Harold & Maude [VHS]

		Harold and Maude Poster Movie French 11x17
		Cat Stevens/Gold
		Being There (Deluxe Edition)
		Being There
		King of Hearts

Black comedies don't come much blacker than this cult favorite from 1972, and they don't come much funnier, either. It seemed that director Hal Ashby was the perfect choice to mine a mother lode of eccentricity from the original script by Colin Higgins, about the unlikely romance between a death-obsessed 19-year-old named Harold (Bud Cort) and a life-loving 79-year-old widow named Maude (Ruth Gordon). They meet at a funeral, and Maude finds something oddly appealing about Harold, urging him to "reach out" and grab life by the lapels as opposed to dwelling morbidly on mortality. Harold grows fond of the old gal--she's a lot more fun than the girls his mother desperately matches him up with--and together they make Harold & Maude one of the sweetest and most unconventional love stories ever made. Much of the earlier humor arises from Harold's outrageous suicide fantasies, played out as a kind of twisted parlor game to mortify his mother, who's grown immune to her strange son's antics. Gradually, however, the film's clever humor shifts to a brighter outlook and finally arrives at a point where Harold is truly happy to be alive. Featuring soundtrack songs by Cat Stevens, this comedy certainly won't appeal to all tastes (it was a box-office flop when first released), but if you're on its quirky wavelength, it might just strike you as one of the funniest movies you've ever seen. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Review:A2VE2ZJ0PB2PGP
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Summary: Movie-Harold & Maude

Could not view the movie. When I turned it on it said "Region Error". Unable to play. Had to send it back. Movie Mars e-mailed me that they would reimburse my credit card. I would have preferred to have the movie. They shouldn't send out movies that people cannot view. I am out the postage, both to have it shipped here and to send it back. The movie "Harold & Maude" is one of my favorites. There is nothing wrong with the movie itself, just the fact that I couldn't view it.

Customer Review:A2E0TJ49NACDBA
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Summary: Maude is steering... ut oh

Harold is a young rich kid who finds that the only thing in life that brings him joy is death - namely faking his and attending funerals for those who have recently experienced their own (never mind that he doesn't know the recently departed). Maude is a much much older lady who finds that the only thing in life that brings her joy is everything, especially the things she shouldn't do - like attending funerals of strangers and then stealing cars of mourners to get herself home. The two of course meet up and an unlikely wild ride ensues.

If I'm not mistaken this was filmed in '71 and released in '72? I was born around then so I missed this one until now when it came up in a "If you like these movies, you may like this one" search. It was so good that I realized I may need to start catching up on some others I missed that were "before my time". If you like quirky, character driven stories, this is a good one to go with so long as some darker themes don't offend you.

Customer Review:A3V8G1EQHKDD2G
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Summary: Harold and Maude

Enjoyable early 1970's movie about a troubled rich kid (Harold) who is bored with life. He goes to anonymous funerals for fun, where he meets Maude, a lively ol' broad about to turn eighty and enjoying every minute she can!! Her enthusiasm for living begins to transform Harold until he is ready for love. Car buffs will enjoy the short but sweet Junkyard scene, and the classic '59 Cadillac Hearse used in the film!! (No they DON'T WRECK IT, thank goodness!!) But unfortunately they Do Wreck a (then new) Jaguar. I like it, and have watched it several times!! Jon

Customer Review:A6XO36PYI54J8
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Summary: Rare and wonderful storytelling

This is one of those rare films that teaches a lesson without being didactic, that pulls on your heart strings without being sappy, and that is above else a really unique, entertaining and engaging story.

The film is about a teenage boy obsessed with death-- or so he thinks. What his relationship with Maude teaches him is that he actually just hasn't figured out how to enjoy life. Maude is someone who has been through much worse than Harold has seen, and because of this understands happiness as fully as she understands pain.

This film is as daring as it is touching. Yet, it is never daring or edgy in spite of the script. Despite how strange or unexpected things get, it all fits together perfectly in a wonderfully told, wonderfully paced, and very funny story in which each scene packs both entertainment and meaning.

It doesn't hurt that the soundtrack is entirely Cat Stevens...

As far as this DVD goes, there are no extra features besides a trailer so if that's your thing you might want to find another copy if it exists. 5 stars for Harold and Maude being a truly great film worth adding to any collection.

Customer Review:A1SIVCZZ0YZT0R
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Summary: I Love Everything About This Movie

Yes, I admit it. This movie is my all-time favorite. And the first time I saw it, it wasn't. On that occasion the auditorium was filled with students who'd seen it before and laughed *before* the funny parts. I was peeved and also somewhat horrified about the idea of such an age-discrepant couple. Fast forward some years, and I saw it again. In silence. Wow!!! The music (nearly all of it by Cat Stevens - available in pieces on Tea for the Tillerman and Footsteps in the Dark: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2) is excellent. The casting is perfect. The acting is super. The dialogue is amazing. The timing is spot-on. The settings (Harold's mother's mansion, Maude's house, the church, the therapist's office, the graveyard, etc.) are perfect. And the message of hope springs eternal. (... although if you are religious and take the ending literally, you may be offended ...) This movie never gets old for me. I highly recommend it.