Why propose 60 years later a new film adaptation of what some consider a masterpiece? To this question, the answer is simple: why not? Yes A Star Is Born has already had four versions on the big screen so far, West Side Story can certainly support a second. Especially when a master like Steven Spielberg signs the realization.
Screenwriter Tony Kushner (Angels in America) has kept the same time frame (the plot is set in 1957, the year the musical premiered on stage on Broadway), but it puts forward an axis of the story approached more discreetly in the work original. The first plans thus show us buildings that are demolished to make way for the upcoming construction of Lincoln Center and condo buildings, obviously inaccessible to citizens who will be evicted from the neighborhood. The Jets gang, made up of young whites from modest backgrounds, and the Sharks gang, made up of immigrants from Puerto Rico, are killing each other for control of a territory that will soon disappear.
Even if he had never tackled a musical yet, Steven Spielberg displays his mastery of directing by favoring a more realistic approach, although the viewer must obviously first accept the conventions related to the genre. In this regard, the director of Lincoln has remained faithful to the original work. Justin Peck’s beautifully filmed choreography has also been redesigned in the style of the time.
Sixty years later, the themes tackled in Arthur Laurents’ libretto remain fiercely current. Racism, urban violence, street gangs, gentrification, idleness, the divide of social classes and the illusion of the American dream characterize a story inspired by the classic Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare.
A respectful approach
Also, this new version highlights an excellent cast, made up of young performers closer to the age of the protagonists, and also from the same ethnic origin. Spielberg voluntarily chose to put the English language and the Spanish language on an equal footing (passages in the language of Cervantes are not subtitled in the original version), out of respect for Latin American culture.
IMAGE PROVIDED BY 20TH CENTURY STUDIOS
Ansel Elgort (Tony) and Rachel Zegler (Maria) in new adaptation of West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg
It is also worth highlighting the multiple talents of these performers (no voice has been dubbed, unlike the previous version), all excellent dancers. Rachel Zegler (Maria), Ansel Elgort (Tony), Ariana DeBose (Anita) and David Alvarez (Bernardo) stand out in particular.
That said, the best find of this new adaptation lies in the creation of a character expressly devoted to Rita Moreno. Oscar winner in 1962 thanks to her performance as the fiery Anita in the first adaptation, the actress here plays Valentina, Puerto Rican widow of Doc, the gringo owner of the restaurant where Tony works. In addition to bridging the gap between the two feature films and between the two communities, Valentina is the one we entrusted Somewhere, one of the flagship songs of this musical whose musics are signed Leonard Bernstein and the lyrics, Stephen Sondheim. Its interpretation, all in simplicity and emotion, is worth to us one of the most touching passages of this film.
It is not said that this new version will outclass in the collective imagination the West Side Story of 1961, anchored there for decades, but Steven Spielberg was right to want to refresh a work which deserves to be transmitted to new generations. He wins his bet hands down.
Indoors
Commusical edi
West Side Story
Steven spielberg
With Rachel Zegler, Ansel Elgort, Ariana DeBose
2 h 36