Harold & Maude

There are a million things to do. You know that there are. One of them is watching Susan's suggested movie for Greg: 1971's "Harold and Maude." Directed by Harold Ashby, the coming of age dark comedy features an unlikely friendship turned romance between 20-year-old Harold (Budd Cort), who is obsessed with death, and 79-year-old Maude (Ruth Gordon), who embraces life. (Warning: this film deals with themes of suicide.)

 

The couple discusses Harold's outlandish staged suicides in contrast to Maude's free-wheeling (if not criminal) approach to life. Greg talks about his aversion to Cat Stevens, who is exclusively featured in the soundtrack. And how the film derives its humor from bizarre and uncomfortable situations and subverting expectations as well as the message at the heart of the movie. Trivia about the movie is also discussed. 

 

Sources referenced in this episode:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/10/burt-cort-harold-and-maude-blessing-and-curse