"Trouble" sequence from Harold & Maude

Is this the best use of a pop song in a film? Paul Morrissey once said that he hated Rock and Roll soundtracks in feature films because the narrative has to grind to a halt as the song plays. I tend to agree, but here is a case when a pop song propels the narrative forward, and is perfect accompaniment as the truth of a dramatic situation is unfolded and laid bare. This is a beautiful, extraordinary montage that concludes the film, though I cut the very end to avoid spoiling it for new viewers. Still, there is a big spoiler in this - see the movie before watching this.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• editing
• film
• montage
• Hal
• Ashby
• Harold
• and
• Maude

[Kroiker]

Of course, the harsh, static compositions of Bud Cort in the hospital, alone in the frame, are great. The last shot of him in the hospital is through the glass - a shot stylistically very similar to things you might see in Douglas Sirk's films.

[Kroiker]

The repetition of doctor walking down the hall also recalls the scene in "Graduate" where Hoffman has run out of gas and he is running toward the camera (which uses a telefoto lens) which makes it look like he isn't getting anywhere.

[Kroiker]

There's a film school adage "Movies come from movies". There are moments in this sequence that recall other images in other films - the doctor coming down the hall recalls the homecoming in "The Best Years of Our Lives". The rain on the windscreen is fairly common - the director "cries" instead of the character.

[Kroiker]

This sequence owes a lot to "The Graduate", which used Simon and Garfunkle and came out in 1967 (Harold and Maude was 1971) But I think Hal Ashby built on ideas of the graduate and was a bit more subtle.

[vwgub]

However you deconstruct the scene it still make me cry

[SternSuperManiac]

What a heavenly sequence. It is so moving in an introspective way. Hal Ashby knows how to do it right. I miss the film finesse of the late 60's and 70's.

[DonaldHope]

@colleccr Okay, Thanks! I thought it was the Bay Area (I used to live up there for 7 years *(SF & Alameda Naval Air Station)

[czc01123513]

daniel brou

[colleccr]

@DonaldHope San Francisco/Marin!

[menopausalguitarist]

My favorie movie & favorite song... Peace 2 All

[NobodySawThat]

I love this film so much. I first saw it 2 months ago, since then I have seen it 11 times and have cried every single time.

[jtwidmer]

Does anyone know if there is a transcript of what was being said in the hospital during this song?

[jtwidmer]

greatest love story ever told on film. 

[shelbysolski]

BEST movie BEST song - I have always loved cat stevens and harold and maude :)

[ItsAlliBear]

This movie and Cat Stevens was a match made in heaven.

[DonaldHope]

Wonder where this Movie was filmed at? anyone? Thanks

One of my FAVE Films Well, Since Forever~!! ♥