John du Prey - Classical Review Romantically speaking, the delicate crescendo of unfinished love dominates this powerful classic (easily one of the finest dramatic musicals ever produced). The unfolding of love, passion, and intimacy between Tony and Maria, like the riptide, spills into the soul of this film. Their whispered and orchestrated words on the balcony create nuances beyond the realm of normal drama. Their marriage before God establishes their union, solidifies the romantic crescendo, and allows Maria to mourn her husband's death at the end. It is a complete tragedy on all respective levels.
All meetings between Tony (played by Richard Beymer) and Maria (played by Natalie Wood) are stunning in presentation. The musical overtures are superb, the dancing is brilliant, and the conflict between the Jets and Sharks (women included) has its own originality in classical terms. Yet, Maria alone commands the stage in virtually all tender moments (except those involving Anita); our heroine's softness, intelligence, and untested wisdom establishes her emotive control of the play (start to finish). In as much as her humility does not detract from the other powerful performances, Maria displays honor, sacrifice, depth, and commitment throughout the entire drama. We observe Natalie Wood in her finest hour as a gifted actress.
The principles of romantic tragedy dominant this play in its careful adherence to the plot and character development within Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (who is Maria's unspoken mentor in matters of passion and control of one's lover). She redirects Tony away from secreted romance into the tragic consequences of interfering with the rumble; the deaths of Bernardo (her brother) and Riff (Tony's closest friend) are related (within dramatic irony) to her secret intervention (supposedly on their behalf). In truth, this masterpiece resides in both categories, tragedy and romance; bound (perhaps) by her mournful voice, "Don't you touch him!" Our catharsis is directly affected by Maria's youthful passion related to unfinished love in its most delicate stages.
Felt liked rated R. . . COOL! When my grandma and grampa came out to visit us (my family), daddy found West Side Story just coming on. So we sat to watch it.
It is kinda like modern (not-so modern now) Romeo and Juilet. Only, it includes graffiti, that short guy who wants to be with the good guys, and a few more.
I think I gave West Side Story a four because the use of teens smoking, the good guys leader telling his 'buddys' to bring guns, knives, swords, ect.. I also gave four stars 'cause the ending is kinda sad. My mom started crying and was really, really in your face, like, 'Ohhh, Tony died, shame on Chico.'
P.S. I was eight when I saw this. . . it really should have been rated R (mild violence, language)
West SideStory This a great film for the classroom. It gives students a chance to understand elements of plot, theme and etc.
Classic Musical, and Look Out for Tucker Smith What can I say that already hasn't been said by more eloquent reviewers already about West Side Story the movie? It deviated a bit from the original Broadway musical but the movie here still wack a wallop in terms of Jerome Robbins' groundbreaking choreograpny, Robert Wise's direction, and Leonard Bernstein's music. The movie is presented in widescreen of course, and as it should be, so the entire scope of the amazing and exhiliariting dance numbers can be seen as it was originally intended.
West Side Story traced the rivalry between two gangs, the native born Americans Jets and the Puerto Rican born Sharks. The Jets and Sharks turn out to be more alike than unlike and had the capacity to be friends, yet ethnic differences and the stubborness of both sides eventually leads to the deaths of both gangs' leaders and destroyed a relationship between the sister of the leader of the Sharks and an ex-Jets member which could have unite the two together.
The bonus second disc has a very informative and enlightening documentary on the making of the film, including clips featuring Natalie Wood and Russ Tamblyn's own vocals before they were dubbed in. In fact, Wood's vocals were not that bad, but her voice do quiver when she have to hit the high notes. Russ Tamblyn's original vocals for the Jet Song was also featured on the bonus disc, his voice was alright too, but has to be replaced by Tucker Smith due to contractural reasons.
The piece de resistance of the set is the booklet that came with it. The booklet first have a timeline that traced West Side Story's origins from Broadway smash to cinematic legend. Then the entire screenplay is included, with pictures from the movie inserted at key sequences in the script. The screenplay followed, for the most part, the original Broadway prodcution with the addition of the character Ice (Tucker Smith) and the elimination of Diesel. Ice would went on to assume Diesel's role and also many of Action's lines. After that is a reproduction of the original lobby brochure and finally, newspaper clippings reviewing the movie and of the premiere of the movie (get your magnifying glass out!)
Casting wise, the male Jets are more distinctive in terms of their individuality and characterizations. While their rivalry with the Sharks are based in no small part to racism, they are still likeable....until they assaulted Anita. With the exception of Anybodys, the Jet girls for the most part are undeveloped (pow, poo, ooblee-pooh). This trend is reversed in the Sharks, where the female characters turn out to be more interesting than the guys, with the exception of Bernardo. Despite incorporating the Shark guys in the song "America", most of them remain undistinctive.
While everyone seem to mention the usual suspects: Moreno, Wood, Beymer, Tamblyn, etc, etc, another cast member that also deserved to be mentioned is the late Tucker Smith, who played Ice, the second-in-command of the Jets. The last time I saw "West Side Story" in any form was when I was grade school, which was in the late 70s. Perhaps it is because of the widescreen, and that my sense of perception has matured, watching the movie I found myself constantly drawn to Tucker Smith. This often overlooked dancer/singer/actor, in my humble opinion, steals just about every scene he was in, especially the mambo dance sequence in the gymnasium, where he clearly was the best male dancer in the cast (he can clearly throw his legs much higher and arch his back more than even the "epitome of masculine grace" George Chakiris). He exuded charisma and star quality and certainly danced and looked better than any of the male leads. For whatever reason his career seem to have stalled in Hollywood. Although there were some rumours on why he didn't go on to bigger things but that is a matter to be discussed someplace else.
The Way this is to be Some DVD box sets are complete and utter over blown wastes of money. Like of both How the West Was Won (Ultimate Collector's Edition) and The Searchers (Ultimate Collector's Edition) which were over padded and miscolor films. This film box set isnt that at all.
The normal DVD is in full screen. This collection is in wide screen format and a great digital transfer. The soundtrack is tweaked upward in sound quality.
This multi Oscar winning, musicial adaptation of Romeo and Juliet is a winner. You will see more and more details with every airing of this modern day classic
What amazes me is this film from the early 1960's is still timeless. The second disk has trailers and documentaries on this film.
What also comes in this collection is a film book that reprint the film book that you bought at the theater in the 1960's with a press book that newspaper would have and a history of the film. This book alone is worth the price of this collection for any film fan
Worth the money for any film fan on your list. Its a FIVE STAR hit
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
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