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Viewing: 'West Side Story' 1962









Film Review:


I really enjoyed watching West Side Story the original more than the new remake of the film in 2021 due to Jerome Robbins dancing numbers, blending into the story and carrying on action that is captivating for the spectator. I particularly liked how the film was written and inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, which I studied in school and therefore was able to follow along in the film. Like the kids from Romeo and Juliet and 16th century Verona, Italy, West Side Story is about young people just trying to find a place in time and space, finding a new way of living away from the dumb prejudices of their elders. They almost break free too.


Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood are wonderful as the two lovers, Wood is very heartfelt and Marni Nixon's singing for her is the very definition of angelic. One of my favourite scenes was the opening sequence as the film opens with aerial shots establishing the setting and clearly illustrates the working-class neighbourhood of New York City during the 1950's- one that is hard for the modern world and youth to visualise. I particularly love how the Riff at the beginning is portrayed through a dance number along with the soundtrack to demonstrate tension. I feel as though sometimes musicals can be particularly hard to watch due to the constant interruption in action from singing and dancing, however, I really enjoyed West Side Story and would recommend it to others particularly my own age. This is due to the vivid imagery as it clearly captures the vibrant atmosphere of the late 1950s where rival youth gangs retaliate in the streets of New York City.

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