The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Starring: Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O'Brien, Patricia Quinn, Nell Campbell, Jonathan Adams, Peter Hinwood, Meat Loaf, Charles Gray
Directed by: Jim Sharman
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Musical
1975

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: After their car breaks down, a couple (Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick) find theselves in the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry).

Review:

Tim: It's hard for me to think of another film that starts out so promising but so quickly drops off. When The Rocky Horror Picture Show begins, it's pretty fantastic. It introduces us to this unconventional, wacky world. You have incredible songs like "Let's Do the Time Warp Again", you have Tim Curry going all out as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. You have a befuddled Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick. Watching all this madness unfold, I loved the film. Unfortunately, as the movie progresses deeper into its bizarro world, things begin making less and less sense. What was novel and thrilling quickly becomes a mess. By the end of the film, I was glad it was over. It's a strange movie- one that I still enjoyed, but the first half is worlds better than the latter half.

I have to say, I just loved the set up of this film. I continually asked myself, "What am I watching?" There were so many decisions here that must have seemed risky when it was originally made. It was fascinating to read how this was adapted from the stage play "The Rocky Horror Show" and that Tim Curry was part of the original production. I just find the story fascinating- two stranded travelers seek shelter at the castle home of a transvestite mad scientist who is trying to create a perfect human specimen in his laboratory. What? It combines so many different elements together that you are a bit in awe of the audacity of those responsible for creating it. Plus, it's a musical. It just makes me laugh. In a world where so many movies are cheap imitations of what came before it, you have to applaud this one. Although, to be fair, the movie does lose originality points since it's an unconventional reimagining of "Frankenstein". I would have liked the movie more had it been clever enough to really stand on its own. This is the rare movie that feels both original yet admittedly does borrow heavily from previous sources.

I do want to heap as much credit as I can on Tim Curry. Curry is never an actor that I immediately think of when I think of great actors, but the guy is incredible. I wish I had the language skills to appropriately describe his performance. It's larger-than-life. He brings infectious energy, charisma, and confidence to the role. He plays a transvestite in this 1975 production like it's the most ordinary thing in the world. There's so hint of hesitation as he embraces this zany character, whether he's singing, murdering, or seducing. Curry is truly remarkable in this role. I was spellbound by his performance. I enjoyed Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick. Neither one is even close to approaching Curry's greatness, but they make their characters memorable, even as they feel a little bland compared to the rest of the cast. They played the roles appropriately enough and helped make the movie better. It was fun seeing Meat Loaf in a small role. Charles Gray was strong in his small supporting role as well. You have to give the cast credit, they all seem to be loving their time in this film.

The music is interesting. Early on, I just loved it. "Let's Do the Time Warp Again" is an incredible song. It's one I would (and do) listen to on occasion, just for fun. "Science Fiction/Double Feature" has some nice moments. "I Can Make You a Man" is pretty catchy. However, some of the other songs felt several tiers below the others. It feels like the best songs come early, before a series of average ones, and then we return to the great ones at the end of the film.

My biggest complaint of the film is that it feels like the story just falls apart. I'm all for zaniness and insanity, but it feels like the story eventually crumbles under its own weight. The premise is fantastic, our protagonists go through some challenges, but the end of the movie lost me. I didn't care quite enough about the characters and so when the more science fiction aspects come in, it was hard to stay engaged. When the characters become statues is really when my patience wore out. The final numbers felt bland and the story didn't make enough sense.

While I wish I could have maintained the feeling I had at the beginning (which was, "I love this movie!"). I loved parts of it, but it felt too scattered to be a truly great movie. However, I have to be clear- I really enjoyed The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It's an influential, boundary pushing film. It's a good movie (unfortunately, it should have been better).

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



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