One of the all time greatest, greatest films, a fabulous character sketch. I have to remember to introduce this one to my children, soon.

I never noticed before, but there are no photos in the frames on Maude's piano. Great touch and fitting for a character who doesn't want to freeze moments and get stuck in time.

Scott,

If Maude is the Mentor, then who is the Attractor in the movie? Couldn't Maude be both, since she mentored Harold in the ways of love, emotional and physical, as they do end up in bed together?

I just saw this movie last night actually. Ruth Gordon was incredible - made her mark in scene after scene.

Bud Cort's blank stares were creepy as hell. But his transformation was amazing to watch.

Another quote that I love from Maude is: "Consistency is not really a human trait". This movie says so much about being open minded and embracing change. I also loved Ruth Gordon in "Rosemary's Baby".

@Jayne: I said the same thing to myself when I composed the OP. My oldest son would love this movie.

@Annika W: Never noticed the no photo thing. Nice catch! Re archetypes: While I always teach my students that a character has one primary archetype - it's just easier to think that way - I'm not going to say one can't make a case for someone serving two primary functions. You could probably argue that for Maude. However I might be more inclined to ascribe a psychological dynamic as Harold's Attractor: his romanticized notion of death. He's obsessed with various ways of killing himself. In the end, Maude shows - through her own death - this is what it's really like. Once again there's a Shawhsank moment for Harold at the very end: Get busy livin' (playing banjo on the clifftops) or get busy dyin' (driving off cliff).

@Jason: Talk about synchronicity! Glad you enjoyed it. And yes, that is one of the most notable aspects of Maude's persona: her openness.