Did Maude really have to go like THAT? And other thoughts.

First of all, this movie is my favorite movie in the entire world and the only thing I would change about it is if they left in those scenes that were in the trailer, particularly the kissing scenes.

However, I just feel so bad for Harold. If Maude was truly set on dying when she turned 80, did she really think she was going to have her birthday celebration with Harold, probably have sex, and die right in front of him? I’m sure she knew she was going to see him again after their first night of love making. Why break the news to him like that? How did she think he would react?

I think if we were to take this story literally (and we aren’t—it’s a fairy tale, a dark comedy, a philosophical message), I think she should have had her time with Harold and then done it after it was over, maybe write him a note so he’d find it when he went over there again. They didn’t even get to have the birthday celebration, after Harold put so much effort planning it.

But if it did happen that way we wouldn’t have had those indelible movie moments: the brilliant acting of Bud Cort—his disbelief, shock, pleading, and heart breaking sadness—and Maude’s poignant words in the ambulance telling Harold to “love some more”.

Realistically, the hospital should have been able to save her; the pills weren’t in her system for that long and a stomach pump should have worked. And if not, I don’t think it would have taken the whole night of her being in critical condition to end up not making it. It was morning when the doctor told Harold the news. But I digress, for the movie was not meant to be viewed in a realistic light.

I saw this movie about eight years ago and saw it again on Monday. For some reason this movie hit me really hard on second viewing and I’ve been crying for DAYS. Probably because I’ve been having suicide ideation myself lately but the palpable, visceral pain Harold went through is something I don’t want my loved ones to experience.

On a lighter note, Bud Cort was adorable with a beautiful voice, and got more and more irresistible as the film went on. Although Maude was Harold’s first love, and had a tremendous, soul changing affect on him, I don’t think Maude had the same strong feelings or viewed him as a soul mate as he did her. After all, she lost her husband (who was most likely her great and true love) decades ago. I think she found happiness and excitement in his company for the last week of her life. As awful as it seems for her to leave Harold as she did, she knew that he was so young and had so much life left, and she wanted him to live it as much as he could, by meeting women his own age, maybe going to college and having children of his own if he so desired. That in itself is an act of selflessness. He will always remember her as a lively, vivacious woman and will never go through the agony of seeing her decline. She died without him ever having the chance to fall out of love with her. But oh if they could only have had the birthday party!

I can’t remember another movie that has affected me so much.