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West Side Story--A Film that I find Irresistible, and Why:

posted 9 years ago by friendoffilm
4 replies | jump to latest

From the cool multi-colored Overture to the Graffiti-ed credits at the very end, the film West Side Story is a film that I find irresistible. Although I've never really been able to put a finger on why, this is a film that seems to beckon me to come and see it again and again, especially when it comes around to a movie theatre that's either in my general area, or that's within reasonable driving distance from where I reside.

Not only is the very story behind West Side Story extremely dynamic, but the way in which this beautiful musical was translated from stage to screen was exceptional, imho. Since there were no expensive gadgets to create overly graphic special affects on film back then, the cinematic technology was all done by camera, with varying angles, and colors, all of which help to narrate the story behind West Side Story in a very visually telling and illustrious manner. From the warring Jets and Sharks to the romancing Tony and Maria, and from the very beginning to the very end of this great classic film, as well as both the local scenes of filming and the stage settings that were used in the film version of this great musical were uncannily realistic looking, and indicative of a run-down urban area, creating a background that added to the various characters of this movie-musical.

The brilliant Bernstein musical score also adds yet another dimension to this beautiful film, also illustrating the very story behind WSS, and indicates what's coming up next. The dancing in West Side Story, as well as the Jet gang whistles and the finger-snapping, is also an extremely integral part of this great musical. West Side Story, both on film and on stage, is a strong indication of how various emotions, and a story in itself, can be told through dancing. That, imho, makes this movie-musical a rare classic, albeit a very special classic that's in a very special class all by itself.

Unlike most other musicals, which tend to lose at least some of their "kick" when transferred from stage to screen, West Side Story is very successful on both stage and screen for the following reasons:

A) The very story behind West Side Story (i. e. love that grows and develops amid conflict between warring urban street gangs, only to be destroyed by jealousy, violence and death, but, as a story overall, came up again to hint of possible intergroup reconciliation, provided a good backdrop for a successful film made from what was a great musical on stage, as well.

B) Because West Side Story is set in a rough, run-down urban area (NYC's West Side, to be exact (that's how that part of NYC was back then.)!), the resources were right there at hand to make a successful film out of WSS possible. Also, Boris Leven, who designed the stage sets for some scenes of the film version of West Side Story managed, in countless ways, to design and create the sets so that they looked uncannily like run-down, rough sections of a big city.

C) Many of the people who were chosen for the cast in the film version of West Side Story had played in the original Broadway stage productions as well, which helped make this classic film even more 3-dimB) Because West Side Story is set in a rough, run-down urban area (NYC's West Side, to be exact (that's how that part of NYC was back then.)!), the resources were right there at hand to make a successful film out of WSS possible. Also, Boris Leven, who designed the stage sets for some scenes of the film version of West Side Story managed, in countless ways, to design and create the sets so that they looked uncannily like run-down, rough sections of a big city.

C) Many of the people who were chosen for the cast in the film version of West Side Story had played in the original Broadway stage productions as well, which helped make this great golden oldie-but-keeper of a classic film even more dynamic and 3-dimensional.

D) The richly-colored costumes and cinematography also added emphasis to an already-great story behind an already-great movie-musical, and added even more dimension to it overall.

E) Excellent actors/actresses, even those who hadn't played in any of the original Broadway stage productions of West Side Story, were chosen for this great classic film. George Chakiris, Rita Moreno, Tucker Smith, Russ Tamblyn, Simon Oakland, Ned Glass and Eliot Feld all played their parts fantastically, adding a special 3-dimensionality to this great classic film. Yet, with the exception of Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood, all of the cast was rather strong. I'll also add that David Winters also played the role of A-Rab (a Jet) with much aplomb and greatness, as well.

F) What was also wonderful about this film is that it was not overly graphic, bloody or violent, and the cinematographers were able to create wonderful special affects without the use of expensive gadgetry or computerized, cartoon-like illustrations and constant huge explosions on the movie screen.

G) Perhaps, in addition to all of the above-mentioned aspects of the film West Side Story put together to create a strong movie, is the fact that when West Side Story was transferred from stage to screen, it was kept as a larger-than-life-sized piece of theatre, which gave additional strength made this film even more three-dimensional. That being said, it doesn't bother me at all that the film West Side Story is also available in a High-definition, remastered, reprinted version that's meant for today's digital projection. In fact, I'm glad of it.

