West Side Story (2021) - Film Review

Spielberg, the master, has done it yet again! Scream it from your fire escapes! West Side Story is the most beautiful film you will see this decade! Finally! The two greatest Ste(v)(ph)ens are together AT LAST!!!! Sondheim and Spielberg!!!!

What can I say?! A beautiful film! Methodical, inventive, and unbelievably exciting! We all know the incredible score by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by the unmatchable Stephen Sondheim (May he rest in glorious peace!). It’s a masterpiece in musical theatre history. A story of love, hate, and humanity. And now, for the second time, a masterpiece in film. The greatest Spielberg has put out in years.

Let’s talk production design. With a beautiful opening shot revealing the clearing of land for the beautiful Lincoln Center in NYC. Painting a devastating picture of gentrification setting the scene in a massive way. This set was built with excruciating detail and sets us up for a fully immersive experience. You are invested at soon as we fade in and a lot of that is thanks to Adam Stockhausen!

Script. Wow. Fresh and exciting! Adding some incredible moments and taking away some of the awkwardness of the original. Bravo Tony Kushner for reinvigorating this amazing story by Arthur Laurents!

Costumes. Elegant, bright, and captivating! Lovely details and perfect colors on each character. Paul Tazewell has created a color pallet far more intriguing than the original.

Cinematography. Get out of here! I can’t even express emotion! I’m speechless. Honestly one of the most brilliant collections of images I have even laid my bare eyes upon! There is light constantly directed at the camera lens creating an ethereal feeling of emotional love and uncontainable excitement. I cried several times out of the sheer beauty of this film. When Tony steps in the puddle and the camera captures him from above and he looks like he’s floating in a magical sea. Least we forget the “America” scene. A triumph in capturing a musical number on screen. I could hardly bear watching it it was so beautiful. Janusz Kaminski is one of, if not the greatest… and his collaboration with Spielberg is magic.

The editing is superb. Full of class. Sarah Broshar and Michael Kahn my hat off to both of you.

Choreography. Justin Peck has awoken what I hope is the beginning of true, intense, and original classic musical theatre dance back to the screen! Jerome Robbins would be proud. Brilliant! All the movement choreography is just stunning as well. I can’t get over “America” and that gun choreo!

Acting. Wow. Rachel Zegler embodied Maria! What a wonderful actress and beautiful singer. She captured Maria’s innocence, along with her fire and passion to thrive in America! Ansel Elgort can sing?!? What?!? And he has a great voice?! Surprised me! I think he was a great choice to play Tony. Although questionable, I believe Spielberg had a method to his madness here. Casting someone he believed could play Tony a bit aloof and lost in his own world, almost confused by himself, yet carries themselves strongly. The boy can face too, who knew?! Ariana DeBose has got IT! Whatever that thing people say you need to make it, she has IT!!! She’s a star, a triple threat all the way. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s nominated. I’m very excited to hopefully see her in a lot more. David Alvarez was on fire. What a passionate portrayal of Bernardo. As well as Mike Faist as Riff. These boys are powerhouses and they drove this movie hooommee! Amazing and I hope to see them in more as well. Something about Faist that I can’t put my finger on, but he is very intriguing to watch on screen, you don’t want to take your eyes off of him. A nice role for my man Brian d'Arcy James! Loved him in this role, such a great and underrated actor. Last but not least, the incomparable Rita Moreno. Another who might be nominated. Playing the role that would’ve been doc in the original. The scene where she was teaching Tony Spanish to talk to Maria was lovely. And she sings “There’s a place for us!” Holy crap, can’t get over it. And she executive produced!!

And finally…directing. Steven Spielberg is not of this earth. This film is a masterpiece on his slate of masterpieces. There’s a reason every director looks up to him, any genre he touches he reinvents it! AMAZING!!! Genius comes to mind. This film has been a dream of his to remake since he was a child, dedicated to his recently deceased father. The direction is vigorously clear and unbelievable creative and every scene showed this. As I said, there has never been a musical filmed this way. One of my favorite scenes, direction-wise, was when Tony and Maria are on the fire escape and the are all these barriers in their way and the whole scene is this beautiful dance. The way it is directed feels so intentional and yet effortless. Something only Spielberg could pull off in a scene like this. This man is mid - 70ies and continues to push himself further than he’s been before.

Sondheim and Spielberg have been the two biggest creative influences in my life and I have been dreaming for years and years that they someday might work together. My dreams have come true and sitting in the theatre felt like this film was made just for 15 year old me. I cried several times, even after an emergency fire evacuation. We went back in and finished it. In IMAX no less.

This is going to be the top contender at the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director.

Do you ever wonder what true versatility means? Wonder no more. It’s Steven Spielberg!

Dance your way into the theatre and support the hell out of this film!