"Little Shop of Horrors(1986)" - 02/16/03 - 02/22/03

[Morticia]

This is a thread to discuss the technical and/or thematic merits of "Little Shop of Horrors (1986)".

The purpose being to foster intelligent discussion of films without resorting to "It's a piece of crap." or "It's the greatest film ever." (And so that we all can gain a bit of a film education from everyone.)

We'll discuss a new film each week. Either slade or I will post the film in this forum in advance, and lock the topic until the first day of discussion.

Thanks everyone. We are open to any ideas about running this forum.

****SPOILER WARNING**** of course this entire thread is going to be full of spoilers.

[SilentBob]

Yeah the thread is open. Funny thing was when the poll was created i voted for this and Pink Floyd's The Wall. That very night both movies happen to play on tv so they are both pretty fresh in my mind.



I must say once again that Frank Oz is an underated director. Many think of him as 'that guy who does Yoda" or 'does that muppet guy on tv" But he has a great eye with the camera. I don't know if the Audrey II plant help him feel more at home with his puppeteering work but he knew what he wanted and it seemed to work on film.

I grew up knowing Mr. Moranis as the father form the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids movies but never realized he had a pretty good singing voice. I had never seen the film until about 4-5 years ago and has grown to be a fav of my lately. Some great cameos appear in the film. Got to love My. Martin and Mr. Murray in the dental office, but lets talk about the movie and music now.


I love the music of the film. I do believe this was my first movie musical i had ever seen. It has grown on me too (Moulin Rouge and Chicago) The music is sometimes scruffy and almost sounded dirty (not sexually but atmosphere wise) It had those back up singers who brought that street life too the movie and the tough area that everyone was growing up/living in. With the introduction of Audrey II plant the songs seem happier and more upbeat as non of the street people are heard in song. But the happiness seems to grow into something else. . . . a little strange. Take for example Steve Martin and his Dentist song. He is extremely happy but is always acting happy in a strange (i've grown addicted to laughing gas) sort of way. Then we have Audrey II finally speaking and is the happiest thing around as its a)centre of attention b)getting everything its way and c)singing (its a plant so another starnge happy song/music) But things tend to get weirder and darker.

Audrey and Seymour finally learn that death can be good. Her abusive dentist boyfriend is dead but has learned that Seymour is her man. Its dark that happiness had to be found in someone's death, but its also that glimmer of hope they have never had in their troubling lives. As downtown acted like Purgatory for them. They were never trully happy but they were never being tortured for their past. In the song of Skid Row itself they refer to God(Heaven) and Hell as they too don't know where they belong.

After his boss is eaten by Audrey II he once again finds himself in a purgatory. People are happy for him as this amazing plant grower but Seymour knows it had a severe cost and doesn't belong as a higher being in the plant world(almost heaven). Yet he knows he has worked his ass off and doesn't belong on the streets of Skid Row(hell) Yet his love for Audrey grows stronger and so does her love as well, but he is still stuck to walk the earth not knowing where he belongs/fits in. But again happiness was found in death and Seymour finally knows what he has to do.

His love started with Audrey (his girl and the plants) If he wanted his love and life to grow with Audrey then Audrey II had to go. The music once again becomes darker/harder and hurtful as if someone is being killed in song right there. The beat is faster and works like a heart. Tension and nerves build up for a final showdown of heaven and hell to see where Seymour belongs oince he gets out of Skid Row (Purgatory) Seymour eventually destroys Audrey II and his Love and Audrey's love grow so strong that it conker all. They get out of Skid Row and find peace (heaven) as they find that little house with the picket fence and everything is clean and almost perfect.

But another Audrey plant is found growing in the garden as they roll to credits. Maybe that other musical is right.

"Without evil there would be no good. So it must be good to be evil sometimes"




(sorry if some/most of the above seems to ramble on about nothing.)

[kimfair]

I've always loved this film, and the play it was based on. I was lucky enough to see the play in NYC with Elllen Greene (the Audrey in the movie), and WOW! what a singing voice, especially on Somewhere That's Green. I also had the luck to see a friends copy of the DVD with the original ending, which was the similar to the plays ending. Audrey gets eaten, the plants take over the world! The black and white footage was a bit rough, but I loved the stop motion plants attacking NYC! Frank Oz, said he preffered the original ending, but that audiences really disliked the "downer" ending of having the female protagonist die. I guess when you see a play, even if the characters die, they come back after the show to do their curtain call, but in the movies, well, they're just dead! I wish that they would release the DVD again with a color version of the original ending (you know it's out there somewhere!).

[Silentrascal]

I recently was able to purchase the first release edition on DVD of "Little Shop of Horrors" with Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Steve Martin, etc..etc..etc.. This is the DVD that was quickly recalled because Geffen didn't want the original ending including as an extra. My question is in regards to actually watching the alternate ending. I know I have the correct version because it says so on the box and my copy still had the original seal on it. When I go into the "Special Features" area of the disc, I don't see quite how to go about playing the original ending. Does anyone else have this disc and can let me know what I need to do to view it? I'd appreciate it.

[Morticia]

Silentrascal:

Welcome to the Forum, and thanks for posting.

However, I think your question is better suited for Software. I respectfully suggest you re-post it there.

Film Class is for discussing merits/weaknesses of films.

Thanks.

[beatleboy]

this is not a great film by any means, but it does have a
certain 'charm about it. The casting is perfect, and the sets
are exremely eye-catching. The singing by Rick moranis is
adequate and Ellen Green is superb, but Bill Murray &
Steve Martin steal this film along with Levi Stubbs.