by Cort. Ruth Gordon is best remembered for her Oscar-winning performance in Roman Polanski's 1968 film Rosemary's Baby. In this black comedy, Ruth is absolutely fabulous. She seems warm and friendly. Scenes featuring Bud and Ruth are sizzling. The chemistry between them in particular is insurmountable. Whenever the two actors are exchanging lines there's a gold-mine of witty dialogue brought to life with wonderful performances.
Overall, Harold and Maude is one of history's finest black comedies. Many filmmakers have tried, but the brilliance and originality of this magnificent cult classic remains fundamentally unmatched. The film is brilliant because it's atmospheric, grim and entertaining. Its appeal cannot be accurately described in words. The film is fun and frequently hilarious. Harold's phony suicide attempts are particularly hilarious! I heartily and emphatically recommend this movie! -
MCT:May 26, 2008
i hate that i was initially repulsed by idea of such an old woman and such a young man being romantically involved. i couldn't get into the film or get past my own judgement. the weird fake suicide attempts and the god awful mother made it almost unbearable. but once i finally got into it i saw how lovely and sweet this movie is and i loved the message of love and acceptance and grabbing life by the cajones and never selling yourself short. i wish i hadn't waited so long to see it
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MCT:May 22, 2008
The funniest, sweetest, most touching and relatable film ever made! Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort have incredibly good chemistry together and make these characters come to life as no one else could have possibly done. Cat Stevens music also elevates every scene.
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uuh iih ahh uhh what is the mecab version of like the graduate times twenty years thought for words ive only heard about this movie being a cultural classic but neve seen at all any parts at all too busy into the plane t of the apss series i guess at that time
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MCT:May 9, 2008
Oh my god! I love this movie! It's so good. I mean how could you not? It's so funny and has some serious elements all at the same time. One of the best movies of all time!
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MCT:May 8, 2008One of those classic films I?ve been meaning to see, but never got around to. I had been under the impression that this was a mellow-drama of sorts, but it was actually more of a satire. I?ve got to say I can see why a lot of people love this film, but I can?t really say I?m feeling the love for this one. Firstly the whole thing really seems to be copying another movie I don?t really get the fuss over, The Graduate. Both films have a similar tone, both are about a confused adolescent going after an older woman, and both have a song score by over-rated folk musicians. These similarities really are mostly superficial, but it was a distraction. The comedy just didn?t make me laugh, and the characters were both a little to strange to relate to, maybe I?ll revisit it some day.
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MCT:April 17, 2008
off-beat, morbid cult comedy classic. quirky, poignant, and absolutely hilarious. the acting was only fair, but the story was richly dark and the cat stevens soundtrack added another feel-good element. a classic film to make you love life and love movies.
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MCT:April 13, 2008
I cannot rave enough about this film. It is in my top fifteen movies. Ruth Gordon is beautiful and Bud Cort plays an awkward introvert to perfection. The end leaves me crying every time, but not for the obvious reason. Why does he have to crash that amazing car? Dammit!