H) After all is said and done, the film West Side Story came to the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA, which is just a stone's throw from downtown Boston, just this past Monday night. I had purchased tickets for me and a longtime friend of mine, we attended the WSS screening, and had a wonderful time!

I) Having said all of the above, the MGM quote "Unlike other Classics, West Side Story grows younger." rings so true!

Afterthought: I've posted the following afterthought on other threads, on here and on other forums, but it bears repeating here: West Side Story is a film that I never tire of seeing over and over again. The exuberance, the story, and the overall beat of this great classic, as well as everything else about it is why the film West Side Story beckons me to come and see it every time it comes around, especially on a great big, wide screen, in a real movie theatre, with the lights down low, and a sharing of the whole experience with a bunch of other people, whether one knows them or not.

[–] leader-7 9 years ago

Dearest -- what a great heartfelt reviee of what is also, to me, the best musical ever made.

It portrays characters, flawed as they are, in a backdrop, imperfect as it is, as they grow, mature, fall in love, experience tragedy, and ultimately become adults, ever so harshly. And magically.

It was on tonight, and I never miss it. One of my viewing tricks is that I occasionally watch it ONLY for the dance numbers, or only the musical (singing) components. By separating them you get to see the sheer GENIUS of each of the people who led this film to its absolute glory.

Bernstein wrote music that ran the gamut from jazz (dance at the gym) to classical, rock, romance, Latin. Sondheim rose to the occasion with lyrics that made us laugh, cry, love, and be emotional. It was sheer poetry.

Robbins' choreography was ballet, modern, tough, tango, waltz...

I even think the "miscast" Wood and Beymer are perfect after having seen it now about 150 million times. They were so innocent. More than that, they were believable.

I grew up in THAT NYC, and they all nailed it. And for those of you who doubt that the not yet named "Upper West Side" was that way, I can assure you it was. The street toughs ran the show.

Even the nerdy John Astin, often overlooked, was an integral character in his one scene. Look at how afraid he is, and how perfectly he exhibits it.

It's a cinematographic precious gem.

So warm. So beautiful. So much to believe. Indeed.

[–] friendoffilm 9 years ago

Hi, leader-7!

Thank you very much for your compliment. West Side Story is a film that, for me, is something that I not only can see over and over again without getting tired of it, but remains totally unforgettable and sticks with people (although, if the late Pauline Kael's rather scathing critique of the film West Side Story is any indication, this great classic definitely has its detractors, as well!).

A friend of mine and I saw the film West Side Story at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, in Brookline, MA (a town just outside Boston.), just this past Monday night, and we both had a wonderful time! Moreover, the film played to a nearly-packed house, to boot! I also watched the TCM airing of it on TV last Thursday, although nothing beats seeing the film West Side Story on a great big, wide screen, in a realmovie theatre, with the lights down low, and sharing the whole experience with a bunch of other people, whether one knows them or not.

I have found, that, for me, the film West Side Story is a movie that absolutely must be viewed, from the very beginning to the very end, or otherwise it feels like certain parts have been cut out of it.

leader-7: You're correct in saying that the film West Side Story does a really good job of depicting how New York City's Upper West Side was back then. Although I didn't grow up in New York City myself, I know lots of people (including my mom), who did, and could/would say the same thing. I also think, however, that West Side Story, although it's fiction, does, in a way, depict things that happen in real life, thoughout our society, and the world, generally: Intergroup conflict that seems to go on and on, leading to arrogance, hubris, violence, and, ultimately, death and destruction, and yet the crossing over of people to fall in love, date, and even marry into different heritages, racial, religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds than the ones they were originally brought up in. As a neighbor of mine once put it: West Side Story is fiction, but closer to reality, in some respects.

Not only is the film West Side Story a cinematic gem, but one of its great strengths is that it was kept as a larger-than-life-sized piece of theatre. The people who said that there would never be another film like West Side Story again were right on their money...they were telling the truth.

Oh, and leader-7: Thank you for a wonderful analysis of such a wonderfully beautiful film. You've articulately said so many things that I wish I could say. It's a beautiful review of a beautiful classic! Keep up the great work!

[–] leader-7 9 years ago

Thank you. I know you and I are not alone in our love for this superb film. It's great to talk about it here, though.

[–] friendoffilm 9 years ago

Hi again, leader-7! You're welcome! It's great to know that neither of us are alone in loving this great film. Talking about it here is fabulous. I enjoy it, and I enjoy talking with you about it, as well.