"West Side Story"
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| Going to tell my kids this is the live-action "Akira" remake |
In 50s New York city, the white street gang Jets fight for control of their neighbourhood against who they see as usurpers: the Puerto Rican "Sharks". Under the leadership of Riff (Mike Faist) and Bernardo (David Alvarez) respectively, tensions are high. Things come to a head when former Jet Tony (Incel Elgort) comes out of prison and falls heads over heels for Bernardo's sister Maria (Rachel Zegler). A whirlwind romance and a backdrop of racism, violence and cultural clashes are set to follow...
Look, you know "West Side Story", we all know this one.
Spielberg has got a spectacular eye for things in this, his cinematography, choreography, lighting and costuming are all top tier stuff. His opening shots are of the homes of our main characters being demolished to make way for a leisure centre (a pretty good touch), and there's a fantastic use of shadows at the Rumble which makes the police into the same spectral, intimidating force as the gangs themselves, for example. There's lots of touches like that.
He's also not ashamed to be making a musical (unlike professional hack Tom Hooper), and truly embraces the medium.
Now, the meat and potatoes of it. I unfortunately have to start with the glaring flaw: Tony.
Richard Baymer, for all his flaws and faults, had a charm to him, and really seemed at home on screen. He belonged in movies. Tonsil Igor, however, is a bland meandering void of talent and charisma vacuum whose mere presence brings things to a screeching halt. I do appreciate him going to a consistent vocal coach, even if his singing is bland and lacks character; and on a side note I do take note of the balls in going-method for "guy who creeps on girls". It's a choice. He's atrocious, and the first few numbers are rather Tony heavy - That being said, "Something's Coming" is so good a song and the choreography and styling in the pharmacy so well done that it survives despite him.
Alvarez and Faist are excellent finds, the latter in particular is more wiry and cunning Riff (who is probably the best character in the play aside from Anita) and it works; whilst Alvarez is menacing and charming in equal measure. Honestly? I wish Faist was playing Tony: he's charming as fuck, and his dialogue and rapport with Ingram Eldritch is fantastic.
But then there's Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose.
Holy shit what finds.
Just... holy fucking shit these guys are good. I can't stress enough how much they just run rings around (almost) everybody on screen. So I'll just leave that there.
Highlights: the dance where Maria and Not-Richard-Baymer meet is gorgeous, a sumptuous delight.
The small sub-plot about new Riff Jack growing into the gang and becoming disillusioned is a nice touch, and comes to a head in "Gee, Officer Krupke". It's cool.
The number "Gee, Officer Krupke" (a personal favourite of mine) is great: set in the police station waiting room, and allowing the Jets to really showcase their talents, having fun with the setting and props.
"America" (my favourite number, and the best) is just spectacular on screen, and when the movie really comes into its own. It's just a barn burner, and I may prefer it to the original 1961 version.
Rita Moreno: she gets given "Somewhere" (she plays Doc's widow, a neat little touch), and holy fucking shit that is incredible. Not ashamed to say that I cried.
Any time DeBose, Alvarez, Zegler and Faist are on screen, the movie is just electriying.
This movie is so good that it manages to not only survive having Anchor Emblem, but THRIVE having Amstell Elbow in its cast.
Please fucking watch this.
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