West Side Story (1961) - An Americanised Romeo & Juliet!

As Steven Spielberg prepares to bring yet another cinema classic back with a modern retelling, it felt best to refresh views on the 60s classic that is cemented in the hearts of audiences all around the world. It's because of Jerome Robbins & Robert Wise's 1961 adaptation that so many people adore this classic musical, and that so many are sceptical about this impending modern remake. But does this classic still hold a high position in the world of movie musicals?

The opening to this film is much slower than you might be expecting, and that can be a hit or miss issue, depending on the aspect you look at. The title sequence is overly long and doesn't have much to build up excitement beyond a series of moving lines and changing colours. However, the opening number establishes the setting, principle players and the overarching conflict brilliantly well, especially when you consider there is no singing in this opening piece. Who knew whistling and finger snapping could be so effective? In fact, there is a few moments where music is integral to the film's narrative and emotional beats, but they are able to demonstrate this without extensive singing. The first meeting between Natalie Wood's Maria and Richard Beymer's Tony is beautiful alienated from the rest of reality. And the fact that the music is allowed to play while the characters speak their feelings adds to the moment. They save the traditional love songs for after the initial introduction and rise in conflict, in order to let their feelings become cemented. The romance and overall narrative follows the beats of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, and just like the Shakespearian classic, the romance between Maria and Tony does feel very rushed, going from first meeting to saying I love you in a matter of minutes. But regardless of this minor issues, the two actors really do a great job at conveying the chemistry between them on screen.

The cinematography is sublime with it's rich usage of colour, which burst off the screen. In particular, the use of red really stands out, and helps to make moments of highlight stand out even more. They also utilise it for transitions as well, which again adds a levle of cinematic quality to this story. Cinematographer, Daniel L. Fapp provides some exceptionally dynamic shots which reflects the ongoing conflicts and emotional tension between the principal players. I do however find it worth noting the the framing and overall structure of this film's visual style takes a lot from the show's theatrical origins. Many scenes appear to be framed as if the actors were on stage performing, and the way the camera is positioned and move reinforces this idea. Now, this could be a decisive opinion, depending on what you want more. A film that feels like watching the stage show, or a theatrical show being turned into a cinematic extravaganza. For me, I enjoy the theatrical look of this film, but would've like to see them take advantage of the cinematic art form a little bit more.

The music is by far the standout in this film, which is expected considering the fact that this story originates from a Broadway musical. Each song is performed with elegance and strength that sells the emotions each and every time. It's worth bringing praise to Marni Nixon and Jimmy Byrant, who provide the singing voices for Maria and Tony, who are indistinguishable from Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer. Backing this up was exceptional choreography, as every movement on screen whether it's a dance or just natural movement within a scene feels so lively and animates the characters to a whole new level. And while the film does feel a little too much like it's a stage show being filmed, the level of theatricality in the performances is something that nobody can complain about.

Overall, West Side Story still has a lot to offer 60 years on from it's theatrical release. It's still a lively and fun film, which never fails to get the audience engaged with it's toe tapping tunes, emotionally driven romance or the tense and enthralling conflict between the two opposing sides. And while some aspects may divide opinion, the overall product still holds a lot of strong merits. It's safe to say that Spielberg has a lot to live up to with his version of the film...

SCORES

Story - 4.5/5

Characters - 4/5

Production - 3.5/5

Acting - 5/5

Music - 5/5

TOTAL - 8.8/10