Review – Harold and Maude

This is one of those rarest-of-rare movies, a picture that manages to strike an effective balance between elements. By herself the nearly-octogenarian free spirit (Ruth Gordon) would be too precious, and by himself the pale young man (Bud Cort) who stages fake suicides would be too mopey. But together they turn out clever and quirky. Sure, it’s a little cutesy in parts, and I don’t find the whole car-stealing thing as funny as I used to. But for the most part the humor is excellent, the script and acting top notch. Even the Cat Stevens soundtrack is good. The result is hard to describe. It isn’t especially “inspirational” or “thought-provoking.” However, for something with such a sad ending it certainly leaves a warm feeling in its wake. Worth seeing