I Heart Harold

Considering that it is Valentine's Day, I've decided to take some time out to watch one of my favorite romantic comedies ever, Harold and Maude. My sister introduced me to the movie, and thought at once that I would fall in love with the main character, Harold. She was right! I can't ever seem to watch it now without wanting to find my own Harold, and without wondering if I must therefore have some major psychological issues myself.

So, some quick background before I give you links to some great movie clips (I couldn't embed them for some reason). Harold has been obsessed with death ever since seeing his mother faint at the thought that he had died. Now he is performing numerous bogus suicides, somehow hoping to get that same kind of attention and emotional response. His mother evenutally gets worried about it, but what's even more distressing to her seems to be the fact that he is not dating. So, if you've ever been set up or constantly nagged by your mom about dating, you'll love this one.

Some of my favorite scenes in the movie depict Harold's morbid humor and boldness when it comes to defying convention. This first one shows what happens on all three dates that he was given through the dating service. The second one where he feigns a polite smile and than hacks off his hand with a cleaver is my favorite. The third date is pretty hilarious too, but mostly because his date doesn't turn out to be horrified that he just stabbed himself in the gut. She actually praises his acting abilities, and then she stabs herself after going off on how wonderful she was playing Juliet recently. And believe it or not, I think she comes off crazier than he does. This one also shows a bunch of Harold's suicides.

Not only is Harold serious about getting out of blind dates, but he also goes to great lengths to get out of serving in the army. With the help of Maude of course :)

This is a nice fan-made trailer to give you the entire feel for the movie I think. Harold and Maude really has a lot of variety, and it incorporates humor with a very brilliant and dramatic symbolic represention of independence and living a full life. Now I'm gonna go make myself a delicious caesar salad and watch it :)