This is the movie that started it all for all of us. This was the first movie that Tim Curry did that had such a wide spread impact on the viewing audience. His performance in this film has inspired generations to let go of their inhibitions and be tempted to seek out the things that give them pleasure. This is a film that resounded with audiences because it was breaking through a barrier of oppression and conformity. This isn't a movie for everyone, especially those who fit the very image of conformity that this is trying to break. It's a movie for anyone who's had an unspoken wish or desire that they felt they couldn't express. Tim Curry leads the way as Dr. Frank-N-Furter to expand the minds of the two uptight travelers who wind up coming across the mansion where he lives, on the night that he is throwing a celebration. He is bold, shocking and exotic and no man ever looked better in fishnets and heels.
My mind is already singing along with all of the songs and I've only just begun to think about what I love about this movie. I didn't see this movie until I was in my late teens or early twenties. It was a mind blowing experience and I immediately latched onto those songs, singing them on repeat almost daily for a week. It is catchy and some songs truly resonate with you because they hit something inside you that you didn't know needed to be activated. I have never had a chance to experience the midnight showings of this film where people get dressed up as their favorite characters and get to interact with the film in varying ways. I can only imagine what it's like for the clean up crew who gets to go into the theater after an event like that. If you've never heard of these midnight showings, then just know that a lot of stuff gets thrown in the theater. I will go to one at some point. Maybe this is the year for it? There are so many fun moments in this movie that stick with you for years after watching it and each time I watch it I find new things that I didn't notice before. For example, on your first watch, you don't realize that there are certain actors used in some early scenes in completely different personas than later in the movie. Once you see it, though, they stand out and you see the humor and the irony of the roles they're portraying.
This movie is such a favorite of mine. It never gets old. I sing along with the songs, they get stuck in my head for days and I just flat out get excited about watching it. Tim Curry truly carries the character of Frank N Furter off so perfectly that he can turn a feminine apparel wardrobe into a sexy, masculine look that WORKS! He comfortably struts around in platform heels and barely any clothing and looks completely at ease. This is a movie meant to push boundaries and can make almost anyone question their sexuality. Lines are blurred between these characters and boundaries are expanded in shocking ways (at least to those who thought they had hard lines). This movie is all about freedom from repression and allowing yourself to fully explore the things that interest you. Our society had put a stranglehold on which desires were acceptable over the centuries. Frankie came to town, found out what he liked and felt no remorse or shame in expressing it. He also encouraged others to do the same, showing them how freeing it was to give themselves over to "absolute pleasure."
It's a concept that connected with the audience on such a deep level that it spawned it's own cult following of people who felt the freeing message of the story was their calling to reach out for the things they desired most. Sometimes it was a clothing choice, sometimes it was a sexual preference, sometimes it was as simple as not feeling guilty about the movies or shows they watched. Everyone feels conscientious about the things they enjoy because society has made it taboo to a certain level. No one has a problem sharing the stories of their scars because pain is an acceptable experience according to our society. Pleasure, though? Even me just writing the word "pleasure" makes me nervous that I'm going to push someone's sensitivity too far. With working in an environment where I deal with people from all walks of life, I've been conditioned to watch what I say and always show a modicum of professionalism at all times. Breaking from that outside of my closest friends is really hard and I become super self-conscious about it. This movie is one that constantly reminds me that I can be as much of a dork as I want and it's okay because I find pleasure in getting obsessed with books, movies and music. That if I want to dress up in Renaissance style clothing and tromp around like a pirate, I have people out there who will do the same with me. It's all about what brings you joy in your life because life is too short to squander it.
The storyline is fed to you through the songs as much as it is through the spoken parts. I believe this falls under the "jukebox musical" category because the music is just as important as the rest of the film. You are introduced to the main couple of the film in "Dammit, Janet" when they first get engaged and decide to visit a friendly professor who taught the class where they first met. It's fun to see Frankie, Riff Raff and Magenta as the church people, looking drab and dreary. Such a contrast to the characters they portray later in the film! The sweet song is one of the few you get in this film that's light and carefree in a "wholesome" way. They journey through a rainstorm and wind up with the car getting a flat and needing to find a phone. The closest house is the Frankenstein estate, so they make their way towards the light of the home. They arrive to find that the estate is hosting a party of a most unusual kind. The "Annual Transylvanian Convention" is underway and the party-goers are having a blast doing the "Time Warp." This song is one of the most well known songs of this film. Even if you don't know any other song from this, there's a strong chance you know this song and have done the "pelvic thrust" at least once. Riff Raff, Magenta and Columbia are all given some time to sing and you get to know their characters a bit more. As the song closes out, Brad tries to break the ice with the conventionalists before the legend, himself, descends onto the scene.
