West Side Story
I have a blurry memory watching the 1961 version of West Side Story, bored in a high school theater class. So, I went into Steven Spielberg’s adaptation without any real biases.
The cinematography is beautiful in this film, choreography is fresh & emotionally alive, and the production and costume design added texture, & depth to the environment bringing us into the world of 1957 New York City. As an ensemble everyone held their own, and could sing. Standouts to me were Mike Faist who plays Riff, leader of the Jets gang, and Ariana DeBose who plays Anita, girlfriend to Bernardo (David Alvarez), leader of the Puerto Rican gang, the Sharks.
Overall, the film was just ok due to me not buying the love story between Tony (Ansel Elgort) & Maria (Rachel Zegler), which is the backbone of the film because it is driving the conflict. Basically, it's a modern retelling of Romeo & Juliet, which was a major letdown due to how tired that narrative trope is. Tony is a former gang member of the Jets recently released from prison for almost killing someone in a fight. Maria is the sister of Bernardo. Tony and Maria meet at a neighborhood dance. Seeing one another for the first time across the gym, it is love at first sight, and the two meet secretly behind the bleachers. The following scene is Tony walking through Manhattan and ending up outside Maria’s window where the two profess their love for one another.
Meanwhile Riff and Bernardo confirm when, where, and the rules for their upcoming rumble to settle the turf war between the two gangs.
The rivalry between the Sharks and Jets for being a musical is gritty making it grounded and realistic. The love story naturally is in juxtaposition to the turf war between the two gangs. However, it becomes a fairy tale, and in order for me to deeply care about the devastating consequences of the rumble the love story needed to be grounded.
Thematically the film connects with the division we are experiencing in the US right now amongst the left and right, the racist and xenophobic arguments regarding immigration, and the fear that neighborhoods are being taken over by the other.
West Side Story is now playing on HBO Max.