A One Mann’s Movies review of “West Side Story” (2021).
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Spielberg directing a musical remake of the 1961 classic “West Side Story”? Of course, there was that Buzby Berkeley opening number to “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”. But that’s really about it. It’s certainly a significant deviation from his last movie “Ready Player One“! But at 75 years of age, why not stick your neck out a bit?
Plot Summary:
As the West Side is progressively bulldozed to make way for ‘rich folks apartments’, a street war between the gangs of the white ‘Jets’ and the Puerto Rican ‘Sharks’ continues unabated. Tony (Ansel Elgort), a former Jet with a short fuse, is fresh out of prison and keen to get a clean start, working for drugstore owner Valentina (Rita Morena – Anita from the 1961 version). But he falls for the lovely Maria (Rachel Zegler), sister of Sharks leader Bernardo (David Alvarez). Bernardo’s love Anita (Ariana DeBose) tries to keep the peace, but an explosive ‘rumble’ seems inevitable.
Certification:
Talent:
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, David Alverez, Ariana DeBose, Rita Moreno.
Directed by: Steven Spielberg.
Written by: Tony Kushner (based on the original stage play by Arthur Laurents with songs / lyrics by Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim).
West Side Story Review:
Positives:
- Internet influencer Rachel Zegler is a wonder to behold as Maria. A real breakthrough performance. What an actress! What a singer!
- Spielberg regular Janusz Kaminski is the man behind the camera, and the cinematography is awesome as a result. Drenched in over-saturated colour it looks and feels like a proper old-fashioned 50’s musical. Some of the framing of the scenes is simply gorgeous. Surely an Oscar nomination for Kaminski, if not an outright win.
- For a 12A film, there’s a palpable level of tension and threat built up by Spielberg which I wasn’t expecting. I should comment that the illustrious Mrs Movie Man hated the movie as a result, and nearly walked out. (Part of this tension includes a sequence of sexual threat, which I’ll point out for anyone potentially triggered by this).
Negatives:
- Some of the dialogue (especially that spoken by Bernardo, Anita and Maria) is fired out rapidly, mixed with Spanish and with such a strong accent that its difficult to pick up.
- The 27 year-old Elgort seems mis-cast as the male lead. While there was nothing wrong with his performance (he seems to channel Marlon Brando in his more angst-ridden moments) he wasn’t convincing enough for me as Maria’s lover.
Summary Thoughts on “West Side Story”
As a musical, it’s glorious to look at with great songs and spectacular, colourful dance numbers. And at times the virtuosity of the Spielberg/Kaminski combination makes some of the scenes simply soar. But did it fully absorb me for the whole of its nearly 160-minutes run time? No, not quite.
Trailer for “West Side Story”
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5GJLwWiYSg .
