What once shone brightly has now dimmed

The Rocky Horror Picture Show was first released in 1975 to both critical and audience acclaim.

In keeping with the yearly tradition, the Halloween cult film was screened at Waterloo’s Princess Cinema over the weekend, attracting a full house.

Since 1975, it seems as if the bizarre character and edgy subject matter have transcended a different set of values to become obnoxious and blaring in today’s society.

The humourous and charismatic man (or possibly woman,) who runs the show in this raunchy horror musical is Tim Curry, better known in the film as Doctor Frank-N-Furter.

Frank-N-Furter owns a small and mysterious mansion situated in a secluded part of the countryside. Unfortunately, the car of a recently engaged couple breaks down with a flat tire nearby, resulting in the couple’s decision to drop in to the mansion for help after deeming themselves too lost and too exhausted to find their own solution to the problem.

The main shortcoming of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is that it’s irrevelant in today’s society. The 70s were defined by an overwhelming sentiment of youth dependence where many young adults had feelings of ambiguity that constituted in an inherent need to delve into contemporary issues like sexuality and gender roles.

Although the subject matter is still important for discussion, it is not as contentious topic as others that we face.

In an age characterized by self-promotion, people feel obligated to share egotistical aspects of their lives with others through social media to garner a sense of personal reassurance.

It is evident that The Rocky Horror Picture Show cult may still survive, as illustrated by the die-hard fans that dressed up as characters in the film and filled the theatre.

It seems that some may still derive enjoyment from the film’s flamboyance and charm, but the movie is bogged down by humour that no longer piques the audience’s interest and wit that is unsustainable regardless of how many times Tim Curry may declare in song that he’s “just a sweet transvestite.”

Disappointingly, jokes that may have once garnered a terrific applause now only manage the minor reception of a dull murmur.