Harold and Maude

[Dinerman]

I'm sure there's a thread on it here somewhere, but the search isn't giving me anything.

What a great, wacky movie. While it may not be one of the best movies ever, it's certainly one of my favorites.

 

[Rosie]

This is a great movie. I saw it years ago after it was referenced a few times in another movie (which movie I forget) but, I really like it. It was on TCM not long ago but I was out and missed it.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

Quirky, strange, and interesting for the time

I agree, it is a good movie. It's quirky and definitely interesting to watch. The premise is a bit odd, and it's really gross to think about that happening in real life between an elderly woman and a late teens kid. But, it is definitely an intriguing movie to watch. It was well directed. Does anyone know if it has since been re-mastered? The last time I saw this, it has been years, the print of it was rather bad.

 

[Dinerman]

I've got the DVD, and it's very clean.

 

[Mr. Sable]

How can you not love that movie?!

 

[jake_fink]

It's a wonderful film. It was directed by Hal Ashby who began as an editor for Norman Jewison and went on to direct a number of excellent films, among them, The Last Detail, Shampoo and one of my favourite 30s set movies, Bound for Glory. His last big film was Being There, and then he became quite ill, directing one more film and passing away far too early.

 

[Dinerman]

hey- it's the biltmore!

 

[LadyStardust]

I enjoyed this movie when I saw it. I must admit, I still can't quite understand why it has a big a "cult" following as it does, but that's just me. I thought Bud Cort did a marvellous job in his role, and Ruth Gordon was woderful.

 

[imoldfashioned]

Great film

Even though I find it rather dated this is one of the few cult films that really lives up to its repuatation for me. The casting just couldn't be better, not only the two leads but Harold's mother and the girlfriends. The connection between Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon was so believable for me and without that the premise would have fallen apart. I haven't seen it in awhile, but I particularly remember the scene where Harold tells Maude about his first suicide attempt always makes me tear up. And the numbers on Maude's arm. Great film.

 

[Brooksie]

I remember years ago when this movie first came out on VHS my Mom rented it and we popped it in and we watched the first 15 min. and the rest of the movie was totally fuzzy and unwatchable, so we took it back to the rental place and got our money back. A few weeks later we tried renting it again, we went to a different rental place and we saw about 30 min. and then the screen just turned to snow, so at that point and time we just gave up and never tried to rent it again... so I have never actually seen the movie but I always pretty much knew what it was about.

Brooksie

 

[Slicksuit]

A worthy movie to watch

I would echo the previous responses that the movie is very wonderful. My first exposure to the movie was in my gender studies class a few years ago (movie was an example of ageism and gender roles).
The quote of Maude telling Harold to "Live Life!" is something that will stay with me forever. Maude's joyful exhuberance towards life was very inspirational.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

It's a wonderful film. It was directed by Hal Ashby who began as an editor for Norman Jewison and went on to direct a number of excellent films, among them, The Last Detail, Shampoo and one of my favourite 30s set movies, Bound for Glory. His last big film was Being There, and then he became quite ill, directing one more film and passing away far too early.

That is great information to know. Thanks. I've liked this film since the first time I saw it about 18 years ago, but I never new anything about it's background.

I have heard of the film "Bound for Glory" but have never seen it. Now I've got another film to add to my list of must sees. I really should know more about the background of the films that I like/love. Lucky for me I belong to this great forum called The Fedora Lounge where knowledgeable people give useful information.....Thanks