Generation gap romance

Classic Film Review

Harold and Maude (1971)

Directed by Hal Ashby

Screenplay by Colin Higgins

Music by Cat Stevens

Alvy Singer once said life was divided into the horrible and the miserable. For the young and wealthy Harold Parker Chasen (Bud Court) life is divided into destruction and death. Harold’s hobbies are attending funerals of strangers, watching the destruction of buildings and simulating suicide. The fascination (and enjoyment) with the latter can be attributed to an accident in a chemistry lab in boarding school when Harold’s mother (Vivian Pickles) thought he had died. Harold simulates suicides (hanging, fires, knives, guns, etc) with hopes his proper and ineffectual mother will show genuine emotion and affection towards him. She tries to reach him by spoiling him with an expensive Jaguar (which he later modifies into a Jaguar/hearse hybrid) and setting him up with girls from a computer dating service to no avail. Not even his militant, one-armed war hero Uncle Victor (Charles Tyner), nor his psychiatrist (G. Wood) can change his behavior.

From the above one may gather Harold and Maude is not the typical romantic comedy or film for that matter. In Hal Ashby’s Being There we saw the director deftly handle an unnatural, eccentric and wholly original character in Chauncey Gardener (Peter Sellers) with humor, charm and poignancy. All these elements are present in Harold and Maude. It is a story of the most improbable of “romances” – a morose young man (presumably early 20’s) and Maude, (Ruth Gordon) a free-spirited, willing-to-try anything (steal cars, transplant trees, pose nude) 79-year old woman.

Of all places they meet at a funeral. At the first funeral Maude steals a priest’s car and at the second she steals Harold’s hearse and offers him a ride – both done with a smile on her face. Maude’s behavior is there to remind people material things in life are fleeting and it’s the memories which should be treasured. It’s wise not to get too attached to objects.

I think the film succeeds because Ashby and screenwriter Colin Higgins keep the relationship eccentric and not absurd or farce-like. Its originality allows it to avoid clichés and maudlin moments – things which plague many by-the-book romantic comedies. At first Harold and Maude’s relationship is grandmother-grandson. She plays the part of a kooky but kind old lady who enjoys company and offers Harold licorice, ginger pie and a drink:

                               MAUDE

               A little after-dinner liqueur,

               Harold? 

                               HAROLD

               Well, I really don't drink...

                               MAUDE

               Oh, it's all right. It's organic.                     

I like this scene (and it's Wilder-like irony) because it is a small indication of the enormous affect Maude has had on Harold. This is Harold treating her to dinner later in the film:

                               MAUDE

               Oh, Harold, it is dazzling.

               They are all so... so beautiful!

        Harold begins humming the Love Waltz.

                               HAROLD

               This way, m'lady.

        He dances Maude over to the table. 

                               HAROLD

               Supper for two.

                               MAUDE

               Oh, you've thought of everything.

               And champagne.

                               HAROLD

                       (imitating her)

               It's all right. It's organic.

                               MAUDE

               Oh, Harold.

                       (fluttery laugh)

                               HAROLD

               For you.

It’s innocent and friendly with an undercurrent of romance. I think if the romantic aspect of their relationship was more overt and sexual it would spoil the film because it would have become ridiculous. Instead, it’s two completely unique individuals bonding because each recognizes the exceptionalities in each other. Maude offers Harold what he lacks --enthusiasm, vitality and a passion for living. Harold makes Maude feel young again like a schoolgirl in love. It may sound cliché but they complete each other.

Essentially, the theme I came away with from Harold and Maude is that love has no boundaries. Some find it in the strangest of places and circumstances and with the most unlikely of people. It would be arrogant and judgmental to scorn a legal relationship which does not adhere to societal expectations. One of the film’s funniest moments is when a priest is lecturing Harold on the marital union of the young and old. I won’t give away the scene but it is usually hilarious when rigid conservatives discuss uncommon ideas.

All in all, Harold and Maude succeeds in its originality, charm and humor. It may be relegated to cult status because of its content but it is a classic which should not be missed by those who crave something novel and well-conceived. * * * *