My Favorite Movies -- Harold and Maude (1971)

Many shrug off Harold as Maude as an inferior knock-off of The Graduate. In many ways I enjoy it more than The Graduate. Sure it has a romance between a younger man and older woman, sure it has a folky soundtrack (Cat Stevens), sure it has social satire... but the characters! In many ways Harold and Maude is a great symbol of the transition between the peace and love 60's and the more cynical, self-centered 70's. You have the incredibly, hilariously morose Harold with his life full of fake suicides and absent rich parents.... and you have the vivacious, life-affirming senior citizen Maude. I so love both characters. If you don't fall in love with Maude by the end of this movie... you have no heart. So many many many great scenes.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYxOWPzZXBM&feature=related

A. Harold commits various suicides to ward off the blind dates set-up by his mother.

B. Harold meets Maude at the cemetary for the first time.

C. Maude saves a tree.

D. Harold converts his jaguar.

E. Maude throws Harolds engagement ring into the bay.

F. The Ending. (spoilers) http://youtube.com/watch?v=TXWr-lBL67k

My Favorite Movies -- The Graduate (1967)

This movie is most remembered for a young Dustin Hoffman being seduced by Anne Bancroft. This is much more than a coming-of-age sex farce. The Graduate is full of social satire as well as examining the state of being "adrift"... unsure of what directions your young life should take. Also, don't forget the wonderful and famous soundtrack featuring just about every Simon and Garfunkel song you would ever want to hear.

Great moments:

A. Ben being told by one of his father's friends that the secret to success in business is one word... "plastics."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PSxihhBzCjk

B. The initial seduction by Mrs. Robinson.

C. Ben in his new scuba suit sitting forlornly at the bottom of his parent's swimming pool.

D. Ben awkwardly kissing a cold Mrs. Robinson... when the kiss is over she releases her mouthful of cigarette smoke.

E. Ben taking Elaine to a strip club.

F. Ben racing to stop Elaine's wedding and the ensuing church confrontation.