Katherine Prentice
I was apprehensive about going to see this, as I loved the original and was a bit worried this would taint my fondness for it, but I was pleasantly surprised, and don’t think I stopped smiling for the first two acts.
Although I can picture students everywhere writing essays on its colour symbolism soon, West Side Story was both different and impactful enough from the original to make it a fantastic experience.
The whole film feels like an ode to the stage, but with the advantage of crane footage for some of the most breathtaking cinematography I’ve enjoyed in a while, thanks to Janusz Kamiński.
After Sondheim’s passing this year, it is nice to see his masterpieces respected, from his near godlike status in Tick, Tick…BOOM! to Spielberg’s gorgeous West Side Story.
“a calming presence in between the hustle and bustle of the musicals 1950s Manhattan.”
Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler are both excellent as Tony and Maria, as is Ariana DeBose as Anita, and I cannot wait to replay the soundtrack and watch their dancing over and over.
Rita Moreno, who played Anita in the 1961 version, returning to the story as Valentina was wonderful, such a fantastic actress and character, and a calming presence in between the hustle and bustle of the musicals 1950s Manhattan. And honestly, Spielberg’s range is just so impressive. How did this man also direct Jaws and Saving Private Ryan?
“it was a fresh take on its many predecessors.”
You would think that a Romeo and Juliet story would be, by this point, overdone, but the acting was so compelling throughout you almost forget everything you know about the story, and it was a fresh take on its many predecessors.
I really think more gangster movies should involve this much dancing. It is one of those films where you want to leave the cinema singing, dancing, and crying, but I don’t think that would go over as well in Glasgow as it does in the film.
Featured image courtesy of Kilyan Sockalingum on Unsplash. No changes have been made to this image. Image license found here.
