Steven Spielberg has previously dabbled in the visual rhythms of musical theater — see the opening of Temple of Doom for a prime example — but has never made a full fledged musical. His adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s classic stage musical, which was famously adapted to the big-screen in 1961 by Jerome Roberts and Robert Wise, is not only the legendary filmmaker’s first musical, but it’s also his most emotionally urgent and spectacularly helmed film in over a decade
It’s the 1950’s and tensions are high for rivaling gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. The Jets are seeing their usual terrain of NYC slowly fade as construction takes away old memories and hopes to build a new future. The Sharks, a gang of young Puerto Rican men just looking to find opportunity in America. Both gangs hate each other, and seek to get the other gang off their turf for good. Maria, (newcomer Rachel Zegler) is the sister to Bernardo (David Alvarez), the head of the Sharks, who falls in love with Tony (Ansel Elgort), a former member of the Sharks just released from prison and wanting to stay out of trouble. Of course, trouble follows when Bernardo and Riff, (Mike Faist) Tony’s best friend and the head of the Jets founds out about their love affair, sparking even more of a rivalry. Bernardo’s girlfriend, Anita (former Hamilton cast member Ariana DeBose) has dreams of her own and wants Bernardo to leave his gang life behind.
Right off the bat, Spielberg’s take on West Side Story has more grit and joyful energy that coincide with one another gracefully. Paired with his usual DP Janusz Kaminski, Spielberg’s new vision of dynamically shot and bursting at the seams with life. Kaminski’s detailed, intricate cinematography has the kind of sweeping scale that’s been missing from most modern musicals. Spielberg takes Sondheim’s original production and gives it a larger-than-life cinematic treatment full of breathtaking compositions. For much of the runtime, there’s one show-stopping musical number after another, to the point where Spielbergian magic feels like it comes at an endless pace. The choreography has the expressionism found in the original musical, but is more refined and natural to Spielberg’s tone.
The ensemble cast is ripe with flair and and energetic personalities. In the classic role of Maria, Rachel Zegler is a true breakthrough. Her performance as Maria is the kind of star-making performance rarely seen of this magnitude. With a face that can embody an ocean of nuance and an angelic voice that could melt steel, Zegler makes her mark as a bonafide movie star. Ariana DeBose, as Anita, has a vivid charisma that practically leaps off the screen. DeBose has a vibrancy to her screen presence, one that makes her exciting to watch. DeBose’s portrayal of Anita’s ferocity is always commanding and the character is given more dimension than in previous incarnations. Mike Faist and David Alvarez are strong additions to the cast, and Rita Moreno — who previously won an Oscar for her portrayal of Anita in the 1962 screen adaptation, adds a soulfulness to the ensemble as an original character.
The biggest weak link in not just the cast, but the film, overall is star Ansel Elgort. While the actor has been quite charismatic in past works such as The Fault in Our Stars and Baby Driver, Elgort’s presence is a black hole where charisma and charm are usually found. He does well enough in the musical numbers, but is stiff in the dramatic beats. This is even without the stain of his past allegations of predatory behavior that occasionally linger over his wooden performance. When the Romeo and Juliet-inspired story reaches its tragic conclusion, the emotional impact is undeniably hindered by the star’s lack of chemistry with Rachel Zegler — who really gives it everything she’s got.
Even if West Side Story runs out of steam before the final act, it’s still a show-stopping, luminous feat of cinematic prowess. This is a spectacular new update of the late, Stephen Sondheim’s classic musical and features some of Steven Spielberg’s best filmmaking in over a decade.
Happy to hear it stands on its own.
Ill definitely check it out
My my man Steven Spielberg has done it ( With the Help of Rita Moreno ). He really pulled it off. He remade a classic that won 10 Academy Awards back in 1961 and made it even better. I just got back from seeing his remake of ” West Side Story “, and I was left speechless, in tears and moved. This movie is his greatest accomplishment since Saving Private Ryan and Schindlers List, and he made something that is powerful and speaks to the divisive time in which we are living. Everything from the grittier look, the casting to fit the true representation of the character’s, Steve’s understanding and execution of Leonard Bernstein’s music and Tony Kushner’s screenplay all came together to turn this classic story into something Fresh and New. I know this will sound like a broken record, but I walked out of the theater, I’m reminded once again how bigotry and hatred destroy’s , and how love is what will heal us. I will go back and see this again. I hope to see this at the Oscars. Go check it out. Peace.
Don’t forget Spielberg hinted at doing musicals in 1941 with the whirligig dancing sequences. Spielberg is my favorite filmmaker of all time, his cinematic flourishes are as well-defined, purposeful, and effortlessly impressive as the contours of a Michelangelo sculpture.
Well done Noah. This is the first of your critic readings I’ve read. I am grandpa’s friend. We met years ago when you first moved to Troy. I hope I will get to see this film after all these crazy lockdowns stop. Nonetheless, your writing is spot on. God bless you in your chosen career.
Wonderful write up Noah!
Haven’t seen it yet but looking forward to.
Spielberg remaking one of the most iconic musicals of all time?? Yes, and It’s magic. I still have more films to see, but for me, this is the best film of 2021. Every facet was brilliant and I left the theater a wreck for awhile. A must see in my opinion.
I think the last act was the strongest, but I definitely agree with the Ansel Egort criticism. He was the weakest link for sure.
It was a great film and enjoyed watching it with one of my friends this evening!!
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