Harold and Maude

"Harold, *everyone* has the right to make an ass out of themselves. You just can't let the world judge you too much."

Harold Chasen (Cort) is obsessed with death.  He creates elaborate suicide attempts which his socialite mother (Pickles) ignores.  He drives a hearse and regularly attends funerals.  At a funeral he meets Maude (Gordon) a 79 year old woman with a zest for life.  Maude steals cars and tries to do something new each day.

Despite their differences, Harold and Maude strict up an easy friendship.  His mother tries to find him a wife, while his Uncle Victor (Tyner) tries to get him to join the military.  Maude teaches Harold how to embrace life and their friendship blossoms into romance.


Harold and Maude is a cult comedy classic that consistently appears on top movie lists.  It appeared on 4 of the AFI's 100 Years list: 100 Years ... 100 Laughs, 100 Years ... 100 Passions, 100 Years ... 100 Cheers, and AFI's 10 Top 10.  But when it was released it received mixed reviews from critics and it did not receive any awards (although the stars were nominated for Golden Globes).

Director Hal Ashby began his Hollywood career as a film editor, before successfully transitioning to directing (this was his second time directing).  The script was written by Colin Higgins (in his Hollywood debut).  Later the screenplay was turned into a novel, and Higgins adapted it as a play which ran on Broadway in 1980.  Higgins wanted to make a sequel focused on Harold and a prequel about Maude, but neither project happened.

Ruth Gordon is perfect as Maude.  You love her from the beginning and she gets the most memorable lines.  She is the most interesting character and gives a stellar performance.  Bud Cort captures a different side to Harold, but still draws you into his struggles.  They have good chemistry and the film is better when they are together.  Vivian Pickles is good as Harold's icy / apathetic mother.

An entertaining movie that packs an emotional punch... definitely worth watching.

Harold and Maude (1971) 91 minutes
Director: Hal Ashby
Starring: Ruth Gordon as Maude
Bud Cort as Harold Chasen
Vivian Pickles as Mrs. Chasen
Cyril Cusack as Glaucus
Charles Tyner as Uncle Victor