Current Movie Review

Phone Booth

Access the Movie Review Archives
Send in your review here

Reviewer Reviews

Puddin
This movie treats death in a way that I feel is truly original. On the one hand, you have young Harold who is infatuated with death at the beginning of his life, on the other hand, you have Maude, who embraces death as she nears the end of her life. Juxtaposing the two characters, who one would expect to have the other sentiment toward death creates an unexpected and compelling storyline.
Harold plays the best role in my opinion. He is such an earnest, serious young man that as Maude coaxes him into the world where life is enjoyed, the viewer feels almost relieved when he lets even the smallest smile escape. His deadpan visage will remind many of somebody that they know.....
Maude is a very interesting figure as well, but her antics do grow a bit tiresome. It is neat to see an old woman acting like a nutcase, but it does grow a bit old after awhile.
Harold's mother is easily overlooked, but I feel that she also plays a very important part in the exploration of death, wanting to simply avoid dealing with the issues that Harold has and instead trying to just force him through them. She takes life extremely seriously, believing that the only important thing in it is getting married.
Finally, there is Harold's uncle. Truly a bizarre man, he salutes by hiking his empty sleeve up to his forehead via a string wrapped around his neck which he pulls with his existing hand. Again, he seems to show how being over-seriousness can lead to complete misery.
Now, the relationship between Harold and Maude DOES get a bit disgusting at times. However, I think this is an important part of the story, in that it shows that for all of Harold's oddities and seeming immaturity, he may be a bit more mature than the rest of us, willing to look past Maude's age and seeing her beauty inside..... Maybe???? Anybody???? Okay, maybe not. It is just gross.

Digit
Harold and Maude was one strange movie. But I liked it. Initially the idea of a 18-year old boy and an 80-some year old woman really made me quite ill...but as the movie progressed, I realized that it wasn't really about the age difference, it was more about two lost souls that needed eachother. Each gave the other life and love.
The focus on death was dark but in some way comical. Here you have Harold who, in my opinion, was so infatuated with staging his death because all he really ever wanted was to be loved by his family. Then you have Maude, who knows she is nearing the end of her life and invites death...I think to come to terms with her mortality. Both realize that they have this common obsession with death and build a relationship based on their eccentric behaviors. Maude shows Harold wisdom, fun, and confidence....while Harold gives Maude love and innocence....one last time.... well....until that one scene where...uhmm...well.... I can't even say...ok, it was just not right...
But in the end, the message I got out of it was that the focus on death really turned out to be a lesson on living life to the fullest. Which is the kind of message in a movie that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy in the end. So, I'd recommend this flick to anyone who likes quirky movies. [Note: a good soundtrack was provided by Cat Stevens]

Judo

Reviewer	Reviews
Puddin	This movie treats death in a way that I feel is truly original. On the one hand, you have young Harold who is infatuated with death at the beginning of his life, on the other hand, you have Maude, who embraces death as she nears the end of her life. Juxtaposing the two characters, who one would expect to have the other sentiment toward death creates an unexpected and compelling storyline. Harold plays the best role in my opinion. He is such an earnest, serious young man that as Maude coaxes him into the world where life is enjoyed, the viewer feels almost relieved when he lets even the smallest smile escape. His deadpan visage will remind many of somebody that they know..... Maude is a very interesting figure as well, but her antics do grow a bit tiresome. It is neat to see an old woman acting like a nutcase, but it does grow a bit old after awhile. Harold's mother is easily overlooked, but I feel that she also plays a very important part in the exploration of death, wanting to simply avoid dealing with the issues that Harold has and instead trying to just force him through them. She takes life extremely seriously, believing that the only important thing in it is getting married. Finally, there is Harold's uncle. Truly a bizarre man, he salutes by hiking his empty sleeve up to his forehead via a string wrapped around his neck which he pulls with his existing hand. Again, he seems to show how being over-seriousness can lead to complete misery. Now, the relationship between Harold and Maude DOES get a bit disgusting at times. However, I think this is an important part of the story, in that it shows that for all of Harold's oddities and seeming immaturity, he may be a bit more mature than the rest of us, willing to look past Maude's age and seeing her beauty inside..... Maybe???? Anybody???? Okay, maybe not. It is just gross.
Digit	Harold and Maude was one strange movie. But I liked it. Initially the idea of a 18-year old boy and an 80-some year old woman really made me quite ill...but as the movie progressed, I realized that it wasn't really about the age difference, it was more about two lost souls that needed eachother. Each gave the other life and love. The focus on death was dark but in some way comical. Here you have Harold who, in my opinion, was so infatuated with staging his death because all he really ever wanted was to be loved by his family. Then you have Maude, who knows she is nearing the end of her life and invites death...I think to come to terms with her mortality. Both realize that they have this common obsession with death and build a relationship based on their eccentric behaviors. Maude shows Harold wisdom, fun, and confidence....while Harold gives Maude love and innocence....one last time.... well....until that one scene where...uhmm...well.... I can't even say...ok, it was just not right... But in the end, the message I got out of it was that the focus on death really turned out to be a lesson on living life to the fullest. Which is the kind of message in a movie that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy in the end. So, I'd recommend this flick to anyone who likes quirky movies. [Note: a good soundtrack was provided by Cat Stevens]
Judo