Just the fact that you chose to react to this film earned my subscription. It's so underappreciated, and your comments on the shot composition throughout are right on. Did you happen to notice that Harold and his psychiatrist dress the same?
"You get it!" is almost exactly what I said out loud upon seeing that Shandor was indeed getting it. It takes a rare sensibility to appreciate what's going on in this multilayered, beautiful, painful, joyful, exquisite work of art.
I knew you would love this movie. It was directed by Hal Ashby, one of my favorite directors. You should also check out another of his films, Being There, starring Peter Sellers.
The film is also about war. 1971 was one of the peak years for US involvement in Vietnam, and the year it was revealed that the US had also invaded Laos. Protests against the war were escalating and in 1971, the Vietnam Vets Against the War became a strong political movement. The self-immolation which Harold appears to stage for the potential girlfriend is a reminder of what Buddhist monks were doing across Asia in protest of war. Maude would have been about Harold’s age for WW1 and would have known about the women’s protests for voting rights in those years - her black outfit when they stage her fall into the water is similar to what some of those women wore. Since we learn that she is a Holocaust survivor, she must have been living in Europe in the 1930’s-1940’s and would have known immense suffering in those times. War accepts killing, death, disfigurement, destruction, etc as part of the necessary process, but when those same actions take place outside of war, (such as Harold’s staged deaths) they can be seen as brutally painful losses with less rationale. At the end Harold is finally faced with the consequences of actual suicide and realizes the pain involved. By discarding his “hearse-car”, he leaves the obsession with death behind and moves forward into hope and life, represented by the wide open fields of plants, sky, an unlimited horizon with mountains to cross but recognizing the beauty all around him.
i'm impressed that you laughed at the right places. most people are so shocked they miss most of the jokes. this is one of my favorite films. 3 other dark comedies you should check out are "lord love a duck" (1966), "network" (1976) and "heathers" (1989). all three are very funny, very unique and thought provoking. thanks for the video.
Great film. Thanks for this reaction. Did you know that there are only two anti-war films made during the US-Vietnam war by Hollywood studios? "M*A*S*H" (1970) was set in Korea, but everyone knew it was about the Vietnam war. And the other is "Harold and Maude" (1971). Also, two of the actors were in both films - Bud Cort and Tom Skerritt. The only other anti-war film made by Hollywood studios is "Johnny Got His Gun" (1971), which was about WWI (made during Vietnam War), co-starring Donald Sutherland (who was also in "M*A*S*H").
I love this film! I remember when a friend and I first saw it; we were teenagers at the time. When we saw Harold step off that stool and hang himself, we both burst into disbelieving laughter, which soon transformed into pure delight. While it was the crescendo of death tableaux that had us laughing until we cried, we were also keenly aware of how beautiful the story was, and that one, brief shot of the tattoo on Maude's arm hit us hard. This movie is a treasure.
Awesome film! I think its querkiness was one of the things about the movie that appealed to me and some of my ftiends. Sometimes in those years between leaving adolescence and arriving in 'adulthoid' we all feel a little querky. I did. Not necessarily the same type of relationship thst Harold and Maude had, but it says basically to live your own life, not what others want you to be. In one wsy or another, Maude was always preaching to Harold about living life to the fullest, in the most positive ways. We can only imagine what she suffered, as a Holocaust Surviver. And yet, still making the most of her life that she could. Another reason I love this movie is the music. I was already a big Cat Steven fan and it just added so much to the story. Such a good screenplay,well. So well directed. Wonderful cinematography.
This is just such a jewel of a film.🥹 It’s rare to see people react to it. Thanks for sharing your own m/health experience. Ruth Gordon, thank you. RIP ♥️
A reminder that men in their 70’s, 80’s and more marry or date young women, some as young as in their 20’s all the time. Al Pacino had a child at age 83, Robert De Niro at age 80, with women many decades younger than themselves. The tradition of much older men, (white-haired, perhaps bald, wrinkled, and showing the same effects of age which women are condemned for having,) with much younger women is an accepted age-old and global phenomenon. But for some reason, when the reverse is considered, society shudders and condemns it as distasteful. This film was controversial for many reasons, and the filmmakers wanted to boldly portray their points of view on all those themes, and the social hypocrisy about inter-generational relationships was one of those themes.
