My2Cents-2 Reviews

Harold and Maude (1971)

When I grow up, I want to be just like Maude

[30 March 1999]

I first saw this film in college and fell in love with it. Maude is one of the most beautiful characters I've ever encountered, and nobody but Ruth Gordon could have played her. If you are fed up with life, or feel as if you're just existing, not living, get hold of this movie and take in its life-affirming message.

It's a shame "Harold and Maude" has been dubbed a "cult film" and a "hippie flick." I'm sure such labels have scared away lots of people who could benefit from it. If you know such a person, simply tell them it's a black comedy, then sit them down to watch it!

Harvey (1950)

Where can I get a pooka?

[30 March 1999]

OK, he wasn't bad as George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life," but Elwood P. Dowd is the character Jimmy Stewart was born to play. His speech outside Charlie's bar is beautiful, as he describes how he spends his days, and his sister's transformation at the end, when she realizes she likes him better "insane," is a guaranteed smile-through-your-tears moment.

I also cherish the bit where Dr. Sanderson thinks Dowd has been wrongly committed to the mental hospital and tries to explain that he and the nurse have made a mistake. Dowd believes he's referring to a sexual indiscretion. The doctor says, "Of course, if I had seen your sister first ... " Stewart's shocked expression is priceless!

This film leaves me yearning for two things: my very own "pooka," and "Akron, cold beer and 'poor, poor thing.'" See it; you'll understand!

Cimarron (1960)

Edna, how could you?

[7 March 1999]

I thought perhaps the reason this version of "Cimarron" butchered its source material was because Edna Ferber was dead by the time it was made. But no, she didn't die until 1968. I can't believe she gave her stamp of approval to this film, which, while visually stunning, bears very little resemblance to her novel.

Glenn Ford was a heck of an actor, but too much the strong 'n' silent type to play such a flamboyant character as Yancey Cravat. Maria Schell's accent is distracting, and her Sabra is whiny, clingy and devoid of most of the strength and heroism I love about Ferber's female characters.

The 1931 "Cimarron" is a far more faithful adaptation of the novel, but be warned: The character of Isaiah (conveniently left out of the 1960 version) is an offensively exaggerated black stereotype, which, unfortunately (sorry, Edna) is also true to the book.