West Side Story

[Gilly Goodness]

Can't remember the first time I heard/ saw the film. Maybe 5 years old. Our house had a few soundtracks, Sound of Music, Man from La Mancha, Camelot and WSS. Albums of 1 great song after another.

Thought Maria was the most beautiful girl in the world. Poor Natalie Wood, raped by Douglas, probably killed by Wagner.

Great fingersnappin' choreography. Great wisecracks. So when I first saw the updated trailer on YT thought why? Seemed to be identical.

So beyond excited to see real Puerto Ricans as Peurto Ricans. Supposedly the cinematography is amazing. Love letter to NY. Fave song? Probly Somewhere. Sung by Tom Waits. All the feels.

So what are you lookin' forward to?



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[luna65]

I'm more of a fan of movie musicals than their theatrical counterparts, so I'm interested in seeing this version. I believe I was a kid when I first watched the original movie as well. As far as favorite song, I'd say "Something's Coming" and my favorite rendition is Babs, naturally. But "Cool" is also a great moment in the story.

[Gilly Goodness]

Yep. Even the non tentpole songs are great. Officer Krapowski. Etc. Enjoyed the Greatest Showman for song and emotion. Of course this will be even more tragic. Imagine not knowing the ending in the day. Somber. But without Tony's death you don't get Somewhere. So there's that. Sondheim was 21 when he wrote the lyrics? Incredible.


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[Skankindead]

I've never actually seen West Side Story before. Perhaps I'll see the new movie eventually, I'm not actually super into watching movies. I usually only watch big releases in theatres, and even at home I'm content with Youtube. I'm even less into watching plays - having to sit and be quiet to be respectful is not really my thing. But I've certainly heard good things about it - not to mention my sister and I used to always imitate the snapping-and-circling thing they did despite not having seen it. Something Coming's obviously a great song - it feels kind of like cheating to pick that as my favorite song because Yes did a great cover of it.

[Gilly Goodness]

Yeah expect Disney to stream it in a few months on Disney+

Got 5 stars in Peter Bradshaw's Guardian review. As always fun to read comments below. Someone noted this apparent exchange on Frasier back in the
day.


Frasier: You never let me watch West Side Story when I was eight!

Dad: Because gangs are scary for kids.

Frasier: Really ? Even gangs that dance?

Dad: Especially gangs that dance!



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[Ceasar’s Palace]

I’ve never seen the film, but I think I’m going to. Not the new one.

[Gilly Goodness]

You can actually watch the original film on youtube in 10 minute segments. Strikingly modern in terms of cinematography, sound design etc . Won 10 Oscars in its day.


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[Ceasar’s Palace]

You can actually watch the original film on youtube in 10 minute segments. Strikingly modern in terms of cinematography, sound design etc . Won 10 Oscars in its day.


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Oh, that’s great!

[Ash Armstrong]

It's a brilliant film, directed by Robert Wise (Sound of Music, Andromeda Strain, Star Trek: the Motion Picture). I've seen it a couple of times on the big screen at independent cinemas.

I went to see Leonard Bernstein conduct his Candide, based on Voltaire's novella, at the Barbican in December 1989. I got to meet him the next day at a signing session at Tower Records in Piccadilly Circus, and got my CD of West Side Story signed, along with a couple of his Mahler recordings. I have never before or since been in the presence of someone with so much charisma.
Eight months later he died. At the time the country was suffering a flu epidemic, dubbed the 'Royal flu', and Lenny caught it, but soldiered in. A week or so after the two Barbican concerts he conducted Beethoven's 9th Symphony in Berlin, the famous 'Ode to Freedom' performance celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall with an orchestra comprised of musicians from both East and West Berlin. I'm certain that catching that flu hastened his end.

[Ash Armstrong]

[RelayerI]

Firstly, I should declare that I hate musicals. I just can't get on with the format and struggle to get past my finding it ridiculous. Mrs Relayer, however, loves them so I've seen quite a few.

Secondly, I'm not really a fan of Spielberg. I find his view of American childhood with the pudding bowl haircut blond kid cloying and mawkish, something that creeps into much of his other output, with or without kids. Such is my dislike, I abandoned Stranger Things (which isn't his) within ten minutes because it reminded me too much of Spielberg's stuff. He rather obviously wouldn't be my choice of film maker.

So, West Side Story ? I've seen it multiple times and although it's really not my kind of thing, I have opinions -

It's pretty much perfect. The script, set design, choreography, cinematography, cast, performance and the music. It's superb. It's better than that. It's that rare film thing - it's art.

So, any remake, especially one so faithful to look and period, is absolutely not required. I can see no valid reason apart from the makers vanity and hubris for this. I've seen very good reviews and it's obviously been done with an eye to quality and authenticity, but why ? Would there be any reason to remake Star Wars, The Godfather or even...Jaws ?

This remake may be well done. It may be good. Even if it is, it's unnecessary, it's bound to be inferior and beyond probably making some money, it's absolutely pointless.

[Ash Armstrong]

Speaking of musicals, I've this week bought a 3-film DVD set of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific, The King and I, and Oklahoma for only £6, and the BRD of Tim Burton's film version of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd.

[Gilly Goodness]

When I first heard about a remake, thought it must be an updated hip hop adventure with mobile phones and tinder. But he's gone full blown historic.


Supposedly every actor sings with their own voice, though.



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[RelayerI]

When I first heard about a remake, thought it must be an updated hip hop adventure with mobile phones and tinder. But he's gone full blown historic.

That absolutely would have been a valid choice. A new take, a different setting, whatever.

It would have probably been crap though...

[michelforest]

It's the only musical that I can watch and really enjoy. Musicals get on my nerves, because the music is usually very corny . But WSS is simply fantastic. I loved the original but this remake looks incredible and I will certainly see it. That, and Joel Coen's Macbeth with Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. I saw the trailer yesterday and I was *amazed*.