Considering the success of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, I’m surprised that this film didn’t have more of a cult following. It has many memorable and outrageous characters.

This was one of the first “grown-up” comedies that I saw, and my very first musical, so it has a special place in my heart, and is still one of my favourite movies in both categories (though I can only think of two other musicals I’ve seen).

The songs are catchy, and a few of them go on unexpected tangents. Subtle jokes I didn’t get as a kid made me laugh out loud when I watched it again as an adult.

There’s a strong message in this movie about self-worth, and the way that people perceive themselves vs. the way others perceive them, and how far people are willing to go to become “somebody.” This movie might also have something to do with my perception of
dentists.

Rick Moranis plays the typical, unassuming nice guy. The kind of role that today would’ve gone to Michael Cera. Ellen Greene plays the love interest, and I’ve never seen a female character with such a high voice. With that voice, the innocent personality and the revealing outfits she’s like a living anime girl. You also get to see Tisha Campbell pre-Martin.

Parents should be cautioned about occasional foul language, and a few occurances of profanity. Sexuality is limited to Audrey’s cleavage, which doesn’t sound like a big deal until you’ve seen it. Also the morality of the characters gets kinda grey when it comes to
murder, or whether or not to let someone die, so if your kids watch it you’ll want to talk to them about that stuff.

The villain’s song at the end is particularly entertaining. It’s the kind of song a street rapper would sing about himself, if the street rapper were a broadway-loving flower from outer space.

I learned through the DVD documentaries that the whole concept began with Roger Corman wanting to prove that it was possible to make an entire film in two days, which became the original black-and-white film of 1960. That film went on to become a broadway musical, which the 1987 film is based on. Talk about humble beginnings. It just proves you never know where your ideas are gonna go.