Michael lee taylor

Originally written 3/11/2021

Screening report

Little shop of horrors

Little shop of horrors is a musical that deals with economic, feminist and
philisophical issues through the lens and drapings of a b list horror movie which it
draws a good amount of inspiration from. This inspiration can be seen in the
setting, a cheap, almost painfully obvious converted studio space with new areas
being painted backdrops. All of this helps create a wonderfully cheap look so that
it seems more like an actual stage play than a movie. A balance that can be hard
to achieve in movies trying to achieve that “so bad it's good” feeling.
The story revolves around a 20 something nobody named Seymour. A
botanical fan whom works under his adoptive father mr. Mushnik who treats him
more indentured serf then actual kin along with his seemingly unrequited love
interest Audrey. Given their placement in the aptly named skid row, a slum,
they're all on the verge of bankruptcy. All aside from Audrey who is able to
survive a bit better due to her current (abusive) boyfriend.
Though this all changes given the total eclipse of the sun about a week
ago, our main character finds an interesting plant. One that seems so charismatic
that it's literally dragging customers off the streets. Thus a boom in business
occurs, droves of rich floral enthusiasts, death plagued massive families and
romantic husbands are flooding the store! All due to this odd plant.
That same night, Seymour is met with the grim realization that this plant
feeds on human blood, without which, it will wilt and die regardless of seymours
green thumb and wealth of knowledge. The movie then revolves around the
choices he has to make in his pursuit of love and wealth in less than equal parts.
The puppetry in this movie is second to none, the audrey two plant movies
around with excellent expressive motions, with full emotive massive lips and
interchangeable bulbs for scene cuts to express whatever the singing bulb cant.
The vines move a bit jerkily but it still works fantastically for the time it was made,
moving less like string held tentacles but like robotics. The bulb used for singing
expertly matches its singer's vocals which leads me to my next subject.
The songs in this movie string through multiple tones and speeds, the first
song a tongue in cheek dark humor opener, with our three main singers almost
sarcastically warning the unsuspecting townies below of the doom that waits just
inside. This leads on after a brief scene to one of my favorites “Skid Row
downtown”. A song that perfectly carries low sadness notes the idea of being
“tired”. Tired of coming back from a job that seems to bleed you dry.
Tired of being berated by men and women who see themselves as your
superior because of your menial work. Tired of having to work jobs that demean
you with disgusting tasks such as cleaning up the bathrooms of whatever lies
inside.
The song then picks up with an almost sarcastic indignation with its swell
and vocals then drops back down again during Seymours solo, the visuals
showing that they're not at rock bottom, but they are as close as one can safely
be…
As was taught in class, musicals were supposed to be a utopian capitalist
society filled with energy and excitement for each new day. Here this musical
rivels in the reality of it. It wallows with those that are forced to uphold the
system. The choreography is little more than foot taps to show the LACK of
energy each character has at the end of the day.
This leads to the movie's symbolism, mostly the idea of abusive
relationships. Audreys abusive relationship to the dentist is the most classical
and most obvious one. You can see it, you can hear it. The way he demeans her,
hits her, makes her feel worthless. It makes you actively root against him. Yet she
stays because she thinks it's earned through past actions. Then we see
Seymours relationship to Mushnik.
It's the same breed of evil, he puts him down, demeans him, convinces him
that the only thing he's worth is working for him for scraps. The two can see the
abuse they get but they both think it's earned. They both think the other should
do something about it. Pot meets kettle.
Then we see the movie introduce a new abusive element to the movie.
Audrey two. A plant that literally sucks the life out of Seymour on the promise that
it's going to bring him something worth it for the effort. Then sucks the morality
out of him by forcing him to kill in order to maintain his new source of self
esteem. Seymour is placed in the position of Audrey in these scenes. His
emotions are manipulated, his self esteem tied to something tangible that can
only be provided by this one thing then hurt when he's unable to do something.
The movie and plant convinces the world that Seymour is only great
because of his riches and fame. The plant then convinces Seymour that those
riches are tied directly to its wellbeing. Emotional abuse is threatening to take
away someone's support system.
 Seymour then starts to fall into this cycle, using the fact that Audrey is in
love with him to convince her to run away with her. To uproot her life to start a
new one. And though her secondary reaction is overjoyed, her initial reaction is
telling. She has tied her self worth to what Seymour thinks of her and Seymour
has done the same.
Overall this movie is truly a cult classic that i can't help but recommend to
everyone. It's a hilarious movie with its own brand of wit and charm infused with
unmistakable talent from all of its actors and supporting roles.