I’m not a fan of the celluloid musical genre; however, there is always the exception to the rule. In this case it is my pleasure to introduce to you my favorite movie musical, West Side Story, which I intend on giving a very loving tribute as well as a fair review. Before I begin let me clear up one thing you might be thinking, yes this film breaks out into many a song after some very dramatic scenes and a few comic relief moments. There is nothing more irritating than watching a musical that does it too over the top it might as well be a cinematic opera.
What sets West Side Story apart from the thinly veiled scripts of past overblown musicals of the silver screen is its remarkable adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. That in itself is a tale which is timeless as well as universal. Secondly, the music of Leonard Bernstein and the songs by Stephen Sondheim are without a doubt memorable, beautiful, and soul-stirring. Those unforgettable songs such as, Somewhere, Tonight, Maria, just to name a few, are still as popular today as when the film was first released in 1961. Currently on Broadway is the revival production of West Side Story. It had originally been a Broadway production, which opened in September 1957. This is proof how the stage and film versions still have enormous staying power for all generations. Last but never least, the acting, production, direction, choreography, etc. are stellar in every way. Once you start watching the film you are drawn in by all of these elements that come together so impeccably. It literally is a movie experience unlike anything else.
The opening of the film starts off with an artistic sketch of the skyline of Manhattan, circa mid-to-late 50’s, changing colors as the overture, a medley of the musical score, plays on. Overtures were a common fixture of the big film productions, primarily musicals, in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Once the music is over you see the southern tip of the island, Manhattan, and the camera takes you on an aerial view of the many buildings, skyscrapers, sports stadiums, parks, campuses, and then lowers you into a series of tenements that goes on for blocks. It is then you are introduced to the first gang, The Jets. Beforehand while the camera took you on the aerial tour you heard no music, instead you’d hear the infamous whistle that is the Jets calling card.
After the introduction of The Jets we then become acquainted with their rival gang, The Sharks. This gang is comprised entirely of Puerto Rican migrants who mostly likely came with their parents to New York City in the early to mid 50’s during Operation Bootstrap. Whereas the Jets, they come from the Polish, Irish, and German Catholic stock and are considered the “Americans” of the two gangs. The story’s main characters are Tony and Maria, the ill fated lovers, due to their circumstances stemming from the feuding gangs. Tony was a former member of The Jets and Maria recently arrived in New York from Puerto Rico.
As if the two gangs need anymore reason to start a rumble, it is decided that one is inevitable. During the rumble things go awry since Tony tries to break it up based on Maria’s insistence. What ensues is a cat and mouse game between the other remaining members of The Jets, Tony, Chino who is Maria’s betrothed boyfriend arranged by her brother Bernardo, and Anita. Just like its Shakespearean counterpart it ends tragically. The film may seem dated and corny at times due to our extreme awareness of gang violence today. West Side Story was a major breakthrough due to its dark theme and social problems in the early ’60’s. One thing that is never dated is the raw and edgy emotions The Jets and the Sharks have for one another. To put this film in its proper perspective I realized something when I watched the theatrical movie trailer, a Bonus Feature from the West Side Story DVD. There is a quote that rings true nearly fifty years after its release in 1961: “Unlike Other Classics West Side Story Grows Younger”.
Here are some websites for consumers who want to purchase West Side Story for their DVD collection:
www.Amazon.com/dvd
www.hotmoviesale.com
http://www.cduniverse.com/default.asp?style=movie
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Side_Story_(film)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Side_Story
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Side_Story_(Original_Broadway_Cast)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rican_migration_to_New_York
www.westsidestory.com
West Side Story: MGM DVD – Theatrical Trailer
