In the Wake of life
Harold and Maude
Review by Ross Anthony

I am now reviewing this film many years after seeing it. However, I did see it several times and enjoyed it heartily. This oddly quirky comedy draws the viewer into Harold's dark dungeon life. Unwelcomed, Maude's bright flower face needles her way into that dungeon. Harold (a young man/perhaps older teen) is too passive to cast this odd senior citizen away. Anyway, she's a bit of a freak on her own and Harold has respect for that.

The comedy is not your standard variety -- probably this is one of the films that inspired the Cohen brothers. Certainly a little twisted, but with such a powerfully warm 70's sunflower heart, "Harold and Maude" endears. I think of it as the cinematic equivalent to "The Little Prince" (the book, not the film -- I haven't seen that film). These are works that are not only entertaining, but potentially outlook changing.

And as if that isn't enough, the film is sweetened with the songs of Cat Stevens. At the time of viewing, I was a big Stevens fan. If you don't know the name, here are few of his titles "It's Wild World" "Morning has Broken" "The First Cut is the Deepest" (I don't promise those songs are in the film). He's a very interesting artist in his own right. In retrospect I give this film an A.


  • Harold and Maude. Copyright © 1971. Rated PG. 1:31 mins.
  • Starring Bud Cort, Ruth Gordon.
  • Directed by Hal Ashby.
  • Screenplay by Colin Higgins.
  • Produced by Charles B. Mulvehill, Colin Higgins

Grade..........................A (3.5/4)

Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.

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Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 08:08:41 PDT