Little Shop of Horrors

Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Frank Oz and released in 1986, takes viewers on a whimsical and dark journey into a world where the unreal blossoms with life. With a talented cast of Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, and Vincent Gardenia, the film is a horror comedy that blends elements of musical theatre with unmistakable dollops of surrealism and dark humor.

The film is set against the dystopian backdrop of Skid Row, where our protagonist, Seymour Krelborn (Rick Moranis) works in a languishing flower shop run by Mr. Mushnik (Vincent Gardenia). Seymour, a meek florist, is secretly in love with Audrey (Ellen Greene), his co-worker, who sadly happens to be in an abusive relationship, making her Seymour's forbidden desire. The daily vicissitudes of poverty, unrequited love, and a grim financial outlook are unrelenting companions in Seymour's seemingly dreary life.

Everything changes in Seymour's world one fateful day. After a strange total eclipse of the sun, Seymour stumbles upon a strange and unusual plant that he affectionately names "Audrey II", in homage to his love interest. This exotic plant might just be the ticket to saving Mushnik's failing flower shop. As intrigue and buzz surrounding this strange plant start to grow, so do the shop's fortunes. The once down-and-out flower shop suddenly becomes a bustling local attraction, drawing crowds eager to see the peculiarly alien plant known as Audrey II.

Audrey II is not your garden-variety potted plant, however. It has a dark secret; a monstrous personality indescribably hidden in its emerald foliage. Without delving into spoiler territory, it's enough to say that Audrey II has certain... dietary needs that are more carnivorous than one might expect.

However, Seymour remains oblivious to the plant's veiled machinations for quite some time, instead, he is caught up in the whirlwind of fame and success that Audrey II brings. Soon enough though, he’s faced with a deeply disturbing realization that propels the story into a spiral of dark comedies and horrors that are as perplexing as they are thrilling.

Rick Moranis brings an authentic charm to Seymour, the shy hero you love to cheer for. Ellen Greene, reprising her role from the original Broadway production, provides a heartbreaking portrayal of the equally timid Audrey, whose dream of escaping to a suburban utopia is eclipsed by her reality. The chemistry between Moranis and Greene is one of the highlights of the film, providing it with its heartfelt center.

Vincent Gardenia plays the stereotypically gruff shop owner, Mr. Mushnik, out to make a quick buck anyway he can. His bellicose attitude offers a contrast to the timid Seymour, providing consistent laughs throughout the movie.

The true scene-stealer, however, might be Audrey II, a puppet created by the Henson Creature Shop. Its grotesquely refreshing look and uncanny behavior bring an unpredictable energy to each scene, making it an unforgettable character in its own right.

The film’s musical sequences deserve special mention. Little Shop of Horrors is largely a filmic opera, featuring original songs by the acclaimed composer, Alan Menken and lyricist, Howard Ashman. From sorrowful melodic undertones to lighthearted doo-wop tunes, each piece serves both to reinforce the drama of the situation and to push the narrative forward. The balance between comedy and horror is never lost in these musical sequences, making them an intrinsic part of the film’s identity.

Little Shop of Horrors seamlessly incorporates an alien plant into the life of an average florist, to an extent that it never feels out of place. This eccentric yet engaging concept ingeniously mixes comedy with horror, further enhanced by a beautifully melancholic and dark dystopian setting.

Blending thrilling horror, pitch-black comedy, and soaring musical numbers, Little Shop of Horrors offers a unique and memorable cinematic experience. It's a film that isn’t afraid of its dark humor and thrives in its musical predilections. The mish-mash of genres might not be to everyone's taste, but for those who dare to taste the peculiar, Little Shop of Horrors could just hit the right note. Its outlandish premise and eccentric characters provide a perfect groundwork for experiencing a strange but universally relatable emotional journey. Rest assured, this film does more than entertain; it shocks, delights, and pulls on the heartstrings, offering the perfect mix for a fun, memorable, and ultimately introspective viewing experience.