Never doubt Steven Spielberg. What a stunning remake of the classic. Undeniably gorgeously shot by Janusz Kamiński and expertly updated and adapted by Tony Kushner, this musical film remained emotionally heart wrenching and indescribably catchy. Spielberg captured the electrical energy of the Jets and the Sharks without ever seeming goofy or unrealistic, but at the same time also creating an undercurrent of emotional tenderness that swelled and crested as Tony and Maria’s story threaded through the rhythms and rhymes of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim.
Rachel Zegler was a wonderful discovery, all bright-eyed and innocent naïveté. Ansel Elgort had a good singing voice and was a decent Tony but he lacked that dangerous edge; more dreamboat than edgy catamaran. Their chemistry though palpable was not electrifying as it could be.
Mike Faist as Riff and David Alvarez as Bernardo were the other standouts, and Rita Moreno would be another potential oscar nominee just because of nostalgia and she got to sing “Somewhere”.
“West Side Story” is surely going to be another Spielberg Oscar juggernaut, but whether it will do a “The Post” and “Lincoln” and pick up none to a few wins, or hark back to the days of “Schindler’s List” and sweep will be hard to say. Without much acting support, it might end up doing a “Mad Max: Fury Road” and sweep the technicals, although “Dune” might give it a run for that honour.
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