Review of West Side Story (1961) by Joseph W — 10 Oct 2011

Well now, that was unexpected. First of all, it should be noted that although it remains a landmark not only in the world of musicals but in contemporary cinema as a whole, I hadn't any desire to see a modern gang riddled Romeo and Juliet set in New York.

However.. I was simply wrong. Yes, you heard me right. I, Steve Gilbeau, was wrong. This easily takes a place among the greatest film experiences of my relatively short, movie going existence. While Shakespeare's classic romance provides the basic skeletal structure for this song and dance filled epic, the real heart of the story stays grounded in the tension between class wars and racial discrimination.

Yes, all of what you have probably seen while surfing through Turner Classic Movies and various dvd previews is here [cheesy gang fights, snapping, and tough guy dance numbers], but the drama is remarkably real and moving.

I say this, honestly and unashamedly, that I spent the last half hour in tears. This is powerful filmmaking, and as great a film as any I have ever seen.