CONTENT WARNING: This review, film and/or soundtrack contains themes of sexual expression, violence, assault and conspiracy.
Around this time of year, hundreds of movie theatres across the country host midnight screenings of cult classic, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” While I have yet to actually go to one of these events, I have seen the movie numerous times. I love the film and feel like it is rightfully a cult classic.
Background
I did a little background research and discovered that it was actually written when Richard O’Brien was an unemployed actor trying to keep busy. He wrote the story combining classic science fiction and low-budget horror films into a musical amalgamation. The story came to stage in 1973 and later to screen as an independent film in 1975. The film served as the breakout role for Tim Curry who played Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Some of the original stage cast was also retained, such as Richard O’Brien who played Riff-Raff and Patricia Quinn who played Magenta.
One thing that has been noted, unfortunately, was the conditions that the actors were in, especially for the pool scene at the end. A subset of the characters are all wearing lingerie with heavy makeup on and are swimming around in a pool on a stage, trying to indicate an orgy. As it turns out, the water was cold and the set bathrooms, or really anywhere else, was also quite cold. Susan Sarandon as noted that she caught pneumonia after the filming of this particular scene.
Additionally, the character of Rocky has another singer dubbed over his voice. This person is Trevor White, who’s contribution to the film was left uncredited.
Plot
This movie was a testament to sexual and gender fluidity. This movie, however, also contains a fair amount of assault, abuse and violence. Additonally, there are allusions to conspiracy and incest.
The story is told from the perspective of a criminologist studying a mysterious case. It is of a newly engaged couple, very prim and proper, stumbling into a world they never knew existed. Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, just hours after getting engaged, are caught in the middle of nowhere in the rain with a flat tire. They walk a few miles back to a castle where their lives will be changed forever.
There, they experience sexual awakenings and gender expression far beyond their comprehension. The other side of this would be that they also had to endure sexual assault and witness murder and abuse. In the castle, they meet sexually charged Riff-Raff and Magenta as well as Columbia and Dr. Frank-N-Furter, their master.
Brad and Janet, despite the oddities before them, request to use a phone to call for assistance but are refused. Instead they are stripped of their clothes, led to bear witness to the birth of a “perfect man” whose sole purpose is to satiate the sexual desires of Dr. Frank-N-Futer, and ultimately they are both seduced and used as playthings in the Doctor’s lifestyle of garters, heels, and corsets.
As it turns out, the odd characters of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Riff-Raff, Magenta and Columbia are all aliens from the planet Transsexual in the galaxy called Transylvania. They were on Earth to satiate Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s curiosity about humanity and his quest to create the perfect man. Only Riff-Raff and Magenta, who we discover are siblings despite the sporadic lustful contact throughout the film, are the only ones who ultimately return to their home. Their reasoning being that Frank-N-Furter’s lifestyle is too extreme, even for them. To me, this seems like a reflection of what the fear of free sexuality and fluidity might have led to without the shackles of the cis/het expectations of society.
Brad, Janet and one Dr. Scott are left behind in the rubble, traumatized. It is left up in the air what actually happens to them but it is definitely seen that their lives would never be the same again.
Music
The music in this film has been noted down in musical history. There are many songs that are now known as classics, especially in some Halloween playlists. Some of the most noteworthy would be “Time Warp,” “Sweet Transvestite,” “Hot-Patootie – Bless My Soul” and “Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me.”
The style of the music in this film is very 50s rock n’ roll. Many of the songs start off with a simple guitar lick with some distortion slapped on. Keyboards can be noted in many of the songs as well as a well defined saxophone solo from the character of Eddie, played by Meat Loaf.
Richard O’Brien was a fan of Steve Reeves movies and wanted to incorporate some of that into this film, which explains the 50s style of music. The ensemble really seem to have taken the idea and ran with it well as they have a large variety of voices chiming in for the choruses.
I want to say that this film isn’t for everyone. It is a cult classic for a reason. There’s nudity and violence and many disturbing themes, but if reading this review has you intrigued, then I think that you’ll really enjoy this film. I have to say that I love the personal expression, the interpersonal challenges and the inevitable karmic consequences. I think it is a great movie to watch if you’re in the mood for something a little out of the ordinary.
— dj dragonfly
