No matter how much you’ve seen it, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet story
is one love story that will be told for years to come.
West Side Story is an adaptation of the Romeo and Juliet story. The
movie itself is based on the book of the same name.
Elvis was actually approached to play the role of Tony but he turned it
down and opted for other musicals. If Elvis had known that this movie would be
in the list of classics to be seen, maybe he would have picked the offer.
The movie tells the story of two rival gangs, the Jets (Americans) and
the Sharks (Puerto Ricans). The Jets decide to challenge the Sharks for who
takes control of the streets at a dance that night. Riff, the leader, decides
to call Tony Wycek (Richard Beymer), a co-founder of the Jets who has left the
gang to work at a local candy/drug store, as the best member to present the
challenge to the Sharks.
At the dance that night Tony meets Maria (Natalie Wood) and it is love
at first sight. Tony gets carried away by her presence and everything else from
here I need you, the reader, to go watch it yourself.
Concerning the acting, there were good moments and many of the actors delivered, but I had issues with the Tony character, he is played a bit too stiff and doesn’t fit the passionate demeanour the role required. Also, some of the supporting cast overplay the gang rivalry, making certain scenes feel more theatrical than natural, and you can sense that some scenes were just dragged out a bit too long, for no reason at all.
The movie still has its marks in Hollywood, as some of the songs are
still being used. Also, in Michael Jackson’s Bad video, the standoff between
the rival gang leaders is similar to that in the movie.
The film holds the distinction of being the musical film with the most
Academy Award wins (10 wins), including Best Picture.
One thing you will also find yourself liking is the choreography during
the singing. It was warm and enjoyable. The movie script is also well written,
as it takes you through a Romeo and Juliet story with its own ideology and fun
that you may actually forget that you are watching a Shakespeare adaptation.
The director Robert Wise won the Academy Award for Best Director and
Best Picture for West Side Story (1961).
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