Review of West Side Story (1961) by Hannah M — 03 Mar 2012

This modern adaption of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet sets the story in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, between American teenagers and their Puerto Rican rivals. The story remains essentially the same; a guy from one gang falls in love with a girl from the other at a time of gang warfare.

Only the lyrical theatrics are here replaced with modern musical numbers and a fair bit of interpretative dance. West Side Story has an undeniable energy about it which fills the songs with excitement and propels the plot forward.

At 2 hours 30 minutes, it isn't short by any accounts, but the enthusiasm which it brings to the screen prevents it from being boring. 10 Oscar nominations secured its place as a classic, though such overwhelming acclaim is perhaps lost on a modern audience.

Whereas it succeeds at being a fast paced and enjoyable rendition, taking race-relation issues in its stride, it falls rather flat in places, with few very memorable songs.