593. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Running Time: 100 minutes
Directed By: Jim Sharman
Written By: Jim Sharman, Richard O'Brien, from the play The Rocky Horror Picture Show by Richard O'Brien
Main Cast: Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O'Brien, Patricia Quinn

"LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN"

For me, there has always been this sort of mystique that has surrounded "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". It has always been that movie that EVERYONE has heard of, but up until today, I hadn't seen. I had been warned that it was fairly silly and that I probably wouldn't like it, but the warnings were unnecessary, as I was thoroughly entertained!

The plot really isn't the important part, but I'll go over it anyway, since that's the norm' around here. Brad (Bostwick) has just proposed to Janet (Sarandon) and the two head off to share the news with their mutual friend and former professor, Dr. Everett Scott. On the way there, day turns into night, blue skies turn to grey and before the two lovebirds know it they're stuck in a thunderstorm, in the middle of the night, on a dead end road, with a punctured tire. Brad remembers a castle that the duo passed a few miles back and decides to seek refuge and ask for use of their phone. Janet, not wanting to stay alone, joins him. When Brad and Janet get to the castle, they are greeted by a mysterious looking creature who lets them in. They are never answered when inquiring about the use of a phone, but are instead invited to a sort of celebration that "the Master" is having at the castle on this evening. The Master turns out to be Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Curry), a transvestite (from transsexual Transylvania) who has just finished his latest creation, Rocky. Rocky is a young muscle man that Dr. Furter created as his boy toy. From there the songs are sung and the oddities don't stop coming till the credits roll.

I went into this expecting it to be terrible, but at the same time I had an open mind and was ready to have fun, if that was a requirement of the film. Turns out that having fun is the #1 requirement of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and being entertained is a very close second. I'm afraid I would have to question anyone who says that they are not, at least, entertained by "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". I mean, the songs are catchy, the costumes are wild, the characters are unforgettable and the acting is over the top, so much over the top that it reeks of fun. In fact, while "fun" seems to be the word of the day, you can even sense that the cast is having a whole hell of a lot of fun on the set. In mentioning unforgettable characters, I have to mention Tim Curry's Dr. Frank-N-Furter, which is the most unforgettable of the lot. What an outstanding reveal as he descends from the rafters via an elevator shaft, with his white platform heels tapping to the beat of "Sweet Transvestite". Unforgettable.

While it's far from the greatest film ever committed to celluloid, if you keep your expectations low and loosen up, I think you'll have a good time with it. There are going to be a lot of people who will dismiss it based on bad acting or bad plot and while those accusations aren't entirely untrue, its a factor that simply isn't important when viewing "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and I think the makers of this film would be the first to admit that. If someone were to say to me, "I'm going to give you 100 minutes to entertain me", I think my first reaction would be to pop this film in for them, because it is a very entertaining film. 'Nuff said? Nuff' said!

RATING: 7/10 That could lower by the end of the month, but like I said, I had a blast with this film and would recommend it...to certain people.

MOVIES WATCHED: 277
MOVIES LEFT TO WATCH: 724

July 4, 2011 11:19pm
Happy 4th of July