An Evening with Richard O’Brien (2008) - Biography Interview Film Review

By Melissa Antoinette Garza

With Halloween fast approaching, I know I should be reviewing horror movies. Generally around this time, that’s what I delve into. I have reviewed quite a few of them, but in all honesty, I’d much rather be spending an evening with Richard O’Brien. Of course, what I mean is that I’d rather be watching the interview, AN EVENING WITH RICHARD O’BRIEN (2008). Yeah, that’s what I meant.

This biographical film is just under 45 minutes, but they make use of every second. It’s filled with amazing anecdotes, philosophical wonder, excellent music and the life history of the most dynamic and splendid individual ever to grace the planet.

Throughout, Richard O’Brien is interviewed by Mark Sainsbury, who is clearly a genuine fan as interested in O’Brien’s life as those watching.

One of the most compelling stories begins with O’Brien explaining that Dr. Frankenfurter’s unapologetic sexiness as a transvestite, was a way for him to come to terms with being transgender. O’Brien earnestly and bravely explains his journey and the mental consequences endured as someone trans.

The story that hits me the hardest is how, at the age of 6, he told his brother that he wanted to be a fairy princess. The disapproval was immediate and O’Brien with such genuineness and vulnerability talks about the mental prison that put him in.

The reason this cuts so deep is that Richard O’Brien was the first person to make me feel comfortable in my own skin. Prior to seeing ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975), I hated myself. I knew I was different than everyone around me. Everyone made sure I knew how different I was. I wanted to die on a daily basis, and I was 11. Watching that movie changed my life instantaneously, and saved it countless times thereafter. I needed something fun, crazy and beautiful and RHPS was my salvation. I’m not a rare case. You can go to any RHPS forum and there are thousands of other stories exactly the same. To think that the one individual, who freed so many others from mental prisons, was forced into one hurts on a deep level. If I had a time machine, I’d go back to when he was 6 and buy him the greatest fairy princess costume of all time.

O’Brien doesn’t shy away from diving deep into the vitriolic misogyny that causes so much pain for women and the transgender community. He talks about how someone would question him for wearing a frock in public. I hate that nonsense so much. Putting aside all of my fantasies of O’Brien wearing (and subsequently taking off) a frock, no one is ever in any position to tell O’Brien what to wear. No one should tell anyone what to wear, but especially Richard O’Brien. He is a fashion God who dazzles in every garment. For those wanting evidence, we’re provided some very arousing proof later when he arrives in a spaghetti-strapped, orange and white number. The beautiful dress accentuates so much of his lovely and sensual body.

The conversation then shifts to some religious homophobic group, who put up posters to protest the beautiful statue of Richard O’Brien on Victoria Street in Hamilton, New Zealand. This was only 10 years ago! I hate to think people exist that have this backwards mindset, but I sadly know they do. O’Brien, being just the best person ever, finds some humor in the idiocy and handles it amazingly well. He does call it out for the complete and utter bullshit that it is and that’s one more reason that I love him so dearly. With logic, a hilarious biblical comparison and his remarkable wit, he tears the paranoid and hateful bunch into pieces. He destroys their attempt at an argument in the sexiest and most badass of ways. This is one of the many reasons that I say that I would love to live in a world owned and operated by Richard O’Brien. To think of a world that loving and accepting is enough to put a smile on my face.

There are so many wonderful things discussed. One of my faves is regarding how when people are awkward about him buying shoes, he purposefully turns the encounters into positive ones. O’Brien would be completely entitled to get pissed off at a shoe-salesman that reacted negatively at his desire to buy heels. Instead, he’s so gracious and beautiful about the whole thing. He makes it a point to win the people over with talks of parties and fun.

O’Brien then talks about being young in Hamilton, leaving school at 15 and being sent to a reform farm. The story is both fascinating and provides an even deeper insight into his resilience and strength.

He tells captivating tales of his early theater days. His love of the art is awe-inspiring as he summons feelings of happiness and wholeness in the viewer. He paints such vivid pictures of the events that he conjures up images in the mind, and they almost play out like a movie. He’s just a wonderful storyteller and I adore that he allowed us glimpses into his amazing life and world.

He talks of his children, their acceptance and love, his parental manner and the difficulties that his children faced having a transgender parent. He never hides from discussing the topics others won’t touch. He’s the kind of person that if I were a parent, I’d want my child to look up to. I would show them this interview as it gives wonderful insight into the real-life ramifications of an oppressive and bullying society. O’Brien also graciously breaks it down in a way that everyone, even children at elementary schools, can understand and sympathize with.

AN EVENING WITH RICHARD O’BRIEN should be shown in schools to teach acceptance and love of the LGBT community. Richard O’Brien evolves the human mind with his work, his actions and his music.

If the interview wasn’t perfect enough, he allows us to hear some of his musical magic. I’ve talked at length about what his singing does to me, when discussing ABSOLUTE O’BRIEN. To summarize, I melt and am in a magnificent state of bliss when I hear his voice. The only thing that is a more powerful aphrodisiac than Richard O’Brien’s existence is when he sings.

I highly suggest you track this baby down. It is currently in print and available via AMAZON on DVD.

Also, screw the nefarious producers and production companies that never paid Richard O’Brien his due. He made you 400 million dollars and you screwed him. You have no principles. You have no souls. I hate you guys.