Things I like about 'Harold and Maude'

I saw 'Harold and Maude' for the first time in 11th grade. I took a creative writing class in high school and every few weeks, to 'inspire us' (or because he was lazy...), my teacher showed us movies/tv shows. We watched SEVERAL episodes of 'Northern Exposure', 'Don't Throw Momma From The Train', some other things I can't remember, and 'Harold and Maude'.

Needless to say, as most of my classmates spent their time trying to figure out how they could get away with cursing in their stories (our teacher said it was ok to use 'BITCH' or 'ASS' or 'FUCK' if it contributed to our pieces' overall artistic value), I was one of the more mature students in the class.
Don't let my giggling/facebook grafitti pictures/this blog fool you. I am, kind of, mature.

Anyway, as mature was I was at 16, the whole point of 'Harold and Maude' was lost on me. I remember wondering why the hell Harold faked suicides...and why he was in love with an old lady. And, EW! Were they having sex? Why would he want to have sex with an old lady?



Well, 6 years later, after finishing college and working professionally for 6 months (I know 6 months isn't a long time but it FEELS like a long time to me! OK?! SHUTUP. Wait...didn't I just say that I was mature?), I rewatched 'Harold and Maude' on Sunday. And I really liked it. I think I got it this time. It's about love. And about two people understanding each other-regardless of their back grounds or gender or age.

I really like 'Harold and Maude'.

Things I like about 'Harold and Maude'

1) The two main characters are named Harold and Maude. What fun names! I don't think I've ever met anyone named Maude...so special and unique! My middle name is Estelle, so I identify with people whose names are out of the ordinary. I like movies with characters that I identify with. So, I like 'Harold and Maude'.


2) The soundtrack is really great. I never really listened to Cat Stevens before...but now I sure do! (No, I really do! Like...on the subway in the mornings. And when I'm putzing around my room...and stuff.) His songs are so upbeat and catchy...and the lyrics are really sweet. I'm a sucker for lyrics :)

So if you want to be high be high. And if you want to be low be low...doo doo deee dooooo

3) Maude's Jewish. At least...I think she is. She has a numbered tattoo on her arm, and is from Austira...leading a viewer (me) to believe that she was in a concentration camp at one time. And most people in concentration camps were Jews. I guess she could be a Gypsy or of Christian descent. She could also be a lesbian...but then the whole 'relationship with Harold'. Moving on, Maude's really optimistic and insightful. She teaches Harold to love and be happy with himself-how nice! So, if Maude really DID go to a concentration camp, and IS Jewish, and had to come to the US from Austria after fleeing persecution and is still able to be optimistic...that's great! YAY for the Jews and for Maude! Or, YAY for the Jews including Maude (since she is one)!

4) Harold. Harold's really funny...an indirect way. Like, he drives a Hearse. That's funny! Who does that? And, he's really creative. Planning all those fake suicides, decorating for Maude's birthday. I appreciate creativity/decorating ability in people, so KUDOS to Harold! You're tops!

5) The message. I think the message in 'Harold and Maude' is something like this:
It's possible to love, anyone, anywhere, at any time. And it's a great thing to share with people and learn how to love them and be loved in return. Don't they say something like that in 'Aladdin'? or 'Beauty and the Beast'?

Or, maybe this quote says it better:
"But I love you, Maude!"
"Oh Harold, that's great! Now go out and love some more!"

I really like this idea. I spend some of my time missing people and feeling sad that all my friends and family can't always be with me. BUT, MAYBE, I shouldn't be sad at all! And instead, I should be happy that I have so many people I care about and so many people I love. I should be happy that I have people to miss. And instead of feeling sorry for myself I should be grateful! Or something like that.

Thanks 'Harold and Maude' for putting everything in perspective for me!