Today’s quick review: The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon) and Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick), a newly engaged couple, are stranded in the woods on a stormy night when their car breaks down. They seek shelter in a nearby castle belonging to Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a transvestite scientist who invites them to watch the birth of his latest creation.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a musical horror parody with a cult following and a tradition of audience participation. A surreal fantasy posing as a 50s musical posing as a tacky horror movie, The Rocky Horror Picture Show merges its eclectic influences into a movie unlike any other. Its catchy rock and roll soundtrack, unpredictable plot, and unique atmosphere are enough to make it an interesting watch at the very least, with a chance at becoming something more.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show opens with a literal love song to old-school science fiction. Its plot mimics well-known sci-fi and horror conventions, but with a subversive edge that gives the the movie an identity of its own. Tim Curry headlines as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a memorable performance that blends danger and charm in equal parts. The film’s many musical numbers, done in the style of classic rock, give the film an upbeat vibe in spite of its dark subject matter.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show does have a few issues with its presentation that detract from its merits. The sound mixing brings out the electric guitar at the cost of the vocals, obscuring story-crucial lines in several places. The plot comes across as random and hard to follow during a first viewing. A couple of macabre moments and the film’s descent into madness let the movie live up to the “horror” part of its name at the cost of adding a darker side to its humor.
Whether you will enjoy The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be a matter of taste. The catchy music, perpetual irreverence, and oddball tone are enough to make it a unique and even enjoyable watch. At the same time, the muddled plot, excessive strangeness, and low amount of overt humor will turn off viewers expecting anything resembling a conventional movie.
Watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show only if you are curious about it. Its quality is high enough for it to be worthwhile even for lukewarm viewers, but the chance of becoming a devoted fan gives The Rocky Horror Picture Show a substantial upside. Skip it if strangeness does not appeal to you.
7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for originality and a catchy soundtrack, tempered by an odd tone and a few major flaws; your score can be much higher if the movie catches you the right way.