On this day (Dec. 20th), over a half century ago (1971), one of my all-time favorite movies was released: "Harold and Maude." The movie quickly became a cult classic and is on the Top Five list of many film-lovers.
Buoyed by boisterous music from Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam), the movie is comedic and philosophical. It touched the Zeitgeist of the Seventies exactly as "The Graduate" had the Sixties. The film tells the story of Harold, a young man confused by life who attends strangers' funerals for diversion. At one, he encounters a wild free spirit who expands Harold's perspective. Maude, a 79-year old Holocaust survivor, teaches Harold to loosen up and savor experiences. A key moment is when Harold spots a concentration camp tattoo on Maude's arm.
The humor and insights of "Harold and Maude" hold up. Re-watching the movie now continues to entertain us. If you've never seen it and want to laugh, hie thee to a screen!
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