π πππππ ππππ π
ππͺ© Day 1: Rocky Horror Picture Show πͺ©π
(I can't stop looking at this gif!)
πππ₯πππ¬ππ 1975
ππ’π«πππππ Jim Sharman
ππ©π¨π’π₯ππ« ππ₯ππ«π!
This is one of the movies that lived the most up to its description. It is, literally, "an erotic nightmare", in equal parts sexy, joyous, dark and, most surely, enthralling.
The beginning up to "Dammit, Janet" gives us just enough info for comparison with the surreal, luscious scenery of the Frankenstein Place. I'm a huge fan of the car breakdown scene: the dark setting, the shot being taken outside so you can see the rain hitting the front window, complete with Brad's optimism opposed to Janet's confusion and worry. When they are welcomed in, Riff Raff's character resembles more of a Dracula-like place, keeping a first-time viewer unaware of what might be going on until they step inside a flamboyant mess as the Transylvanians perform "Let's Do The Time Warp" (second favorite song of mine, first one is Science Fiction AKA the opening track). The narrator also going along was the best bit of the entire scene.
Rocky's design reminds me a lot of ancient Greek sculptures of deities and athletes, and I found it hilarious that the first thing he does in his life is... Sing. Honestly something you would expect from someone like his creator, main attraction and "sweet transvestite" scientist Frank-N-Furter. You know what you wouldn't expect from Frank, judging by Tim Curry's extraordinary portrayal and his damn sexy appearance? That he is a villain.
In the first place, he created Rocky merely to use him for sex (thus is mad upon finding out he did it with Janet); it's clear he did the same with Columbia and other people there (her "You chew people up and spit them out!" speech) and as soon as Eddie shows up, he sees him as competition and kills him to them serve him for dinner. Sure, he contributed to Brad and Janet finding their sexualities and must and letting go of social obligations of purity and modesty... How though? By having sex with them both. By first sneaking in their (separate) beds disguised as the partner, then coercing them until they resign. This scene admittedly made me very uncomfortable, also since it was dismissed as a funny moment back then. Oh, and obviously he proceeds to use his backstory as a sort of justification for his actions.
Though, I don't think he's the π°π―ππΊ villain. Dr. Scott, his rival scientist, is a nazi and doing research about the Transylvanians (probably to use against them in what I consider an allegory for nazi/right wing ideologies of racism and homophobia VS the minorities they target and their fight for freedom) to the point Frank suspects that Brad and Janet are spies sent from him once he finds out they know him.
Riff Raff, along with Magenta since she agreed with him, is also pretty much a villain. He seems to be tired of Frank's tyranny and kills him with a laser, but now here comes the second thing that made me angriest... He also kills Columbia?? WHY COLUMBIA? She was my favorite!!! ππ
This makes way for one of the most emotion scenes in the film: Rocky, in a desperate attempt to save Frank (even though at this point he is already dead), climbs the stage tower with him on his shoulders as he is continuously lasered. Rocky is still less than a day old, so his understanding is primitive: no matter who his creator was, he must be saved solely because he is the one who brought him to life. This ultimately causes us to feel bad for Frank, but also Brad and Janet (since in the closing track is stated that "darkness has conquered" them, they probably died).
This dark of an ending is not quite what I was expecting, it's very sad no matter what characters you like or don't like (unless you're only rooting for Riff Raff and Magenta, which... Why?), but it really completes the story; a happy ending just... Wouldn't feel right. You will be sad because it's over, but it feels as if it couldn't have ended any other way.
Absolutely LOVED this, will be watching again with my aunt as soon as I see her (I may update you on what she thinks as well!).
But now it's your turn! Do you agree with my review, why not, do you think I forgot to say something important (I surely did) or have you already left because you got halfway through and found this too boring? Let me know!! :)
theartofmadeline
ellievsbear
romaincrisis
discoholicmusic
tangentwithtanner
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
origamiaround
