West Side Story - A Movie Review

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"West Side Story" is a romantic musical tragedy that was released in 1961. The screenplay is written by Ernest Lehman, adapted from the 1957 Broadway musical of the same name, inspired by Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, it won an astonishing 10 Oscars including Best Picture. With a budget of $6 million it has a return at the box office of $44.1 million. Most reviews were positive. CAST Natalie Wood - Maria Marni Nixon - Maria's Singing Voice Richard Beymer - Tony Jimmy Bryant - Tony's Singing Voice Russ Tamblyn - Riff Tucker Smith - Ice/Riff's Singing Voice for the "Jet Song" Rita Moreno - Anita Betty Wand - Anita's Singing Voice for "A Boy Like That" George Chakiris - Bernardo Simon Oakland - Police Lt. Schrank William Bramley - Police Sergeant Krupke Ned Glass - Doc It's the summer of 1957 and there is friction between the Puerto Rican gang, the Sharks, led by Bernardo and the white American gang, the Jets, led by Riff. A fight starts and Officer Krupke and Lieutenant Schrank come and break it up. The Jets decide to challenge the Sharks to a rumble at the dance in the gym which is neutral territory. Even though Tony has left the group, Riff decides that since he is the co-founder of the the Jets, that he should fight. The Jets don't think that Tony belongs in the group any more; but Riff tells them that once your a Jet you stay a Jet. Tony works at a local store owned by Doc; and Riff goes there to try and persuade him to go to the dance. Tony isn't interested in any conflict between the two groups and tells Riff that he thinks something big is going to happen. Out of loyalty Tony reconsiders and decides to go to the dance. Maria, Bernardo's sister is talking to Anita, Bernardo's girlfriend and telling her that nothing exciting ever happens and how she's excited about the dance. Later at the dance the groups don't intermingle even though Glad Hand, the chaperone, tries to get them to mix. Across the dance floor Maria and Tony see each other and fall in love. They begin to dance; but Bernardo breaks it up and tells Maria to go home and Tony to stay away from his sister. Tony leaves but is in a happy haze. You must see this movie if only to listen to the music. The music is not invasive and fits right in with the dialogue. George Chakiris and Rita Moreno carry this movie since Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer are pretty much eye candy. Natalie can't sing and doesn't dance very well. Regardless, I think you will enjoy this movie and want not only the movie itself but the soundtrack...and you'll definitely want to see how it all turns out. This movie definitely gets a "yes" from me! This movie is rated PG. If you want to read more of my movie reviews, click on the green bar above that reads, "movie review". Thank you. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons