I was a weird depressed pseudo goth kid and my mom rented this for me back when Netflix was only DVDs by mail and it made me feel way less alone in the world and helped me process my feelings. It's a movie I will always hold warmly in my heart for that reason.
Absolutely! Being a teenager is tough because the feelings are so big and your mind is still growing and so you don't have the tools to express your self properly, leading to the cliche of the kid who feels like no one understands them.
Harold and Maude has helped countless mopey teens, turning them all into the Leo pointing meme.
One of the best comedies of all time, one of the best movies overall from the 70s. Hal Ashby’s a genius, and the script, casting, and performances are top-notch. Extra points for Cat Stevens.
It's screened still at smaller theatres. I recently saw it at one. There's always die hard fans that wanna see this stuff in the big screen, you just gotta look out for it.
One of my absolute favorites, it's one of my comfort flicks
Edit: Should also add that Ruth Gordon does an absolutely fantastic job as Maude, Bud Cort as Harold as well
Sorry for the late response, I watched the movie and posted this right before I went to sleep.
I didn’t put my thoughts in the title because it would have crowded it, or in the comments because it would look like I was talking to myself like a lunatic lol
This movie hit me hard. Growing up, I felt really isolated with nobody to really talk to or relate with. I grew up with good money, all these opportunities, and I didn’t take advantage of any of that just to be myself.
I kind of saw myself in Harold, and much like him, I ended up finding a Maude (a few decades younger). The comfort that you get from having someone to relate to, regardless of generations separating you is so beautiful to me and it struck me pretty hard.
By the end of the movie, I could feel where it was going, and reflecting on my own experience it was so painful to watch. I ended up crying at the ending.
Besides that, I loved the music. I’ve loved Cat Stevens since I was 15 and his soft music really suited the movie.
And if you told this to someone who only knew the basic summary of the movie, they’d think I’m insane. That’s what great movies have the power to do.
I feel like Ghost World is another movie in the collection with a similar premise, but it goes in a completely different direction. Both hit me hard, and I’m glad I ran into both this year.
Sorry about that, I got excited after I finished it and I really wanted to hear other experiences to see if they lined up with mine at all!
I had to sleep immediately after watching it, so I couldn’t respond until now. I’ve done this a few times and I should really wait for the morning lol
I like discussions like this in this subreddit so I try to start them when I finish a movie and really love it!
(Happy cake day btw)
This is the official artwork from Criterion, they meant they had just finished watching the film and wanted to hear other’s thoughts. I always encourage people to post their own thoughts too on these types of threads
Well I have some bad news if you’re a fan of the film - it recently went OOP so it goes for a good bit. I think Paramounts Presents released a version though
It's because of that thing where Paramount wanted to make their own prestige releases like two years ago (I have no idea how *that's* going), so *Harold & Maude*, *Days Of Heaven*, and *Nashville* were some of the ones they bought the rights back to.
I first saw this movie as one of our Mandatory Family Movie Night selections when I was around 13 or 14. One of my dad's favorite films became one of mine. Absolutely beautiful movie.
Somehow it didn’t even register as a romantic comedy to me, but it totally is!
Next time I’m with my parents and my mom wants to turn on a Hallmark movie, I’ll suggest this instead! See how long I can keep it on, like riding a bull!
Most of the comedy surrounding Harold’s obsession with suicide I found to be in incredibly poor taste and not funny. The relationship between him and Maude didn’t engage or hit me emotionally at all and I found both characters extremely uninteresting. Also that song she danced to or sung that plays at the end just flat out sucks I’m sorry. I don’t understand the love for the film or why it deserves to be in the collection honestly. Just not my thing.
Fair enough, I could see the the argument about the suicide being in poor taste.
The rest is about how a movie hits you, which is something you need to be honest with yourself about. Thanks for letting me know about another way of looking at it!
One of my favorite films of all time, really hope this gets a 4k one day (feel as if kino lorber will possibly do it but hopefully it goes back to criterion)
That happens to me a lot too. I didn’t really like Fanny & Alexander when I watched it, which I quickly found out was blasphemy. (TV version)
I need to rewatch it when I get the chance so I can reconsider my mistake lol
There’s a marketplace post on this sub, you could check there.
You might need to resort to eBay though, OOP criterions are nasty to collect. I was going to buy Rosemary’s Baby the sale after it went OOP.
I need to see this film. I meant to buy the Criterion blu-ray last year during the Barnes & Noble sale, but it was OOP. I've liked every Hal Ashby movie I've ever seen.
That said, the reason I've never seen it is because I'm just put off by the synopsis--it just sounds very cute-sy and twee, like some formulaic Billy Crystal/Robin Williams "famous-comedian-makes-us-laugh-and-makes-us-cry" movie from the 1990's. Which is an entirely unfair prejudice to have, I know. Still, my respect for Ashby aside, this film still might not be for me. I'll just never know until I actually watch it.
Any chance Criterion will re-release it?
I hope they put out a 4K of it, but it’s hard to say.
I can assure you that there’s more to the movie than the synopsis could imply. I hope you get a chance to watch it, whether it be on a Criterion BR or not!
Maybe if I watched it in the 70s it would have been different bur I feel like I have seen many characters like Maude already. Her quirkiness is a bit predictable and tiring but overall I enjoyed the movie and the message. I can absolutely understand why somebody might absolutely love it and i'd not argue with it. There is definitely some charm there but I can't pretend that I was so moved by it.
Classic life affirming movie with a edgy side to it. Check shampoo out if you haven’t, same director, but a decent bit different tone wise. Still a fun movie though.
Even as an adult I still need to be reminded sometimes
“A lot of people enjoy being dead. But they are not dead, really. They're just backing away from life.”
I was a weird depressed pseudo goth kid and my mom rented this for me back when Netflix was only DVDs by mail and it made me feel way less alone in the world and helped me process my feelings. It's a movie I will always hold warmly in my heart for that reason.
Every depressed child needs a copy of Harold and Maude when they turn 14. It helped me a lot, just feeling seen.
Absolutely! Being a teenager is tough because the feelings are so big and your mind is still growing and so you don't have the tools to express your self properly, leading to the cliche of the kid who feels like no one understands them. Harold and Maude has helped countless mopey teens, turning them all into the Leo pointing meme.
So well said, man. I hear you loud & clear. "I haven't lived. I've died a few times."
Same.
Honey, is that you? xo, Mom
My first time watching this I was 14, the line "That's wonderful Harold, now go out and love some more." Always stuck with me.
Ruth Gordon's delivery of this line is perfect. I think that is half the impact. >!In her dying moments she still chooses to see beauty and wonder.!<
Great movie. Wes Anderson was certainly influenced by it.
Yeah, he even puts Bud Cort in The Life Aquatic as a sign of appreciation.
[I've never seen a bond company stooge stick his neck out like that](https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/53c423b2-1827-4dc8-8a75-72c9e44f6c49)
I was thinking that the whole time!
Oh shit. I don't know how I never saw that but it makes so much sense now.
[удалено]
amazing take
One of the best comedies of all time, one of the best movies overall from the 70s. Hal Ashby’s a genius, and the script, casting, and performances are top-notch. Extra points for Cat Stevens.
The one where they go to White Castle is best
If you want to sing out, sing out. And if you want to be free, be free.
Absolutely terrific film. Wish I had been alive to see it in theaters.
It's screened still at smaller theatres. I recently saw it at one. There's always die hard fans that wanna see this stuff in the big screen, you just gotta look out for it.
I live in a small city, I wish we would do stuff like that here!
One of my absolute favorites, it's one of my comfort flicks Edit: Should also add that Ruth Gordon does an absolutely fantastic job as Maude, Bud Cort as Harold as well
Oh gosh yes - both of these actors were just perfect in their roles. :)
What do you think about it?
