Mon, June 9, 2008
The envelope please...—10:58 AM
One of the fun things about Netflix (at least the way I do it) is the surprise when you open a new red envelope: you never know what you're going to get, but you know it's a movie you're interested in seeing (or were at some point).
The result of that is you don't always know what kind of mood you'll be in when you watch a given movie. (With no due dates or late fees, you're not forced to watch the movie right away, but it's best not to take too long.) Sometimes Netflix will serve up a movie that's not what you thought you were looking for that week, but it really hits the spot. Other times, it will be eerily attuned to your mood.
So, it worked out well to receive Harold and Maude this week – although I hadn't related the two, I have been in a very black mood lately, much like Harold. I won't say watching the movie saved my life, but Maude's wisdom gave Harold and I both a little perspective. (Also, I hadn't watched the film all the way through since before Rushmore came out. It's surprising how much of the Wes Anderson aesthetic has been wholly co-opted – at least we can give him credit for not denying it.)
AC — Mon, 6/9/08 11:54am
Funny, thought I'd seen it, but I never have. I added it to my queue, so I'll let you know what I think in about a year or so.
Interesting side note– the blurb writer at Netflix must have been having a punchy day when they wrote the one for this movie: "Hassled by his domineering mother (Vivian Pickles [he he! -ed]) to play the dating game, the morbid Harold would rather attend funerals, which is where he meets the feisty Maude (natch)."
Natch? Really?
AC — Mon, 6/9/08 11:56am
Also, remember that nothing brightens a black mood quite as well as kittens and a Coke box...
Bee Boy — Mon, 6/9/08 4:18pm
Oh, you can't believe how disappointed I was when I found out that clip didn't end with a steamroller. ;-)