Released in 1971, Harold and Maude remains a cult classic, celebrated for its unusual blend of dark comedy and uplifting sentiment. The film follows Harold, a wealthy young man obsessed with staging fake suicides, and Maude, a sprightly septuagenarian with a taste for mischief. Their unlikely friendship forms the heart of a story that has become a beloved comfort watch for many.
Harold's macabre theatrics are met with indifference by his glacial upper-class mother, who reminds him of her dinner party even as he plays dead. His life gains purpose when he meets Maude at a funeral, where she sits on a coffin eating an orange. Together they embark on a series of impish adventures, from picnicking at a demolition site to replanting a stolen tree and clashing with police.
One of the film's most memorable moments comes as the pair walk through fields of flowers. Maude asks Harold what flower he would like to be, and he chooses daisies because they look alike. She gently corrects him, noting their visible differences and suggesting that much of the world's sorrow stems from people allowing themselves to be treated as part of a homogenised group.
The film also offers exquisite cinematography, pitch-black comedy, and striking costumes, with Harold's flared trousers and double-breasted coats evoking a distinctive fashion sense. The soundtrack, composed by Cat Stevens, includes the original song If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out, which many fans describe as sounding like sunshine.
For those who discover it, Harold and Maude provides a tangible sense of joy, proving that even a story centred on death can find light in the dark. Its message of individuality and connection continues to resonate, making it a timeless feelgood film.