Great reaction. I love this movie. When I was 16 I couldn't cope with the idea of Harold and Maude having sex, even though I knew it put me on the side of the old squares who disapproved. Older and wiser now, and as you say - no judgement.
If you're going down the Hal Ashby road - and it's a very good road - you absolutely have to do a reaction to "Being There." It's in my all time top 5, and it's Peter Sellers best performance. You'll love it.
I'm so gratified you reviewed this one. It was definitely ahead of its time. Beautiful writing, excellent cast. Vivian Pickles was wonderful as the dreadful mother. She would also play Mary Queen of Scots and Lenin's wife Krupskaya, in some other very good movies and tv mini-series. You need a certain amount of sensitivity and depth to really appreciate this movie. You indeed have these qualities, as well as knowledge of some historical context, so good on you. Since you like Woody Allen movies, you should at least watch his satire of dystopian fantasy movies, 'Sleeper', (1973), with Diane Keaton. I can't believe you wouldn't enjoy it.
As soon as I saw Shandor's reaction to the opening credits, I knew he was going to love this. (So do I). A suggestion: If you like this movie, I suggest seeking out any/every Hal Ashby movie from the 1970s ... they're all worth watching.
Great movie with one of the best ever soundtracks by Cat Stevens! Try WHAT’S UP DOC?! for pure fun. Ryan O’Neal n Barbra Streisand have perfect chemistry!!
This movie is so quirky on its surface, and probably too weird for many! I first heard of the film as a midnight movie when I started to go see Rocky Horror in the late 70s. It was screened at a local multiplex, along with Quadrophenia, Phantom of the Paradise and Rocky Horror for years. I knew of Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort and the general plot (they showed the trailer before Rocky Horror each time) and location but that was it. Became a “thing” that I’d never seen it so I finally saw it around 2017. I had no idea (or recall) that it was shot in the Bay Area, where I was born and still live, so I became instantly sentimental and appreciative! What a wonderful, darkly funny, meaningful message on life, love and death. Everyone in the cast is spot-on fantastic; Hal Ashby started as a film editor of such classics as In the Heat of the Night and The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming. As a director, other works of note include Shampoo, Coming Home, Bound for Glory and Being There. Harold and Maude is visually stunning, beautifully paced, and the Cat Stevens soundtrack is gorgeous and special. Thank you for reacting to this special gem! I recommend looking up Ruth Gordon - fascinating career - she was also a successful screenwriter with her husband, Garson Kanin.
Great commentary about one of my all-time favorite movies, You might also want to check out "Brewster McCloud" also with Bud Cort but directed by Robert Altman. Somewhat different mood, but also very much a movie of the same time period.
Shandor, if you have time check out the TCM short doc/interview about Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s (film makers 50s-70s/The Archers) with Thelma Schoonmaker (Scorsese's long-time film editor). Just posted on youtube. Fascinating, and I think you'll want to view some of their films!
I keep recommending this film to other reactors without success. I suppose they feel it isn’t popular enough to generate a lot of views. It’s their loss.
Classic! One of my favorite 70's movies! Great reaction!
Just the fact that you chose to react to this film earned my subscription. It's so underappreciated, and your comments on the shot composition throughout are right on.
Did you happen to notice that Harold and his psychiatrist dress the same?
Ill never forget the scene with the priest! 😇Underrated movie!
Oh my! I adore this film!
It's so great to see this on RUclips! The ending scene fooled me the first time watching this and, in today's lingo, it broke me.
Bonnie and Clyde, 1967... a classic.. would love to see your reaction
You get it!!
"You get it!" is almost exactly what I said out loud upon seeing that Shandor was indeed getting it. It takes a rare sensibility to appreciate what's going on in this multilayered, beautiful, painful, joyful, exquisite work of art.
