Day 7 of 13 Days of Halloween

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

     Halloween, the one day of the year where society finds it acceptable to dress up in costume and be somebody else. Nothing epitomizes this feeling as much as going to a midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. To be perfectly clear, this is not a review of the whole experience with the dressing up, props and shadow cast. This is a review of the film itself. Although the fact that Tim Curry can work a pair of heels far better than I ever will is a bit troubling.

Story:

     The plot is outlandish and weird and hilarious and self aware. What I mean by that is the fourth wall does not exist and probably never existed throughout filming. People appear and disappear with nary a reason. The whole film is told as if it was a highly strange police file. This works because it gives the film a way to demolish the fourth wall without having it be out of place.

Songs/Music:

     Easily the most famous song from The Rocky Horror Picture Show is "Time Warp". It's catchy, easy to sing plus, the dance is really fun to do. The songs, overall, are catchy little ear worms that help with the atmosphere of each scene they're involved with. "Damn It, Janet" is a breezy little old style pop/rock number reminiscent of the fifties. "Hot Patootie - Bless My Soul" is a rock n roll number that involves Meat Loaf on a motorcycle. The ending song (or both depending on if it is the US or UK version) seem sightly out of place with the frenetic energy of the rest of the film.

Acting:

     The acting in this film is amazing. Everyone seems to not take the script too seriously and just have fun. Tim Curry as an alien transvestite is absolutely remarkable. The man can pull off fishnets and sparkly platform heels like there's no tomorrow. Susan Sarandon is brilliant as the innocent heroine. The rest of the cast is superb as well.

     All in all, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is one hell of a good time. For those who wish to see it, not on the Halloween anniversary showings, The Nuart theatre in Los Angeles has showings every Saturday night at midnight complete with a killer shadow cast. 

Overall Rating: 4.2/5