Alliance Entertainment
Last year saw the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show celebrate its 50th anniversary, and being the longest running theatrical release of all time, which also has a stage play still touring the world, is certainly cause for celebration.
Helmed by Linus O’Brien – son of the musical’s creator Richard O’Brien – Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror takes a retrospective look at the creation of the musical and film in their own right, reflecting on both the lives and motivations of its creator, cast and other creatives integral to shocking the phenomenon to life.
In addition, the film chronicles how the senior O’Brien’s vision created something that has been a cornerstone of self-discovery and self-expression since its inception.
Oftentimes, documentaries about pop culture milestones can end up becoming dull and self-aggrandizing slop that merely repeats trivia already known to its target audience without offering any sincere insight into the inner workings of their subject, however, while Strange Journey: The Rocky Horror Story still hits familiar beats of the documentary formula, not only do the new interviews offer a fond reunion with familiar faces, it also allows them to reflect on their part in something that has come to mean so much for so many.
This is particularly the case for O’Brien himself, as he is not only the main focus of the piece, there is also a sincere openness and vulnerability to his reflections on both his art as well as his life and identity, something that perhaps would not have been possible to capture as candidly had the documentary been directed by anyone other than his own son.
Similarly, the focus on the importance of Rocky Horror not only in terms of the memories and reflections of its key players, but also the impact it has had on the personal and professional lives of a myriad of people, and how the phenomenon continues to be an important gateway for so many to find their true selves when they do not fit within the rigid framework set forward by societal norms, something people will perpetually rebel against.
Obsessive as Rocky Horror fans by definition are, much of the trivia presented in Strange Journey: The Rocky Horror Story will be known to the pre-existing fanbase, but the documentary offers existing fans an opportunity to catch up with the people behind the beloved cult classic where they are now, just as it allows newcomers a priceless insight into what makes Rocky Horror so special, and why it is an enduring cult classic.
Verdict: 8 out of 10.
