MovieChat Forums > Harold and Maude (1971) Discussion > People who LOVE this movie creep me out

People who LOVE this movie creep me out

posted 12 years ago by GuyOnTheLeft
27 replies | jump to latest

If you just like this movie, or even really like it, I'm not talking about you. I'm talking about people who rate this as their favourite movie, and are borderline obsessed with it. I could be wrong, but I don't think the filmmakers intended people to completely relate with either of these characters. I think they were supposed to be bizarre, larger-than-life characters that the audience is intended to be shocked by, and amused by. But I get the impression that some people really relate to them; and I am sorry but that is just weird.

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[–] Dare_Daniel 11 years ago

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTDepEHt5qN09Esr1 J9jeUI1Adi-h7MLhzBV9czxd56CgHwaZgr

Top 25 Favourite films http://www.imdb.com/list/t9JHDeBhWKQ/

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 11 years ago

Heh.

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See a list of my favourite films here: http://www.flickchart.com/slackerinc

[–] tmaj48 11 years ago

I loooove this movie. You wanna see a movie that's weird and bizarre, go watch
Love Story.

I'm not crying, you fool, I'm laughing!

Hewwo.

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 11 years ago

Wasn't that based on Al Gore or something?

And do you relate with the characters in H&M?

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See a list of my favourite films here: http://www.flickchart.com/slackerinc

[–] tmaj48 11 years ago

I don't know how much I relate to them, but I do think the title characters
make up one of the most original romantic couples in any film. Their relationship is not depicted in a sick way, but in a very sweet, innocent
one. Harold's obsession with suicide and funerals sounds somewhat deviant at
first, but when he explains what made him this way to Maude (the story of the
accidental explosion), he becomes a heartbreaking figure. Maude appears at first
to be one of those loony hippie types that pervaded a lot of films and TV shows of that era, but she's had a very tragic past, too (which the film reveals
without ever becoming maudlin). With the sad turn of events at the end, the
movie still fades out on an upbeat, life-affirming note.

If Al Gore still wants to be associated with that O'/Neal/MacGraw drivel, he
is welcome to it.

I'm not crying, you fool, I'm laughing!

Hewwo.

[–] rochelle-rochelle 11 years ago

LOL on the Love Story comment. My favorite part I love of Love Story is when they just sit down on the sofa and there is a beat of awkward silence and awkward exchange of looks and then two seconds later Ryan says, "Well, we gotta go."

The whole "I love you means never having to say you're sorry" is the lamest line in history.

"George is dead. Call me back."
RING. Hello?
"Hi. It's George."

[–] sdckapr 11 years ago

The whole "I love you means never having to say you're sorry" is the lamest line in history.

In the film Love Story the line was "love means never having to say you're sorry". And it may be lame, but in 2005 it was voted #13 in the American Film Institute's list of top 100 movie quotes http://www.afi.com/100years/quotes.aspx

[Aside: In the movie What's Up, Doc after Barbara Streisand's character says that line, Ryan O'Neal's character says: "That is the dumbest thing I ever heard."]

[–] rochelle-rochelle 11 years ago

Bond. James Bond. and I'll have what she's having should have been higher on the list, and Rosebud should have been lower on the list.

"George is dead. Call me back."
RING. Hello?
"Hi. It's George."

[–] commanderjeltz 11 years ago

Maybe it was voted a top movie quote because a. Love Story was huge hit and b. it is a peculiar remark, one of those lines which appear to mean something, but the more you examine it, it doesn't make any sense. So it's popular in an ironic way.

[–] OhNooos 10 years ago

I agree. I thought it caught on because it was novel and something people were not used to hearing. I think they liked the idea of not apologizing for anything.
There is that element of forgiveness of anything and unconditional love in that line, but there's also egotism and opening up oneself to becoming a doormat. It's not great advice, in my opinion, and I prefer to look at it as the personal philosophy of a character in a story and not as an idea that needs to be embraced by anyone else.

[–] Theotisnixon 11 years ago

IF U THINK THAT LINE IS LAME.....you've never really been in love............cause it's EXACTLY right.

[–] OhNooos 10 years ago

Yeah, Love Story was really creepy!

[–] Green_Lump 11 years ago

I love this movie because it is bizarre, it is my favorite escape. It's a lovely movie. Not because I relate to the characters but because I understand them, and I understand the story. Who can't relate to finding love in what makes you happy?

- Waffa

[–] Elzna 11 years ago

I think it's an awesome story, and while I'm not "obsessed", it is one of my top favorites, and I CAN relate to these characters.

I want a Harold when I'm 80... only I won't be committing suicide for no reason, that's just uncalled for.

[–] sabalon1 11 years ago

part of me would love to see bud cort do a 'maude and harold' sequel of sorts. he now playing the role of the wizened vet, crossing paths with a younger maude type. sort of in the vein of 2006 Venus with Peter O'Toole

if you've never seen an elephant ski, then you've never been on acid.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] GuyOnTheLeft 11 years ago

LOL, at least you admit it. :)

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See a list of my favourite films here: http://www.flickchart.com/slackerinc

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] GuyOnTheLeft 11 years ago

Kum ba ya!

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See a list of my favourite films here: http://www.flickchart.com/slackerinc

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 11 years ago

Kum ba ya!

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See a list of my favourite films here: http://www.flickchart.com/slackerinc

[–] Errington_92 11 years ago

You're not exactly meant to relate to Harold and Maude, but to at least understand their viewpoints. They were outsiders observing a society which in their minds was too authoritarian, uncaring and restricted. Maude's outlook on life was a refreshing alternative from such a society, which made Harold (and audiences) reconsider. That is an aspect of Harold and Maude I find powerful.

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] zacies_hot 11 years ago

I am downright obsessed with Harold and Maude but I'm one extremly bizarre screwed up girl so it's right up my alley.

[–] sabalon1 11 years ago

perhaps you are the 'normal one', and the original OP is the 'extremely bizarre screwed up' one lol

i found this movie before i knew what 'love' truly was, and fell in love with it's potential. after all these years, when my 'maude' made her own decision i still love this film, even though what it reminds me of. and even today, two decades later i still pop it in around valentines to remind me that love is what you make of it, where you happen to find it, and if you're lucky enough to enjoy it ever so briefly.

as long as you don't go all kathy bates in Misery and tie up some poor 'harold' in your basement, you'll be just fine my dear lol

if you've never seen an elephant ski, then you've never been on acid.

[–] OhNooos 10 years ago

I saw this movie at an impressionable age. I loved Maude's free spirit and related to her openness. Because of her, I was never afraid to collect or try out new instruments, even if I never learned to play them. I questioned authority and the status quo. I loved her joie de vivre and willingness to take whatever risks were necessary for the welfare of a tree. She spoke for my generation - the tree hugging hippie generation.

Years later, I had a child. I waited until he was almost 18 to share my favorite movie with him. Then I saw Maude differently. There is so much I still love about her spirit, but I don't agree with everything she did. Instead of seeing her as a role model, I see her as a human being who had some admirable qualities and some questionable morals. Ha ha! I still love her!

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 10 years ago

Interesting how age and parenthood changes our perspective. I noticed this not long ago when watching Trainspotting again. The first time (before becoming a father), I don't think I even took all that much notice of the scene in which they discover the baby has died; the second time I found it extremely painful to watch.

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See a list of my favourite films here: http://www.flickchart.com/slackerinc