This is when Dr. Frank N Furter arrives and introduces himself as a "Sweet Transvestite from Transexual, Transylvania." His entrance onto the screen is done with the best kind of antici...............pation! He explodes into song and shocks the uptight couple with his dramatic appearance and scant clothing. This song is one of the most iconic songs in this film and seeing Tim Curry in a corset, fishnet thigh highs and heels can make a lot of people question their sexuality. Of course, I think it's more like reveal their underlying desires that they may have never even considered, but that could just be me. He has balanced feminine clothing with masculine strength in the most perfect way that blurs the lines between male and female. With all of the events happening now with gender equality and transexual rights, this film shows that all of these issues aren't a new thing. They've only just been brought out into the light so that they can be addressed properly. It also shows that what you like to wear doesn't dictate your sexual orientation and what kind of person you are underneath. Frankie likes to push at boundaries to encourage people to give in to their desires and he really pushes at the couple's modest mentalities with this song. At one point, Janet even faints because she's so shocked! As the song comes to an end, the couple are invited to stay for the night and to participate in Frank's experiment. He's built a muscled man and is ready to bring him to life, which is also the pinnacle of the convention he's holding.
I don't want to break down every scene, but the first two scenes in the Frankenstein mansion are such important scenes to show that Dorothy wasn't in Kansas anymore. There are a number of people who miss the underlying story because of the shocking nature of the film itself. Frank, Riff Raff and Magenta are all from another planet, Transexual, in the galaxy of Transylvania and they've come to this world to study it and push the boundaries of science, but Frank gets distracted from the mission. In "Rose Tint My World," Rocky describes the first time that he watched Faye Wray wearing a satin dress that draped across her frame, making him realize that he wanted to dress the same. This is the moment that kickstarts his deviation from his mission and starts exploring all the pleasures our world had to offer. His unfettered desire called to others like a beacon. It was contagious in a way because he made it seem so normal to accept all that you desired as a natural thing that should be celebrated. Brad, Janet, Columbia and Rocky all participate in this song as part of a stage show where each shares how Frankie has changed their lives, expanded their minds, increased their self-esteem and showed them how to feel sexy. On a side note, it's like you put anyone in heels and fishnets and you get sexy legs. Of course Brad and Rocky looked amazing in those items because they had long, muscular legs. When you see the wheel chair bound older Dr. Scott in them as well, even his legs look amazing! Who wouldn't feel sexy like that? It's something that people have been oppressed about for ages, especially women. It's like having self-esteem and knowing your worth was seen as being "stuck up" or "full of yourself." There is a line where that can be true, but basic self esteem and self worth should be something that everyone has with no judgement from other people for it.
In the end, it is decided that they are going to return to their home planet and Frank isn't going to be joining them. They also deem that he can't be left on this planet for fear of what he would do to society if allowed to remain. It's kind of heart breaking, but they soften it with music and lightening the mood somewhat so it doesn't feel as heavy. Brad, Janet and Dr. Scott are allowed to leave the estate before the entire building is transported back to their home world, but you know they'll never be the same after going through their very interesting detour from what was supposed to be a very mundane visit to an old friend. It's such a bold movie that can shift your perception of life and encourage you to seek out the things that bring you joy. Follow your heart and don't let society tell you that it's not allowed. On a side note that I shouldn't have to mention, but I will on the off chance that someone thinks I'm giving them carte blanche, is that you shouldn't follow a desire that causes another to be hurt. Pleasure found with other people should always be consensual on both sides.
This brings my month of celebrating Tim Curry to an end. I hope that my posts have reminded you of some roles you may have forgotten about or introduced you to roles you may have never heard of. He truly is a brilliant and charismatic actor who lights up any screen he's on. Stay tuned for my next month where I delve into cult favorite films!
For more movie love, check out my other blog, "How Have You Never Seen That?!"
