The Social Issues of Harold and Maude

The inclusion of gothic elements and scenes of graphic gore could make labeling Harold and Maude as a dark comedy quite simple. The film also fits in with youth rebellion films of the 1960s such as Bonnie and Clyde and The Graduate, but overall Colin Higgins and Hal Ashby's 1971 film rests most comfortably under the romantic comedy umbrella. As a romantic comedy, the movie grapples with numerous social problems; from the obvious issue of the age gap between the central characters, to more subtle topics, such as the disconnect between modern parents and their children. The story of Harold and Maude's short-lived relationship is both tender and funny, but the influence of 60s counterculture and the backdrop of the ongoing Vietnam War bolster the film's observations on serious social issues.