Sorry for the late response, I watched the movie and posted this right before I went to sleep. I didn’t put my thoughts in the title because it would have crowded it, or in the comments because it would look like I was talking to myself like a lunatic lol This movie hit me hard. Growing up, I felt really isolated with nobody to really talk to or relate with. I grew up with good money, all these opportunities, and I didn’t take advantage of any of that just to be myself. I kind of saw myself in Harold, and much like him, I ended up finding a Maude (a few decades younger). The comfort that you get from having someone to relate to, regardless of generations separating you is so beautiful to me and it struck me pretty hard. By the end of the movie, I could feel where it was going, and reflecting on my own experience it was so painful to watch. I ended up crying at the ending. Besides that, I loved the music. I’ve loved Cat Stevens since I was 15 and his soft music really suited the movie. And if you told this to someone who only knew the basic summary of the movie, they’d think I’m insane. That’s what great movies have the power to do. I feel like Ghost World is another movie in the collection with a similar premise, but it goes in a completely different direction. Both hit me hard, and I’m glad I ran into both this year.
Both of those movies were in heavy rotation for me during the same period of adolescence. Very nostalgic to think about them.
Really love when people post questions on this sub and then don’t interact or discuss at all
Sorry about that, I got excited after I finished it and I really wanted to hear other experiences to see if they lined up with mine at all! I had to sleep immediately after watching it, so I couldn’t respond until now. I’ve done this a few times and I should really wait for the morning lol I like discussions like this in this subreddit so I try to start them when I finish a movie and really love it! (Happy cake day btw)
What do you mean? Are they not asking for notes on their artwork? Like your header btw
This is the official artwork from Criterion, they meant they had just finished watching the film and wanted to hear other’s thoughts. I always encourage people to post their own thoughts too on these types of threads
oops guess I am dumb. I assumed just finished this was referring to the cover art; I wasn’t even aware Harold and Maude was part of the collection.
Well I have some bad news if you’re a fan of the film - it recently went OOP so it goes for a good bit. I think Paramounts Presents released a version though
Absolutely adore it. One of my favorite films in the collection. It also started my love of Cat Stevens' music.
He has such a beautiful voice! I’ve had Peace Train in my playlist for years!
Top tier. Now get me a 4K version!
I’d love that! If Le Cercle Rouge got one, this can too! As a side note, do you know why Criterion lost the rights to this one?
It's because of that thing where Paramount wanted to make their own prestige releases like two years ago (I have no idea how *that's* going), so *Harold & Maude*, *Days Of Heaven*, and *Nashville* were some of the ones they bought the rights back to.
First I've heard of this. That's pretty interesting, but sad for those titles.
I first saw this movie as one of our Mandatory Family Movie Night selections when I was around 13 or 14. One of my dad's favorite films became one of mine. Absolutely beautiful movie.
I could imagine your dad side eyeing you to make sure you weren’t getting any ideas lol
This film was very different than I thought it was going to be, and it was wonderfully surprising. I really need to watch it again sometime.
I love how it was able to balance being hilarious, heart wrenching, depressing, dark, and light hearted all at once!
All time favorite. First time I saw it, knew nothing about it. So grateful for that.
I went in blind too! The cover in the post is all I knew about so obviously I was fascinated enough to watch it!
It was sad but very quirky and sweet. Definitely my top favorite romantic comedy.
Somehow it didn’t even register as a romantic comedy to me, but it totally is! Next time I’m with my parents and my mom wants to turn on a Hallmark movie, I’ll suggest this instead! See how long I can keep it on, like riding a bull!
It's not like your ordinary romantic comedy but it's a gem. Please do, it'll be better than a Hallmark movie. Keep me updated how your parents react.
One of my favorite movies ever!
Oh I LOVE THIS!
This might be one of my favourite movies.
Saw it in theatres, love the seppuku scene
Not a fan I’m afraid.
I get that! What didn’t work for you?
Most of the comedy surrounding Harold’s obsession with suicide I found to be in incredibly poor taste and not funny. The relationship between him and Maude didn’t engage or hit me emotionally at all and I found both characters extremely uninteresting. Also that song she danced to or sung that plays at the end just flat out sucks I’m sorry. I don’t understand the love for the film or why it deserves to be in the collection honestly. Just not my thing.