I absolutely love this film. It contains such timeless truth. And yes, the music is amazing 👏 Thank you for this reaction ❤️
I knew you would love this movie. It was directed by Hal Ashby, one of my favorite directors. You should also check out another of his films, Being There, starring Peter Sellers.
20:20 That's Grandpa Walton's (Will Geer's) daughter.
Saw it in the theater when it came out.
Have seen it dozens of times in my life, and even have it on DVD.
The film is also about war. 1971 was one of the peak years for US involvement in Vietnam, and the year it was revealed that the US had also invaded Laos. Protests against the war were escalating and in 1971, the Vietnam Vets Against the War became a strong political movement. The self-immolation which Harold appears to stage for the potential girlfriend is a reminder of what Buddhist monks were doing across Asia in protest of war. Maude would have been about Harold’s age for WW1 and would have known about the women’s protests for voting rights in those years - her black outfit when they stage her fall into the water is similar to what some of those women wore. Since we learn that she is a Holocaust survivor, she must have been living in Europe in the 1930’s-1940’s and would have known immense suffering in those times. War accepts killing, death, disfigurement, destruction, etc as part of the necessary process, but when those same actions take place outside of war, (such as Harold’s staged deaths) they can be seen as brutally painful losses with less rationale. At the end Harold is finally faced with the consequences of actual suicide and realizes the pain involved. By discarding his “hearse-car”, he leaves the obsession with death behind and moves forward into hope and life, represented by the wide open fields of plants, sky, an unlimited horizon with mountains to cross but recognizing the beauty all around him.
i'm impressed that you laughed at the right places. most people are so shocked they miss most of the jokes. this is one of my favorite films. 3 other dark comedies you should check out are "lord love a duck" (1966), "network" (1976) and "heathers" (1989). all three are very funny, very unique and thought provoking. thanks for the video.
Great film. Thanks for this reaction. Did you know that there are only two anti-war films made during the US-Vietnam war by Hollywood studios? "M*A*S*H" (1970) was set in Korea, but everyone knew it was about the Vietnam war. And the other is "Harold and Maude" (1971). Also, two of the actors were in both films - Bud Cort and Tom Skerritt. The only other anti-war film made by Hollywood studios is "Johnny Got His Gun" (1971), which was about WWI (made during Vietnam War), co-starring Donald Sutherland (who was also in "M*A*S*H").
I love this film! I remember when a friend and I first saw it; we were teenagers at the time. When we saw Harold step off that stool and hang himself, we both burst into disbelieving laughter, which soon transformed into pure delight. While it was the crescendo of death tableaux that had us laughing until we cried, we were also keenly aware of how beautiful the story was, and that one, brief shot of the tattoo on Maude's arm hit us hard.
This movie is a treasure.
So many layers.
This movie is sooooo underrated. Good choice.
A great reaction to a great movie.
John Alonzo was one of the all-time greats!
This movie has always been on my all time top ten list.
Same
Now you have to see Being There also.
Awesome film! I think its querkiness was one of the things about the movie that appealed to me and some of my ftiends. Sometimes in those years between leaving adolescence and arriving in 'adulthoid' we all feel a little querky. I did.
Not necessarily the same type of relationship thst Harold and Maude had, but it says basically to live your own life, not what others want you to be. In one wsy or another, Maude was always preaching to Harold about living life to the fullest, in the most positive ways. We can only imagine what she suffered, as a Holocaust Surviver. And yet, still making the most of her life that she could.
Another reason I love this movie is the music. I was already a big Cat Steven fan and it just added so much to the story. Such a good screenplay,well. So well directed. Wonderful cinematography.
This is just such a jewel of a film.🥹 It’s rare to see people react to it. Thanks for sharing your own m/health experience. Ruth Gordon, thank you. RIP ♥️
A reminder that men in their 70’s, 80’s and more marry or date young women, some as young as in their 20’s all the time. Al Pacino had a child at age 83, Robert De Niro at age 80, with women many decades younger than themselves. The tradition of much older men, (white-haired, perhaps bald, wrinkled, and showing the same effects of age which women are condemned for having,) with much younger women is an accepted age-old and global phenomenon. But for some reason, when the reverse is considered, society shudders and condemns it as distasteful. This film was controversial for many reasons, and the filmmakers wanted to boldly portray their points of view on all those themes, and the social hypocrisy about inter-generational relationships was one of those themes.
