‘Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror’ Review: An Affectionate, Personal Look at the Cult Movie Phenomenon

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In today’s era of swiftly evoked nostalgia, it becomes a significant concern for documentarians and oral historians to determine the appropriate timing for revisiting cherished subjects or properties.

Performing the task quickly will ensure more people can join, but with such a short time for them to consider or reflect on it, it essentially becomes like an immediate promotional video rather than a genuine production.

Working with outdated information would be similar to creating a shoebox diorama, as your primary resources won’t be accessible anymore. It would essentially amount to working with inaccurate or outdated information.

Viewing Linus O’Brien’s documentary, “Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror,” which is premiering from SXSW, my recurring thought was that – regardless of the film’s quality – it’s incredibly fortunate to have this analysis of the Rocky Horror phenomenon at this specific juncture in history.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” film, the production “Strange Journey” significantly gains from having O’Brien, the son of the creator of “The Rocky Horror Show,” Richard O’Brien. This connection provides access to archives, personal memories, and likely smoother interactions with a wide array of individuals connected to the property at various levels.

In this rephrased version:

The ages of Richard O’Brien (82), Jim Sharman (79), Tim Curry (78), and Lou Adler (91) are all highlighted, as they are all featured in the documentary titled “Strange Journey.” Additionally, musical director Richard Hartley, costume designer Sue Blane, and stars like Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Patricia Quinn, and even Peter Hinwood, who played Rocky and hasn’t acted since the ’70s, are also part of the documentary. Since it might not be easy to gather all these individuals together for discussion about “Rocky” and sharing their stories, fans will find a lot to appreciate in this documentary.

This unique chance could’ve been explored further by Linus O’Brien; I suspect he has many more tales and memories to share, possibly delving even deeper into the fanbase that transformed this property into arguably the most successful cult film ever. However, this is a well-organized and genuinely appreciative summary.

O’Brien has a strong foundation for his narrative, as he journeys back to his native New Zealand town alongside Richard O’Brien. This scenario is reminiscent of several documentaries featuring celebrities visiting their old neighborhoods, where they engage in heartwarming exchanges with residents who are taken aback by the return of the local hero. I always find these scenes endearing whenever I see them.

Later on, Richard guides his son through the early stages of his theater career and the origins of the first London production, frequently strumming heartfelt tunes from those memorable songs on an acoustic guitar. The stories about the creative collaboration born from the fast-paced theater run – initially just a sweetener to get Sharman to direct another play for the Royal Court – are endearing and spirited, leaving me yearning for Strange Journey to have a bit more casual charm.

It’s alright! What matters to O’Brien isn’t creating a documentary as eccentric as its topic, but rather paying tribute to something deeply meaningful to his family and a community of fans. This is evident in the more engaging interactions between Linus O’Brien and Richard when they converse informally like father and son, instead of formally as director and subject. A slightly more personal version of Strange Journey, perhaps 10% more so, might have been even better.

That, of course, does not mean that Strange Journey isn’t personal. Because of course it is.

In the documentary, Richard O’Brien expresses his long-standing feeling of not having a sense of belonging, as if he resided in a place where nobody truly belongs.

Linus shares discussions with his father about his claim of being “seventy percent male and thirty percent female,” and the film delves into debates surrounding this idea when it comes to portraying a transgender protagonist – to clarify, Dr. Frank-N-Furter is the central figure in this narrative. The documentary explores the challenges and opportunities of presenting such a character in the 1970s and how The Rocky Horror Picture Show has influenced culture for decades through its exploration of queer aesthetics, visibility, and celebration of identity. Initially considered too unconventional to succeed when it first flopped in 1975, the film has since played a significant part in fostering communities and influencing broader societal discussions, as several external analysts discuss in the documentary.

An additional documentary could certainly be created, focusing on the events that unfolded after the first midnight screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Waverly on April 1, 1976. This documentary would delve deeper into the traditions such as rice and toast throwing, devirginizing, and shadow casting associated with the film. It’s likely that such a documentary has already been made, given the film’s enduring popularity. Linus O’Brien dedicates approximately 20 minutes to this part of the story in his documentary, featuring lively footage and a heartfelt tribute to Sal Piro, one of the earliest and most influential superfans, who passed away in 2023.

Strange Journey lands at a time when its main narrative isn’t overshadowed by melancholy and reflections on mortality. At this point, Curry is energetic and full of vigor following his 2012 stroke, while the other major players convey vivid, lively recollections. A few significant figures have unfortunately passed away, but only Meat Loaf receives substantial acknowledgment in his absence.

Towards the conclusion of the documentary, Richard O’Brien muses that “Rocky Horror” has not been his property for quite some time now. Instead, he asserts, it belongs to the enthusiasts. He describes “Strange Journey” as a keepsake they will undoubtedly appreciate having.

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2025-03-11 20:25