The score of West Side Story is undeniable. Romeo & Juliet is undeniable.
My problem with the Spielberg/Kushner version of West Side Story is that it makes changes that are either too aggressive or not aggressive enough.
There is a constant tension throughout the film between delivering the classic songs and dances that we all know are great, even recreating some of the original images and choreography, and making this a statement movie about more than two gangs and two young lovers and a tragedy.
The movie has a lot more dialogue… basically trying to make it more real. Commentary of sexual equality and asshole cops and gentrification, amongst many other issues. But this realness brings a harsh edge that doesn’t serve the magically thinking conceits of this material.
For instance, the deaths of Riff and Bernardo are almost identical, 1961 to 2021. I can’t say that Tony seemed to think a lot longer in either film before sticking in the knife. But somehow in the new film, it felt more in…
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