MovieChat Forums > Harold and Maude (1971) Discussion > What exactly is the message behind this ...

What exactly is the message behind this movie?

posted 13 years ago by jdb922
14 replies | jump to latest

I can't help but think that I missed a message that this movie was trying to get across.

I just watched it for the first time last night. It was interesting and very well acted. I didn't find myself relating to the characters. Harold is in my age bracket, but we're totally different. I have a great relationship with my mom. Harold seemed to be a bit of a lost soul, which I think many people indentify with and which I probably would have indentified with better maybe 5-10 years ago. I feel like I have more of a direction and better understanding about life then I used to. I have faith, which Harold didn't seem to have. I'm more optimistic. I'm not tooting my horn or being goody goody here, just stating my differences.

Thankfully I have not lost any loved ones in my life... and I think that may be where alot of people relate to this movie. I see how Harold could develop a close friendship with Maude, but I don't see how it could lead to a physical relationship!

I've seen movies before that have really hit a nerve for me and that I connected with, but this is not one of them. It feels like an arty farty film that was made by a hippy.

[–] benntura 13 years ago

"If you want to sing out, sing out. If you want to be low, be low. There's a million ways to go. You know there are......" Cat Stevens

[–] jdb922 13 years ago

That's the gayest song I've ever heard in my life.

[–] benntura 13 years ago

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!

[–] moviebuffv1 13 years ago

That's why you probably cant relate to the film. The message for me is a quote by Maude. "The earth is my body, my head is in the stars." Although we are all destined for death and to be one with the earth, we all have hopes, dreams, and aspirations that should dominate our lives. If that's also too "gay" for you then I don't think you have a shot at understanding the film.

[–] novastar_6 13 years ago

The message I took from it is very simply, TO live life to the fullest, to always try new things, have new experiences, to spend your life finding out everything you can, everything you enjoy, everything you don't, don't rely on the secure feeling of just sticking with what you know, so you can say that you really lived.

[–] your_mofo 13 years ago

Someone who describes a song as 'gay' is never going to get what this film is about.
Stick to 'Die Hard'.

[–] jdb922 12 years ago

I wasn't real serious about the song being gay. That song is actually pretty catchy, and I find myself singing it quite a bit.

One cliche' of life I'm tired of is people acting like you're stupid just cause you didn't care for a movie that's suppose to be some cerebral, life changing piece of art. It's just not possible for EVERY person on the planet to like a movie... even with well regarded classics like The Godfather, there's gonna be some people out there that just don't care for it. I'm tired of people downgrading the action, comedy and horror generes. Die Hard happens to be one kick a$$, edge of your seat, action extravaganza. It's very impressive and well put together. Just cause you enjoy watching Rambo, Dumb & Dumber or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre that does NOT mean you're stupid or ignorant... and thinking such a thing is, well... stupid and ignorant. Quit priding yourself on your intelligence. You're just human like everyone else.

It's just that alot of drama and arty farty films tend to have a bit of a hollow feeling to me. I sit there after 2 hours watching the movie, and as the end credits role I think to myself, "You know... nothing much really happend there...". Don't get me wrong though, I like some movies like that. I think many people would feel the same about over looked hidden gems like About Schmidt or The Weather Man... but I enjoyed those movies.

Not all movies click with me right away. Some movies kinda grow on you... and Harold & Maude may be that kinda movie for me. It's not a bad movie by any means. I did find it to be somewhat interesting.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] osully67 12 years ago

Then why does she kill herself?

[–] novastar_6 12 years ago

Because she saw 80 as having lived long enough, 75 would be too young, 85 would be too old. Also, it wasn't hinted so much here but in the book Maude's mind was starting to go, she removed all the pictures from her frames because even looking at them she couldn't remember who the people in them were, so it makes it a little easier to understand when it's a matter of losing your mind.

[–] sketchfordawn 12 years ago

RE: "If the message is carpe diem, then why does she kill herself?"

Knowing when and how you are going to die is arguably more conducive to the end of living life to the fullest. Maude values life, but she has also made peace with death. She has lived life to the fullest and can now die happily.

[–] sketchfordawn 12 years ago

The basic message is to seize the day and to live life to the full. When we are young, we have all these notions about the futility of existence. It is not until we connect with someone who is actually facing death that we are humbled; we put our own existence into perspective and recognise its value.

It also shows how love affects our attitude to life and death. Harold was desensitised to death because he had no friends or loved ones that he could imagine dying. When he met Maude, that changed.

[–] franzkabuki 12 years ago

The message? F-ck The Authority. And the old lady.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] KhurramAtta 9 years ago

The message is to go *beep* yourself

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