West Side Story
Directed by Steven Spielberg
(2021, 20th Century Studios (as Twentieth Century Studios)/Amblin Entertainment/Amblin Partners/TSG Entertainment (made in association with)
Tonight! Tonight! I saw West Side Story tonight!
What if you took the best director in Hollywood (Steven Spielberg), the best writer on Broadway (Tony Kushner), and had them adapt this classic movie musical by Leonard Bernstein? Would I still dislike the musical, West Side Story?
The short answer is a resounding, yes.
Don’t get me wrong, the remake here is very well done. The attention to detail in casting, costuming, scenery, choreography, and directing is second to none. The issue here is simply me.
Besides a few songs from this musical that are wonderful, I have always found the original movie and the retelling of this Romeo and Juliet story of two teenagers from different “worlds” falling in love to be utterly boring. I thought maybe with the remake, which I fully gave myself unto, might change my tune here. Didn’t happen. I found myself constantly looking at my watch hoping for it to end.
Reviewers should always be as unbiased as possible removing the word, “l” but with this review it simply can’t be done.
The reason why is, “I” know this must be me because this film is as good or better than the original…for those that like this musical to begin with.
But, alas, the musical, for me, is like nails slowly be dragged down a chalkboard that takes forever. If you like the musical, definitely check it out, but if you’re like me, there’s no “place for us” here.
F
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