Faye (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
said_scarlett) wrote2004-06-21 09:37 am
said_scarlett) wrote2004-06-21 09:37 am
I Still Love You, In My Own Way
I watched Shock Treatment last night. It is, I have decided, one of my all time favorite movies. I know that a lot of people who watch it think it's stupid, it's campy, and it's not up to Richard O'brien's usual standards.
And let me state right now, I am a huge Rocky Horror fan. That movie affected me deeply and really had an impact on me, weird as a lot of you may think that sounds. I lve Richard O'brien, and I think he's a brilliant man. Shock Treatment is considered the worst thing he's ever done.
I beg to differ. I, personally, think it's a very deep piece. Why?
Shock Treatment, if you ask me, is a very well done look at the power of the media, the corruption of fame, the human psyche, conformity, and the herd mentality.
The entire movie takes place in a studio soundstage. The towns people live their lives around the television. Their entire existence is dictated and controlled by what they see on television. A TV host has the power to send Brad to a mental home (which is, of course, another television series as well.) It's pointing out how damn controlled people allow themselves to be by the media.
Why is Brad really sent away? There's the plot reason (Farley wants him out of the way to have a clear shot at Janet) and there's the other reason that's not so clear. The reason they're actually able to do it. Brad refuses to conform. We see this during the Denton Anthem, when he's out of sync with everyone else, and again when he refuses to go on Marriage Maze. Brad isn't like everyone else. They don't like this. Betty and Oliver are canned, because they express dislike of the tv phenomena.
We get our usual dose of 'How the American Middle Class Man Views Homosexuality'. It's tongue in cheek, and obviously Richard O'brien just poking fun at bible thumpers and the like.
Then we have Janet. Janet is a simple, humble girl at first. Then she gets her taste of fame, and it goes straight to her head. She's a phenomenon. She shoots to fame literally overnight, with the help of the Mckinleys and Burt. They turn her into a sensation, ala Marilyn Monroe. This girl that everyone knew, is all of a sudden revered as a goddess. And she eats it up. Her ego shoots, she forgets all about the original reason for this-to help Brad-and becomes consumed with being better, bigger, the best.
At the end, Janet is shook out of her daze by Brad, when the truth is revealed. (And I must say that Cliff De Young is awesome, for being able to sing a duet with himself.) The bright light of stardom is burst, right in front of the audience, and the truth of all comes to light. But it doesn't matter to the masses. They're easily swayed back, and accept Macy instead of Janet, and follow the silver tongued ring master Farley into a mental home 'for their own' good. Even the police officer abandons his post to follow Farley the Piper and his Denton rats off to Dentonvale.
The only ones who are spared are Brad, Janet, Betty, Oliver and the band. The closing song is, in my opinion, about individuality, rather than the obvious meaning of sex. 'We're going to do it, no matter how the wind is blowing'. No matter what is the norm, what's popular, we're going to do our own things. And the ending is simply perfect.
"The sun never sets on those who ride into it".
The whole movie is about discovering one's self, being true to one's self, and accepting one's self. With all the quirkyness, mad cap hilarity, music and smut that Richard O'brien is known for. Plus a spoonful of incest, as always.
Anyway, that's my take on the movie. And I love the music. 'Bitchin' in the Kitchen' and 'Looking for Trade' most especially. Bitchin in the Kitchen is a damn good take on marriage and relationships. And 'Looking For Trade' is just a well done song.
I remember there were rumors about an actual sequel to Rocky Horror, a few years back. I have to see if there's any further info on that.
And let me state right now, I am a huge Rocky Horror fan. That movie affected me deeply and really had an impact on me, weird as a lot of you may think that sounds. I lve Richard O'brien, and I think he's a brilliant man. Shock Treatment is considered the worst thing he's ever done.
I beg to differ. I, personally, think it's a very deep piece. Why?
Shock Treatment, if you ask me, is a very well done look at the power of the media, the corruption of fame, the human psyche, conformity, and the herd mentality.
The entire movie takes place in a studio soundstage. The towns people live their lives around the television. Their entire existence is dictated and controlled by what they see on television. A TV host has the power to send Brad to a mental home (which is, of course, another television series as well.) It's pointing out how damn controlled people allow themselves to be by the media.
Why is Brad really sent away? There's the plot reason (Farley wants him out of the way to have a clear shot at Janet) and there's the other reason that's not so clear. The reason they're actually able to do it. Brad refuses to conform. We see this during the Denton Anthem, when he's out of sync with everyone else, and again when he refuses to go on Marriage Maze. Brad isn't like everyone else. They don't like this. Betty and Oliver are canned, because they express dislike of the tv phenomena.
We get our usual dose of 'How the American Middle Class Man Views Homosexuality'. It's tongue in cheek, and obviously Richard O'brien just poking fun at bible thumpers and the like.
Then we have Janet. Janet is a simple, humble girl at first. Then she gets her taste of fame, and it goes straight to her head. She's a phenomenon. She shoots to fame literally overnight, with the help of the Mckinleys and Burt. They turn her into a sensation, ala Marilyn Monroe. This girl that everyone knew, is all of a sudden revered as a goddess. And she eats it up. Her ego shoots, she forgets all about the original reason for this-to help Brad-and becomes consumed with being better, bigger, the best.
At the end, Janet is shook out of her daze by Brad, when the truth is revealed. (And I must say that Cliff De Young is awesome, for being able to sing a duet with himself.) The bright light of stardom is burst, right in front of the audience, and the truth of all comes to light. But it doesn't matter to the masses. They're easily swayed back, and accept Macy instead of Janet, and follow the silver tongued ring master Farley into a mental home 'for their own' good. Even the police officer abandons his post to follow Farley the Piper and his Denton rats off to Dentonvale.
The only ones who are spared are Brad, Janet, Betty, Oliver and the band. The closing song is, in my opinion, about individuality, rather than the obvious meaning of sex. 'We're going to do it, no matter how the wind is blowing'. No matter what is the norm, what's popular, we're going to do our own things. And the ending is simply perfect.
"The sun never sets on those who ride into it".
The whole movie is about discovering one's self, being true to one's self, and accepting one's self. With all the quirkyness, mad cap hilarity, music and smut that Richard O'brien is known for. Plus a spoonful of incest, as always.
Anyway, that's my take on the movie. And I love the music. 'Bitchin' in the Kitchen' and 'Looking for Trade' most especially. Bitchin in the Kitchen is a damn good take on marriage and relationships. And 'Looking For Trade' is just a well done song.
I remember there were rumors about an actual sequel to Rocky Horror, a few years back. I have to see if there's any further info on that.
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Love your icon, by the way. :)
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Thank you!
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*listens to RHPS soundtrack...loudly*
*puts Shock Treatment on list to buy/borrow/steal*
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