Review of West Side Story (1961) by John S — 16 Jan 2012

It's accessibility may be in question nowadays, as many (immature) people may find most of the musical numbers laughable. And personally, I found most of the actors to be dry and melodramatic (yeah, I know it's a musical, but it's a film not a stage play, and most actors forget that)aside from a few tender moments.

But where West Side Story succeeds is it's absolutely gut-wrenching power and ferocity. It's gritty, ugly, and painful, so you feel just like the kids do. If judging this as an adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the ending feels a bit short.

It's tragic but it's not Shakespeare-tragic. But on it's own, the entire story is a tear-jerking powerhouse that grip your emotions and not let go.