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What's Up Doc ': Similarities Between Harold And Maude'

Decent Essays

“What’s Up Doc?” and “Harold and Maude” are both romantic comedies, yet their differences are in the details, making them wholly individual and similar all the same. They both show romantic relationships in the forms of Judy and Maude respectively, but “What’s Up Doc?” has the opposing force as Eunice (a platonic relationship) and “Harold and Maude” has an opposing force in Harold’s mom (a parental relationship). “What’s Up Doc?” shows the dynamics of the characters using light-hearted comedy, while “Harold and Maude” uses a dose of black comedy and realistic issues as a way of conveying the relationships between the different characters. It is clear in “What’s Up Doc?” that Judy has developed romantic feelings towards Howard when she serenades …show more content…

In “What’s Up Doc?” Howard is very reluctant to allow Judy in his life, but slowly accepts it as she continuously pesters him while in “Harold and Maude” …show more content…

Early on, Mrs. Chasen is shown as dismissive of her son, waving off his suicide attempts as silly grabs for attention. Some of Harold’s feelings for his mother are exposed when a psychiatrist asks if his suicides were done for his mother’s benefit, in which Harold replies, “No. No, I would not say benefit.” Further on, it is revealed that Harold is hoping to garner a true emotional response from his mother like the day she thought he was really dead and has tried to invoke the same feelings in her since for his own benefit. Mrs. Chasen decides she knows what’s best for him when she fills out the dating service survey for herself and not Harold. A point of view shot is shown as Harold stares down the barrel of the gun at his mother before he then makes the customary suicide attempt on himself, giving the viewer a sense of apprehension at Harold’s feelings towards his mother. When Harold is seen practicing the banjo, Mrs. Chasen pays little attention, even though she should be thrilled that he has a hobby that is not going to funerals. When Harold shares his plan to marry Maude with his mother, she instantly disapproves, yet Harold just walks away, no longer going along with her wishes. The montage of various people talking to Harold about his relationship with Maude is spurred by his mother, showing her to be the main opposing force to their relationship and Harold’s

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