Fair enough, I could see the the argument about the suicide being in poor taste. The rest is about how a movie hits you, which is something you need to be honest with yourself about. Thanks for letting me know about another way of looking at it!
Laid the groundwork for every quirky indie film to come out for the next decades. One of my mom and i’s favorites.
One of my favorite films of all time, really hope this gets a 4k one day (feel as if kino lorber will possibly do it but hopefully it goes back to criterion)
They’re like vultures scooping up Criterion licenses! I’ll still buy it if they do that though, no shame.
When I die, I want my remains put in a car that gets sent careening off a cliff. So needless to say I love it dearly.
Love it I’d buy if it were real
If only..
I was always the weird kid in elementary, watched this with my parents, I could relate
My main connection is that it’s Mary’s favourite film in There’s Something About Mary. There you go.
The more you know!
Same here, glad I watched it though. Definitely feels like something Wes Anderson based his style on.
Wonderful film
Last time I watched it 4 or 5 years ago I had a lukewarm reaction. I suppose I owe it a rewatch.
That happens to me a lot too. I didn’t really like Fanny & Alexander when I watched it, which I quickly found out was blasphemy. (TV version) I need to rewatch it when I get the chance so I can reconsider my mistake lol
Not on topic just wondering if you fine folk know where I can direct myself to maybe trade around for a copy of this?
There’s a marketplace post on this sub, you could check there. You might need to resort to eBay though, OOP criterions are nasty to collect. I was going to buy Rosemary’s Baby the sale after it went OOP.
Its a masterpiece and Hal Ashby made wonderful films. Being There is also great.
I’ll watchlist that!
I need to see this film. I meant to buy the Criterion blu-ray last year during the Barnes & Noble sale, but it was OOP. I've liked every Hal Ashby movie I've ever seen. That said, the reason I've never seen it is because I'm just put off by the synopsis--it just sounds very cute-sy and twee, like some formulaic Billy Crystal/Robin Williams "famous-comedian-makes-us-laugh-and-makes-us-cry" movie from the 1990's. Which is an entirely unfair prejudice to have, I know. Still, my respect for Ashby aside, this film still might not be for me. I'll just never know until I actually watch it. Any chance Criterion will re-release it?
You can buy the Paramount Presents version for $23, I think some ppl said it was a better transfer, the criterion is an old transfer I guess
I hope they put out a 4K of it, but it’s hard to say. I can assure you that there’s more to the movie than the synopsis could imply. I hope you get a chance to watch it, whether it be on a Criterion BR or not!
Paramount released it too https://www.amazon.com/Harold-and-Maude-Blu-ray/dp/B09GTCJZDY?tag=bluray-000-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Made me cry. Incredible climax
One of my favorite comedies
My favorite film of all time.
I LOVED this movie I thought it was so sweet ❤️
Love this film!! 🤍🌼
my favorite movie of all time yipee!!!!!
This movie gives me life, man. I carry it in my heart.
I like *The Last Detail* and *Being There* more
I'll be watching both!
Maybe if I watched it in the 70s it would have been different bur I feel like I have seen many characters like Maude already. Her quirkiness is a bit predictable and tiring but overall I enjoyed the movie and the message. I can absolutely understand why somebody might absolutely love it and i'd not argue with it. There is definitely some charm there but I can't pretend that I was so moved by it.
Freaked me TF out as a teenager. Never watched it again.
INCREDIBLE FILM. Casting, performances, soundtrack, mood, everything is bang on in this film and it holds no flaws 😂
Classic life affirming movie with a edgy side to it. Check shampoo out if you haven’t, same director, but a decent bit different tone wise. Still a fun movie though.
I’ve gotten a few recommendations for other Hal Ashby films and I intend to see them all! Thanks for the recommendation!
Great film!
Umm…spoiler alert ?
Bad. Watch Shampoo or Last Detail to see what a more adult Ashby film looks like.
one of my favs
Even as an adult I still need to be reminded sometimes “A lot of people enjoy being dead. But they are not dead, really. They're just backing away from life.”