West Side Story (1961)

Intro.

Each of us has that "list" of films we want to see, but for one reason or another haven't gotten around to seeing.  Whenever someone recommends a movie to us, we say we'll put it on our list.  West Side Story was one of those movies on my list.  I had always been meaning to see it, so when it was featured on TCM a few days ago as part of their 31 days of Oscar marathon, I finally got my chance.  I already knew it was based on Romeo & Juliet, but it surprised me by being unpredictable.

Overview

For the most part, West Side Story does mirror Romeo & Juliet.  The feuding families have been replaced with rival teenage gangs - the American born Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks.  Of course there's a dance at the school gymnasium, where Maria, the sister of the Sharks leader Bernardo, meets Tony, one of the founding members of the Jets.  Tony has since given up the gang life in order to work and make a life for himself.  His best friend Riff now runs the Jets, and has asked him to help with a war council against the Sharks.  Bernardo, furious that Maria danced with Tony, accepts Riff's challenge to a rumble.  The agreement is that one man from each side will fight with only his fists - no weapons.  Meanwhile, Tony and Maria get together, but she pleads with him to stop the fight.  Tony arrives as the rumble begins, and his attempts to stop it only further anger Bernardo.  Needless to say, the fight gets way out of control and ends with both Riff and Bernardo dead.  Bernardo's friend Chino goes after Tony for revenge and after a few fateful twists, the film closes with both gangs realizing just what their hatred has done.

Highlights
The music and choreography are definitely the shining features of this film.  It feels almost like an opera, with its sweeping dance sequences and limited amount of dialogue.  The beginning was a bit difficult for me to get interested in, as it felt a little on the long side.  Also, it took some time for me to really appreciate and accept a bunch of teenage gangsters trying to assert their territory by dancing down the street.  But as soon as we meet Maria and Tony, the film changes both in depth and color.  Everything in the Puerto Rican homes is bright, rich and multi-colored, which makes it the perfect setting for Maria and Tony to reunite and declare their love.  In addition to the wonderful performances of Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno does an outstanding job as Bernardo's girlfriend Anita.  Especially good is the number done by the Sharks and their women called "America", which focuses on the hardships faced by immigrants.

Review
I was surprised that Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer both had their singing dubbed, and I have to confess it took some of the magic away.  The film does feel a bit dated, and as I mentioned before the beginning is a little long.  Still, I can see why the film earned its 10 Oscars, as it beautifully touches such difficult topics as teenage angst and rebellion, fated love, and prejudice.  It is one of the most simple story lines that has produced such a complex and dynamic musical.  If West Side Story is still on your list, move it up to the top and watch it soon.