A unique, dark comedy from Hal Ashby
During the early 1970s, with the Vietnam War still raging and Richard Nixon in the White House, mass protests encountering often violent responses and four student protestors killed and nine wounded at Kent State University by the Ohio National Guard, the youth of America became increasingly alienated from traditional authority and the catchphrase of the era was, “Don’t trust anyone over 30.” “Harold and Maude” is very much a product of this time yet, paradoxically, its central relationship is between a disaffected young man and a woman long past the age of 30.<br /><br />Harold Chasen (Bud Cort, “McCabe and Mrs. Miller”) is a wealthy but morose teenager obsessed with death. He stages elaborate ”suicides” for the benefit of his mother (Vivian Pickles), who is beyond being shocked by his dark antics. He visits cemeteries and attends funerals of people he doesn’t know. His mother sends him first to a psychiatrist, then to his uncle Victor (Charles Tyner), an army general, in the hope that they can straighten him out and put him on an improved path in life, but they fail. Deciding next that what Harold needs is marriage, his mother fills out a dating questionnaire in his name and sets up three dates for him. They don’t go well.<br /><br />During one of his cemetery visits, Harold notices an elderly woman who also seems to be an observer rather than a relative or friend of the deceased. They later turn up at another funeral together and the woman engages Harold in conversation. She’s Maude (Ruth Gordon, “Rosemary’s Baby”), a septuagenarian who lives life by her own rules.<br /><br />Harold becomes fascinated with her. He visits her at home—a converted railroad car overstuffed with fascinating bric-a-brac and artwork. Her eccentricities include driving away with any car that’s handy, speeding on highways, and stealing a cop’s motorcycle. She empathizes so with suffering that she talks Harold into helping her uproot a withering curbside sapling and replanting it in the forest.<br /><br />Maude’s love of life draws Harold out of his shell, and the two share their days watching wrecking balls demolish buildings, visiting cemeteries, and philosophizing about life.<br /><br />Cort is outstanding in this dark fairytale. Pale and stone-faced in the early scenes, he is an almost spectral vision, going through his days not really living. Cort’s expressions speak volumes as, in one scene, he momentarily breaks the fourth wall to smile wickedly into the camera before turning to his disapproving mother, that smile quickly changing to a somber countenance. Once Harold meets Maude, Cort takes on a healthier look. There’s color in his face and he smiles more. He seems enchanted with this elderly woman who acts like a kid.<br /><br />Gordon often chews up the scenery but conveys an offbeat charm that’s hard to resist. We can’t quite get a handle on Maude, and Colin Higgins’ script keeps her somewhat enigmatic. A brief glimpse of a tattoo gives the character gravity, making her not a loony-old-lady caricature but a woman who’s not had the easiest life. Gordon is a mischievous elf next to rail-thin, long-limbed, gawky Cort.<br /><br />Vivian Pickles gives Harold’s mother a resigned yet frustrated demeanor. She simply doesn’t know why her son is so odd or how to cope with him, and repeatedly makes plans for him that backfire. Pickles’ deadpan delivery of the first line in the movie, after seeing Harold hanging by the neck, sets the tone for her character: “I suppose you think that’s very funny.”<br /><br />Director Hal Ashby has assembled a funny, sentimental, dark comedy. Cat Stevens’ music is a vital ingredient that underscores the tone of the film and is a perfect fit. Stevens wrote two new songs for the picture, including the film’s main theme, “If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out.”<br /><br />This is the 29th release in the Paramount Presents series. The PG-rated film is divided into 26 chapters for easy, quick access to scenes. A Digital code is included in the packaging. The slipcase opens out to reveal the film’s original poster. Bonus materials include an audio commentary, brief featurette about Cat Stevens and his music for the movie, and 2 theatrical trailers.<br /><br />“Harold and Maude” is a darkly comic tale with an embedded serious theme running throughout. Harold’s faked suicides and the reactions of his dates are inspired comic high points. The movie’s life-affirming attitude is rooted in Maude’s not-so-pleasant past, and its joyous spirit is infectious. Cort and Gordon have great screen chemistry in an unconventional, sweet buddy film.
The movie title "Paramount Presents: Harold and Maude [Blu-ray]," available on Movies & TV, has received an average rating of 4.7 from 120 reviewers. 
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The additional details include the following in key-value format :
 {"MPAA rating": "PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)", "Package Dimensions": "6.85 x 5.51 x 0.59 inches; 3.52 Ounces", "Media Format": "Blu-ray", "Run time": "1 hour and 31 minutes", "Release date": "December 7, 2021", "Actors": "Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, Vivian Pickles", "Dubbed": "French", "Studio": "PARAMOUNT", "Country of Origin": "USA", "Number of discs": "1"}

Here is a brief synopsis of the title : Director Hal Ashby’s coming-of-age comedy, based on a screenplay by Colin Higgins, celebrates 50 years in this beautifully restored and remastered Blu-ray from Paramount Presents. In this essential cult-classic, Howard is a death-obsessed teen (Bud Cort) who falls for Maude (Oscar winner Ruth Gordon), a happy-go-lucky, eccentric 79-year-old. To a lilting Yusuf/Cat Stevens soundtrack, Maude teaches Harold a valuable lesson about making the most of his time on earth..