Movie spotlight
Harold et Maude
Harold Chasen is a young man of 19 years with an overflowing and morbid imagination, who takes advantage of his free time to attend funerals, and stage suicides to react to his mother, Mrs. Chasen, a strict, tyrannical woman and a a bit hysterical, who takes care of finding a wife for his son. But when Harold meets Maude, "80 year old princess", nonconformist and full of life, everything changes for the young man. The old woman teaches him to love life through more wacky experiences than each other, and Harold falls in love with it.
Insights
Plot Summary
A quirky young man named Harold, obsessed with death and funerals, meets a life-affirming 79-year-old woman named Maude. Their unlikely friendship blossoms into a unique romance that challenges societal norms and celebrates living life to the fullest. Harold's dark fascination with mortality is contrasted by Maude's vibrant zest for life, leading them on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
Critical Reception
Harold and Maude was initially met with mixed reviews and commercial disappointment but has since become a beloved cult classic. Critics today praise its dark humor, unconventional romance, and themes of life and death, with Ruth Gordon's performance as Maude being particularly lauded. It is now considered a landmark film in counterculture cinema.
What Reviewers Say
A darkly comedic and touching exploration of life, death, and unconventional love.
Praised for its unique blend of humor and pathos, and outstanding performances.
Celebrated for its anti-establishment message and uplifting portrayal of finding joy in unexpected places.
Google audience: Audiences appreciate the film's originality, its thought-provoking themes, and the heartwarming, unusual relationship between Harold and Maude. Many find it to be a touching and life-affirming experience that stays with them long after viewing.
Awards & Accolades
None notable (though critically acclaimed and a cult favorite, it did not receive major award nominations).
Fun Fact
The funeral home in the film was a real funeral home located in the Hollywood Hills, and director Hal Ashby reportedly rented it out for filming.
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