Harold and Maude

Right now you can watch Harold and Maude in the US on Criterion Channel and Kanopy — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. An 8/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Ruth Gordon is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Available now on Criterion Channel — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Harold and Maude is worth clearing space for. The jokes in Harold and Maude land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. A deadpan young man obsessed with death meets an eccentric septuagenarian who teaches him to live life to the fullest. Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1971. The timing in Harold and Maude is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Harold and Maude is a strong candidate. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Ruth Gordon's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.