REVIEW: WEST SIDE STORY

4/5

Maria, Maria.

156 Mins. Starring: Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Corey Stoll & Rita Moreno. Director: Steven Spielberg. 

Tonight, tonight like a Smashing Pumpkin, Steven Spielberg reminds us of a 1961 'West Side Story'. Just like when the Project G&B sang about 'Maria, Maria' from Spanish Harlem with Wyclef Jean and the guitar played by Carlos Santana. "Living her life just like a movie star." This Broadway theatrical adaptation of Shakespeare's great lovers tragedy 'Romeo and Juliet' climbs up the fire escape like "where art thou" for a modern twist on the vine, straight out of the gun chamber of Baz Luhrmann drawing swords with Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. And this is a great one too. The legendary Steven Spielberg changed the American Dream of Hollywood with creature features like 'Jaws', 'E.T.' and 'Jurassic Park'. Of late he's entered more seasoned dramatic territory with 'Lincoln', 'Bridge Of Spies' and his 'War Horse' adaptation. But this one straight from the stage into his war chest is a different direction like 'Ready Player One' for the 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'Schindlers List' director. One that even though looking straight out of the swinging sixties, feeling pretty, still gives us the real feel of liking to live in America, to this day. Everything is NOT free. Regrettably that is a notion that is all too true as of right now and for the foreseeable future. Sadly, this musical conceived by Jerome Robbins with music from Leonard Bernstein (cue the R.E.M. song for this end of the world as we know it) and the book by Arthur Laurents (this screenplay is playwritten by Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Kushner of 'Angels In America' fame and acclaim) comes also at another timely moment with the recent passing of the late great, lyrical genius to all this, Stephen Sondheim. The classic Broadway composer who was recently portrayed by 'The West Wing's' Bradley Whitford in the Academy of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Netflix biopic on another late, great composer (in 'Rent' maker Jonathan Larson), 'Tick, Tick...BOOM!' Starring an explosive for the Best Actor Oscar, also 'Angels In America's' Andrew Garfield (of 'The Eyes Of Tammy Faye' supporting deserving double). Sondheim appeared via voicemail cameo in this movie aswell, just weeks before he passed. So this like this West Side connection is for him. For Stephen. 

'Hamilton' composer Miranda had a boat load of musicals trying to take center stage. From 'Tick, Tick', to the criminally underrated 'In The Heights'. But nothing can take this story's spotlight. Race relations in the movies need a lot more right now than kids sticking it to each other with dance moves and flick knives out. But this coming of age, tragic cautionary take really does step out on its own, moving to a beat in kind. Spiking the prom punch with a stare down dance off that challenges the cell structure of an 'Avengers vs X-Men' comic. All before all take to the floor under the backboards similar to basketball teams. Cutting more rugs than furniture stores. With the wallflowers shyly stone staring at this music as if they were chairs. But taking each others hands behind the back of the bleachers 'Baby Driver' Ansel Elgort dancing away from grade school controversy and live-action 'Snow White' to be (not to mention the super 'Shazam' sequel) Rachel Zegler, outrun and dwarf that all. The skinny tie and tweed in harmony with a white dress and red bow combination moving together in perfect time. Holding their arms out on the billboard of this poster from Times Square to all around the world, looking like their holding the American flag up. Just like the fire escape one of Ansel's arms and legs wrapped around the railings of Ariana's apartment, like they wish they could her. Hanging on to that line like the washing, as the pair are already entwined in heart. A subtle, but profound gesture for the flag as these Polish-American and Puerto Rican gangs vye the top of San Juan Hill. All as the buildings and tenements of Manhattan's West Side come crumbling down around them. Just like our real life borders and divides in a movie that seeks to bring people together with a welcoming embrace, like the inclusion of an LGBT character that doesn't tiptoe or box tick around the issue. Making these NFL sounding Jets vs Sharks a cinematic touchdown set to move more millions than a Superbowl commercial. Even with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige performing together at halftime. 

1957 musicals have never sounded like this. This is gold, no sap for Amblin Entertainment. From it's New York world premier at the Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Theatre (the same place the characters neighbourhood turf was fictionally demolished for in the movie), just three days after Sondheim's death, to it's seven nominations for the 94th Academy Awards before it makes its way to every household with a Disney +, this March 2nd (can't wait to watch it with you back home in England to Japan, my 'rents). To love one another may just be the fight of our lives. And this is it. Like two star-crossed as we lay our scene a little west of fair Verona with more than one perfect shot amongst all the classic choreography. Like the look of love above taking hand. A slick as his hair Elgort evokes every engrossing emotion. Whilst an amazing Zegler with a gentle grace no cruelty could corrupt is the new face of movies. The pair are fireworks, from the lovers escape to the tragic canon like Romeo and Juliet wine. But it's the combination and passion of this movies power couple that really wins out and has your heart. Tony Award winner and 'Billy Elliott' theatre star David Alvarez makes the small screen (nine episodes under his belt with 'American Rust') to big one transition. Off the stage and into the rose throws of our heart like '...BOOM!' scene stealer and 'In The Heights' Broadway star Robin de Jesús. But it's the amazing Ariana DeBose ('Motown: The Musical', 'A Bronx Tale' (the musical) and 'Hamilton') in all her power that lifts up the whole Academy in production here with her 'Best Supporting Actress' deserved turn. And wait until she takes it to the floor...or the middle of a street in need of a burst fire hydrant as New York turns into the Summer hot melting pot it proudly is. What her character goes through and what she does is on another level. Like the aggravated anxiety of the original 'Dear Evan Hansen's' Mike Faist and his incredible pistol duel of dance with Ansel, as they both handle the six-shooter like they were handcuffed to it. Pow. Pow. But for a class cast that feature an always great Corey Stoll (but this time with a full head of hair like this writer can only dream) as a cop, by the script, the real revival of 'West Side Story' is bringing Rita Moreno back. From 1961 to 2021, the 'Singin' In The Rain' and 'The King and I' star is an icon and gives this film more than its authenticity, but the bruised soul of its beating heart. From the Golden Age of Hollywood to this next generation, showing us that like the themes of this theatrical remake, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Sometimes, like the classics that's a good thing, but in other cases it's part of the epidemic social disease spreading before corona in this planet pandemic. Until we carry each other above our heads, instead of trying to leave each other dead in the street, we won't leave the gutter. Skyscrapers bloom in America. Cadillacs zoom in America. Industry boom in America. Life can be bright in America. If you can fight FOR America. Hand-in-hand. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'West Side Story (1961)', 'Tick, Tick...BOOM!', 'In The Heights'.