Great reaction. I love this movie. When I was 16 I couldn't cope with the idea of Harold and Maude having sex, even though I knew it put me on the side of the old squares who disapproved. Older and wiser now, and as you say - no judgement.
Some other wonderful quirky sleepers directed by Hal Ashby:
"Being there" (1979)
"The Last Detail" (1973)
If you're going down the Hal Ashby road - and it's a very good road - you absolutely have to do a reaction to "Being There." It's in my all time top 5, and it's Peter Sellers best performance. You'll love it.
I'm so gratified you reviewed this one. It was definitely ahead of its time. Beautiful writing, excellent cast. Vivian Pickles was wonderful as the dreadful mother. She would also play Mary Queen of Scots and Lenin's wife Krupskaya, in some other very good movies and tv mini-series. You need a certain amount of sensitivity and depth to really appreciate this movie. You indeed have these qualities, as well as knowledge of some historical context, so good on you. Since you like Woody Allen movies, you should at least watch his satire of dystopian fantasy movies, 'Sleeper', (1973), with Diane Keaton. I can't believe you wouldn't enjoy it.
As soon as I saw Shandor's reaction to the opening credits, I knew he was going to love this. (So do I). A suggestion: If you like this movie, I suggest seeking out any/every Hal Ashby movie from the 1970s ... they're all worth watching.
Great movie with one of the best ever soundtracks by Cat Stevens!
Try WHAT’S UP DOC?! for pure fun. Ryan O’Neal n Barbra Streisand have perfect chemistry!!
3:25 Right hand man. 😂
13:29 I’ve watched this movie dozens of times and never caught that detail. Well done! Great reaction 😊
Of course, director Hal Ashby did famously say, “Make your film so [goshdarned] good that you see something in it all the time.” 😅
This movie is so quirky on its surface, and probably too weird for many! I first heard of the film as a midnight movie when I started to go see Rocky Horror in the late 70s. It was screened at a local multiplex, along with Quadrophenia, Phantom of the Paradise and Rocky Horror for years. I knew of Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort and the general plot (they showed the trailer before Rocky Horror each time) and location but that was it. Became a “thing” that I’d never seen it so I finally saw it around 2017. I had no idea (or recall) that it was shot in the Bay Area, where I was born and still live, so I became instantly sentimental and appreciative!
What a wonderful, darkly funny, meaningful message on life, love and death. Everyone in the cast is spot-on fantastic; Hal Ashby started as a film editor of such classics as In the Heat of the Night and The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming. As a director, other works of note include Shampoo, Coming Home, Bound for Glory and Being There.
Harold and Maude is visually stunning, beautifully paced, and the Cat Stevens soundtrack is gorgeous and special.
Thank you for reacting to this special gem! I recommend looking up Ruth Gordon - fascinating career - she was also a successful screenwriter with her husband, Garson Kanin.
15:40 I think this movie, and in particular this scene, was one of the inspirations for The Breakfast Club.
Great commentary about one of my all-time favorite movies, You might also want to check out "Brewster McCloud" also with Bud Cort but directed by Robert Altman. Somewhat different mood, but also very much a movie of the same time period.
21:57 Yes.
Shandor, if you have time check out the TCM short doc/interview about Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s (film makers 50s-70s/The Archers) with Thelma Schoonmaker (Scorsese's long-time film editor). Just posted on youtube. Fascinating, and I think you'll want to view some of their films!
So weird to listen to my name on a movie
More people need to be exposed to this film.
I keep recommending this film to other reactors without success. I suppose they feel it isn’t popular enough to generate a lot of views. It’s their loss.
Same
Please watch a gem of a movie called, "Waking Ned Divine."