The theme of the movie is edgy and perhaps inappropriate for its extreme depiction of a deviant behavior. The story is about a wealthy and obsessive teenager named Harold who is self-destructive and preoccupied with the thoughts of suicide, self mutilation, fascination with attending burial ceremonies in the local cemetery, and the destruction of property. His wealthy and somewhat eccentric mother, tired of his compulsive behavior, helps to broaden his social skills by sending him to a therapist, arranging for a date through dating services and even buying him a nice car. At the end she even forces him to join the army. Ultimately it is his friendship with anarchic 80 year old woman by the name Maude that materializes into a strange but positive experience in his life. This is not exactly May next-December romance but a relationship in which he finds many common interests with her that turn into love and romance. On The day he proposes to her, to the dislikes of his mother, family and friends; he finds out that she is dying and in fact that is the last day of her life. It doesn't appear to be tragic because of so many inequalities and inadequacies in their lives, but the relationship is depicted in a non-sexual manner with sensibilities and finding common interests irrespective of their wide age difference.
The movie is set on 1960s themes of anti-establishment with a Woodstock-sense of responsibility. Yet Harold exhibits strange a sense of responsibility when he finds Maude destroying and stealing property, he tells her; "you are upsetting people," regarding his appointment with therapist, he says, "He can't miss the appt." and expresses sympathy for Maude when she says she has no friends. The movie in many depicts the strange thoughts of many young people of today who succumb to drug and other self-destructive behavior. It is a study of a sociological and psychological condition that is harder to understand and appreciate.
The highlight of the movie is the fine performance of Ruth Gordon as Maude and Vivian Pickles as Mrs. Chasen, the wealthy mother of Harold. The film is strongly supported by Cat Steven's fine music that provides the soundtrack.
The movie is set on 1960s themes of anti-establishment with a Woodstock-sense of responsibility. Yet Harold exhibits strange a sense of responsibility when he finds Maude destroying and stealing property, he tells her; "you are upsetting people," regarding his appointment with therapist, he says, "He can't miss the appt." and expresses sympathy for Maude when she says she has no friends. The movie in many depicts the strange thoughts of many young people of today who succumb to drug and other self-destructive behavior. It is a study of a sociological and psychological condition that is harder to understand and appreciate.
The highlight of the movie is the fine performance of Ruth Gordon as Maude and Vivian Pickles as Mrs. Chasen, the wealthy mother of Harold. The film is strongly supported by Cat Steven's fine music that provides the soundtrack.
Reference: Harold and Maude – DVD, starring Ruth Gordon
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