Tell Me: Where Do The Children Play?

“Harold and Maude” (1971) — movie review
Today’s review is for the dark romantic comedy “Harold and Maude” (1971), directed by Hal Ashby and starring Bud Cort as Harold Chasen (a morbid, death-obsessed young man staging elaborate fake suicides to shock his detached mother), Ruth Gordon as Maude (an eccentric, life-embracing octogenarian who teaches Harold joy and spontaneity), Vivian Pickles as Mrs. Chasen (Harold’s controlling mother, intent on arranging his future), Cyril Cusack as Glaucus (a gentle artist friend of Maude), Charles Tyner as the exasperated psychiatrist, and Ellen Geer as one of Harold’s would-be fiancées.  The ensemble is rounded out by Cat Stevens’ music, which functions almost as a character itself, underscoring the film’s existential themes.
Background:  I had heard about this movie back in the day, but have never seen it.  No particular reason, but it doesn’t “sound” like (a “dark, romantic comedy”)  the kind of movie I would have been interest in back then (in my teens).  As (almost) always though, I would have given it positive points for having been filmed in the San Francisco Bay Area.  LoL.  Released in December 1971, “Harold and Maude” was initially a box-office disappointment but grew into a cult classic through midnight screenings and word of mouth.  With a modest budget of about $1.2 million, it eventually became one of Paramount’s most enduring catalog titles.  The film earned Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor (Bud Cort) and Best Actress (Ruth Gordon) in a Comedy or Musical, and a BAFTA nomination for Cort as Most Promising Newcomer.  In 1974, it won the Golden Spike for Best Film at the Valladolid International Film Festival.  In 1997, it was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry, cementing its historic significance as a daring exploration of taboo romance and existential comedy.
Plot:  Harold Chasen, a wealthy but emotionally stifled young man, spends his days attending funerals and staging mock suicides to provoke his mother.  At one funeral, he meets Maude, a free-spirited 79-year-old woman who lives unconventionally, stealing cars, planting trees, and embracing life with gusto.  Their unlikely friendship blossoms into romance, challenging Harold’s obsession with death and his mother’s rigid expectations.  As Harold learns to embrace life through Maude’s philosophy, the film builds toward a bittersweet climax that underscores the fleeting nature of love and the enduring power of joy.
So, is this movie any good?  How’s the acting?  The filming / FX?  Any problems?  And, did I enjoy the film?  Short answers:  Yes;  quirky and heartfelt;  simple but effective;  a few;  yes.
Any Good?  Yes.  “Harold and Maude” is a bold and very unconventional love story that blends dark humor with existential reflection.  It challenges social norms and offers an thoughtful meditation on mortality and meaning.
Acting:  Bud Cort embodies Harold’s awkward morbidity with deadpan precision, while Ruth Gordon radiates warmth, mischief, and vitality as Maude.  Their chemistry is improbable yet present (and even magnetic), anchoring the film’s emotional core.  Vivian Pickles delivers biting satire as Harold’s mother, and the supporting cast adds texture to Harold’s world.  Gordon’s performance, in particular, elevates the film into something memorable.
Filming / FX:  Hal Ashby’s direction is understated, allowing the eccentric characters to shine.  John Alonzo’s cinematography captures both sterile upper-class interiors and the liberating openness of Maude’s world.  The editing balances gallows humor with tender moments.  Cat Stevens’ soundtrack — including “If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out” — provides emotional resonance, becoming inseparable from the film’s identity.
Problems:  A few.  The film’s dark humor and taboo romance may alienate some viewers, particularly in its frank depiction of an age-gap relationship.  The pacing occasionally drags, and Harold’s staged suicides, while satirical, become repetitive.  Yet these quirks are part of the film’s charm.  Note:  This is not a film to view if you have your own issues with suicide or thoughts of “self-harm”.
Did I Enjoy the Film?  Yes.  “Harold and Maude” is funny and poignant, and it will probably linger for some days after viewing.  Its blend of absurdity and sincerity makes it one of the most distinctive romantic comedies I’ve ever seen.
Final Recommendation:  Strong to High recommendation.  “Harold and Maude” is a landmark cult classic, preserved in the National Film Registry and celebrated for its daring exploration of love, death, and freedom.  Rated PG for thematic elements, it remains a film that asks audiences to reconsider what it means to truly live.  Watch it for Gordon’s luminous performance, Cort’s deadpan morbidity, and Cat Stevens’ unforgettable soundtrack.
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Click here (8 January) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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