Harold and Maude

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Harold and Maude

PG

1971

1h 31m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

49 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Cult classic pairs Cort as a dead-pan disillusioned 20-year-old obsessed with suicide and a lovable Gordon as a fun-loving 80-year-old eccentric. They meet at a funeral, and develop a taboo romantic relationship, in which they explore the tired theme of the meaning of life with a fresh perspective.

Critics Consensus

Hal Ashby's comedy is too dark and twisted for some, and occasionally oversteps its bounds, but there's no denying the film's warm humor and big heart.

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Richard McGuinness

Village Voice

01/18/2013

The fact that [it] isn't very funny and, like its 80-year-old heroic, long outlives its necessary life, is less important than the fact that the characters frequently react gently or like credible human beings to the script's impossible notions.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

10/24/2007

Simpleminded, but it's fairly inoffensive, at least until Ashby lingers over the concentration-camp serial number tattooed on Gordon's arm. Some things are beyond the reach of whimsy.

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Derek Adams

Time Out

06/24/2006

It is most successful when it keeps to the tone of an insane fairystory set up at the beginning of the movie.

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Rosalyn Drexler

Vogue

03/08/2024

3/4

The picture is anti-war, anti-repression, and full of fun; a charming hour and a half of black humor.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

02/14/2022

4/4

Its strength resides in a philosophy of self-exploration through personal fulfillment, bodily acceptance and exploration, artistic creation, and spontaneity.

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Stephen Silver

Tilt Magazine

12/31/2021

5/5

Exemplifies the expression "it shouldn't have worked, but it did" more than any movie I can think of, is a romantic comedy, and also a very dark comedy (50th anniversary)

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Meghan

Feb 24

Favorite movie of all time

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Ana F.

@RT95078477 3d

Weird and wonderful; you either "get it " or you don't. I first saw it in the movie theater as a naive teenager, and I loved it. The soundtrack is unmatched. ❤️

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Patrick C

@RT84374237 May 22

Having watched this wonderful film for the first time, I would argue that its very creation was an affirmation of life as espoused by Maude in the film. Whether Maude is entirely believable as a character is beside the point - the fact that she exists onscreen is a celebration in itself, her effect on Harold a joy to behold. Suspend one's disbelief and all good things come from this life-affirming gem.

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Jens B

@Jens97 Apr 5

At first glance macabre, but beneath the surface profoundly life-affirming, human, funny, and sad. Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort give their all, Hal Ashby directs with restraint (with some truly excellent shots), and Cat Stevens' music completes the picture. A beautiful film, perfect for the start of spring.

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Jea S

@RT26204834 Feb 15

After reading some reviews, apparently it isn't for everyone, but it's my favorite movie. You can't deny that the music is perfection. The two leads are phenomenal the message (to me) is beautiful AND on top of that it made me laugh out loud. It's the only movie I've seen repeatedly. Promise you won't compare it to anything else you've ever seen.

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Joel H

@786Joel Jan 6

What can be said about Harold and Maude? It’s definitely a unique movie. And it’s funnier than I thought it was going to be. Harold’s violent actions, and his mother’s reactions to them, are the most entertaining part of the film. But I don’t think they gave his character enough reason to hate his life. And then there’s the Manic Pixie Dream Grandma named Maude. She’s a free-wheeling, fun-loving, care-free woman who lives on the opposite side of the same coin as Harold, but I didn’t find her character to be endearing. In fact, I kind of found her to be annoying. Harold and Made is amusing, not amazing.

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Hal Ashby

Director

Bud Cort

Harold Chasen

Ruth Gordon

Maude

Cyril Cusack

Glaucus

Vivian Pickles

Mrs. Chasen

Charles Tyner

Uncle Victor

Harold and Maude: Official Clip - Dating Questionnaire

2:13

Harold and Maude: Official Clip - Maude's 80th Birthday

2:07

Harold and Maude: Official Clip - It's Rather Hard to Find a Truck

2:12

Harold and Maude: Official Clip - He Seems Very Nice

2:01

Harold and Maude: Official Clip - Harold Meets Maude

2:13

Harold and Maude: Official Clip - Can I Give You a Lift?

1:44

Harold and Maude: Official Clip - The Last Date

2:13

Harold and Maude: Official Clip - Backing Away From Life

2:13

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Synopsis

Cult classic pairs Cort as a dead-pan disillusioned 20-year-old obsessed with suicide and a lovable Gordon as a fun-loving 80-year-old eccentric. They meet at a funeral, and develop a taboo romantic relationship, in which they explore the tired theme of the meaning of life with a fresh perspective.

Director: Hal Ashby
Producer: Colin Higgins, Charles Mulvehill
Screenwriter: Colin Higgins
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Mildred Lewis and Colin Higgins Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1971, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 31m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)