Harold and Maude is 1971 “unusual” romantic comedy. Characters of Harold and Maude are played by Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon respectively. The name of the film sounds like a usual love affair between a young man and woman, first the man indeed is a young lad, and however the woman is 80 years old.
Harold is privileged high society guy. Life to him is just a farce, a thing to play with. He is in a strange habit of playing the drama of his own death over and over again. As the movie starts we see Harold playing as if he has committed suicide by hanging from a rope however his mother doesn’t pay any attention to the drama at all. As he belongs to high class, extravagant parties are common at their home. As her mother arranges a party at home Harold plays the scene of his suicide again but this time he is sent to have consultation from a psychiatrist. The meeting with psychiatrist has little effect on him and he indulges in his favorite pastime again. This time he gets a hearse and makes it to the funeral of a stranger. And here is the second unusual feature of the film. Harold meets the one whom he is able to relate to for the first time – Maude, at a funeral. As he meets Maude again at a funeral, she confesses that she doesn’t know the deceased but he was 80 – and it was the right time to say goodbye.
As Harold manages to get rid of many dates his mother has arranged for him, he sleeps with Maude.
As the film ends Maude commits suicide by gulping pills – BECAUSE she is eighty and it’s the right time to go.
“Trouble O trouble set me free, I have seen your face and it is too much too much for me” is playing in the background and as Harold’s car plunges into sea we are sure that Harold hasn’t been able to cope with the death of Maude.
But Maude by committing suicide has given the gift of life to Harold. Harold is seen dancing and playing Banjo just at the edge of the cliff.
Harold and Maude
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