The film, Harold and Maude, explores many of the
darker, more somber aspects of American society during the 1970’s. The main character, Harold, is misunderstood
by everyone around him, until he meets 79 year old Maude who understands him.
She teaches Harold how to appreciate life and love others. Over the course of
this movie war and the detachment of American society are criticized and the
ideas of love and the meaning of life are explored.
War
is directly criticized through Harold’s uncle, Victor. Harold’s mother
explains, before we are introduced to him, that Uncle Victor was General
MacArthur’s “right hand man.” This is morbidly amusing because Victor only has
a right hand. He cares about nothing but the army. When he is trying to
convince Harold to enlist he begins telling him war stories and excitedly goes
along with Harold’s disturbing questions such as: Will they teach me to shoot?
Will I get to kill another man? Will they teach you how to slit his throat? His
uncle zealously answers all of these questions, until Harold crosses the line
by asking about “souvenirs.” Most people would have been horrified by Harold’s
excitement at the thought of killing people, the fact that his uncle is equally
excited is a criticism on the effect that war has on the way people view
violence. Victor is also a representation of the people who live for the army,
the people who give up their personalities and individual wills to serve the
army. The war is not the only thing wrong with American society. There is a
huge gap between societal groups during Vietnam: the lower classes, which are
drafted and forced to fight, and the upper-class, who are indifferent to the
war and everything else for that matter, since they can avoid military service
The upper class is criticized through Harold’s mother, who cares about nothing
but society and being in the midst of everything fashionable. Harold is
listless and when he realizes that the only way his mother will care about him
is if he dies, he decides that he would rather be dead. He is constantly faking
suicides and attending funerals for fun. He sees a psychiatrist routinely but
he never changes. In contrast Harold’s whole life is turned around in a matter
of days by Maude. Through this, I believe, that the filmmakers are criticizing
the upper-class for their unfulfilling and material lifestyle.
Harold and Maude also explores the ideas
of love and the meaning of life. At the beginning of the film, all Harold wants
is his mother’s attention. He stages one fake suicide after another, but she
simply dismisses him as childish and annoying. When friends are over she talks
about Harold incessantly, but she does so in a bragging way not a loving way.
In Maude, Harold finds a non-judgmental person who listens to and understands
him. She wants Harold to be happy, whether that means being fashionable or not.
By simply taking an interest in Harold, his likes, dislikes, and wellbeing she
shows that she cares. This affects Harold so profoundly because no one has ever
cared about him before. She teaches him what it is to love and be loved. Maude
also teaches Harold the meaning of life. Before meeting Maude, Harold seems to
have no desire to live, but her outgoing personality and flair for life teach
him to have fun and enjoy his life. Everything Maude does is due to her love of
life. She goes to funerals because she finds the life cycle interesting, she
loves plants because they exhibit the cycle of life and death perfectly, she
has fun and laughs and dances and makes music so she does not waste her life. Despite
all of the hardships she has been through, she pushes forward and makes the
best of a situation. When Maude dies it appears that Harold has lost his new
found will to live as his car goes plunging over the edge of a cliff. Yet the
camera cuts to the top of the cliff and we see Harold meander away with his
banjo, given to him by Maude, and the newfound will to live, love, and make the
best of his life. This final suicide and the act of leaving his car both
symbolize Harold finally leaving his past behind to make way for a newer,
happier life. Maude is such a loveable character who can endear herself to
anyone. By creating a character with which the audience can empathize and love
the film is more capable of conveying its meaningful messages about love and
life.
In
essence, Harold and Maude is a coming
of age story about a young man who learns to live and love in a country overrun
by involvement in war and a materialistic, unconcerned upper-class. While Harold and Maude is a comedy film and
messages are implied through the satiric representations of societal situations
and humorous portrayals of characters, this movie conveys messages through
means other than humor. By moving and shocking the audience it conveys
different sides of the issues presented. Such uses of pathos prove to be just
as rhetorically effective as comedy.
This was a very interesting movie. I did not pick up on what his mother says when she held meetings to find Harold a wife. That is a good point that even then she still does not pay attention to him. She was saying things to promote her interest and not his. Good catch. I might have to watch it again.
ReplyDeleteI think that Harold's mom does care about him, but she is blinded by a materialistic upbringing that often times can be present in families in similar conditions.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I think that your comment was very interesting and seem to cover in a very organized manner different important aspects of the film.