The Film:  Harold and Maude

Year: 1971

Genre:  Black Comedy

Directed By: Hal Ashby

Written By:  Colin Higgins

Starring:  Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon

Why Rent It?

Black comedies don’t get much better than Harold and Maude—the film ranks at #45 on the American Film Institutes  100 Funniest Movies of All Time.

But, the story of a young boy named Harold, who is fascinated with death, and the 79 year-old woman who becomes his unlikely best friend, is one that is as surprisingly touching as it is funny.

Harold meets Maude at a funeral, but not just any funeral.  It’s the funeral for someone neither of them knows—they just happen to like attending funerals.

They become fast friends, and the 79 year-old Maude teaches Harold how to enjoy his life, while Harold helps Maude enjoy the twilight of hers.

The Breakdown:

Harold’s over-the-top actions are really cries for attention.  And, he’s crying loudly…especially since his hobby is staging his own death:

The unlikely, but lovely friendship between the young Harold and elder Maude is seen throughout the film:

The music of Harold and Maude is as much a character as the actors.  Cat Stevens never sounded so good:

Final Analysis: 

Although Harold and Maude was a commercial flop when it was released, the film has continued to gain an audience.  It’s even received the Family Guy treatment:

If you’re looking for a comedy that will make you think for days after you see it, rent Harold and Maude.

Harold and Maude is available on DVD and at Netflix.

The Criterion Collection edition of Harold and Maude will be released this summer.