"Cult Movie" Ambivalence -- Rocky Horror Picture Show

[VickySGV]

II am on the Board Of Directors for my local LGBTQ Community Center and last night they had a special event, which was a celebration of the release of the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show.  Since I was providing the audio gear and hook ups for lights and the projector, I got stuck having to watch the movie.  This morning I am still trying to figure out what my feelings about it were.  I know some  people in the Trans Community have philosophical problems with the central character, a space alien named Frank N Furter, who is a Transvestite from Transylvania on the Planet Transsexual.  While the self identification of the character is a bit jarring it was so far removed from the actual Trans experience that other than the words it did not offend me, and it did have some almost good choreography around Drag song and dance numbers.  I almost felt bad when Frank N Furter got killed off at the end by his house servants who then sent the whole house to their home planet. This version was not the most recent re-make.  I am in a place of high ambivalence this morning.  Luckily tonight is the Trans Support group meeting, but none of them were at the movie. 

 

Have any of you seen the movie?  What did you think of it?

[Jani]

I've seen it and apparently I'm in the minority here because I enjoyed it.  To be clear I do not focus on the "Trans-ness" presented but in the music, costumes and campy story.  

 

Jani

[tracy_j]

The last time I watched this was a stage version at our local theatre, many years ago. In some ways I was in two minds as I loved the music and action but the trans angle did make me cringe a little. I think on the whole though I am happy with it as it is fantasy and does not relate to me. I think I may have had inner fears as to being compared, even in those days when I was effectively male. I never really felt it, so was afraid of being recognised. Now, by and large, it's just funny.

 

Tracy

[VickySGV]

7 hours ago, tracy_j said:

I think on the whole though I am happy with it as it is fantasy and does not relate to me.

 

I have actually arrived at that point by now with it.