I love "Harold and Maude"
Dec. 1st, 2004 10:22 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
javacatHal Ashby is a genius and Harold and Maude might just be the most perfect movie *ever.* I love it so much. Every frame is perfect. Ruth Gordon and Vivian Pickles and Bud Cort are SO good. And the music - those songs! They were new then, and Cat Stevens' lyrics are perfect.
I think this movie embodies the best of the 60's spirit. I don't have the time or the chops to eloquently say why, but each scene is progessive in some small, human, wonderful way. I was a teen when this came out. Nixon left office and the Vietnam war ended 2 years later. Its values are the best of the times... the civil rights movement, the summer of love, the anti-war movement, the return-to-the-earth/organic movement, the rise of feminism. It was progressive without being strident; gentle but strong; and wonderfully, offbeat, warmly funny. I can't think of a more gentle and loving film offhand except maybe It's a Wonderful Life. It was hugely influential on me and I know I wasn't alone.
Stupid Bravo, started a little late and so I missed the last minute or two. Grumble. Also, commercials, even with triple-fast-forward on Tivo, are annoying. I think they cut out parts, too. I think there was more with Glaucus. (Is Cyril Cusack the father of John and Joan? Oh, and is that Tom Skerrit as the motorcyle cop?! IMDB confirms)
If you have never seen this movie, make an effort to see it someday. It's worth it. And don't let anyone tell you all about the plot or describe scenes, or read alot about it. IMHO it's one of those that it's best to just go see and let happen. (I'm deleting the IMDB link because I hate their synopsis. Don't read it.)
I think this movie embodies the best of the 60's spirit. I don't have the time or the chops to eloquently say why, but each scene is progessive in some small, human, wonderful way. I was a teen when this came out. Nixon left office and the Vietnam war ended 2 years later. Its values are the best of the times... the civil rights movement, the summer of love, the anti-war movement, the return-to-the-earth/organic movement, the rise of feminism. It was progressive without being strident; gentle but strong; and wonderfully, offbeat, warmly funny. I can't think of a more gentle and loving film offhand except maybe It's a Wonderful Life. It was hugely influential on me and I know I wasn't alone.
Stupid Bravo, started a little late and so I missed the last minute or two. Grumble. Also, commercials, even with triple-fast-forward on Tivo, are annoying. I think they cut out parts, too. I think there was more with Glaucus. (Is Cyril Cusack the father of John and Joan? Oh, and is that Tom Skerrit as the motorcyle cop?! IMDB confirms)
If you have never seen this movie, make an effort to see it someday. It's worth it. And don't let anyone tell you all about the plot or describe scenes, or read alot about it. IMHO it's one of those that it's best to just go see and let happen. (I'm deleting the IMDB link because I hate their synopsis. Don't read it.)