Review of West Side Story (1961) by Tim L — 20 Oct 2009

Probably one of the best musicals there is, the wonderful West Side Story was in many ways ahead of it's time, yet in other ways perfectly placed there. Whilst it may look rather tame by today's standards; it was the first musical (to my mind) that really tried to inject some realism and drama into what had become rather a staid Vauderville theatre experience.

The music is just breath-taking and the acting and singing suffers from none of the over-polished, theatre-school style that usually send me running from musicals as fast as my feet will carry me. An excellent film, on a parr with Rebel without a Cause for capturing the 'birth of the teenager' in the 1950's, and on parr with South Pacific or Les Miserable for perfect songwriting.