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Don't Believe the Hype

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

The acting in this movie is really good.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Racism, xenophobia, sexism, a little dash of homophobia, violence and absolutely loads of toxic masculinity. Partially redeemed by Maria's soliloquy at the end about "hatred", although the writers didn't really have the words that we do now to name the all the hatreds.Of course the music is beyond brilliant, but otherwise this movie's best feature these days is as a reminder how far our society has progressed - and of how much further we have to go.

This is an appealing musical about the feuding New York gangs of the Jets and the Sharks. While battling who gets to take charge of the streets, the gang members all happen to attend the same dance event one night. There, Tony (Richard Beymer) meets Maria (Natalie Wood) and falls in love. However, their relationship are complicated by their sides' continuing feud.The actors' singing were splendidly done and the New York working class setting gives off just the right mood in the film.The movie was fast-paced and suspenseful. From the gangs' riff to Tony and Maria's forbidden love, both plot points blend in well in the film. The movie also touches the sensitivity of prejudice and race, but in a way that is suitable for a general audience. A powerful message and lesson are sent in the film as well.Many popular and classic songs are heard, from the "Jet Song" to "America" and from "Tonight" to "I Feel Pretty." A show-stopping music score by Leonard Bernstein and unforgettable dance numbers. Have to give a mention to Natalie Wood and Rita Moreno, as they were both really charming and stunning in the film.Definitely one of the most iconic films in pop culture history.Grade B+

New York, 1950s. Maria (Natalie Wood) and Tony (Richard Beymer) are two youngsters in two rival gangs, the Sharks and Jets, respectively. They meet and fall in love. This will have fateful consequences.Dull. I dislike musicals (though there are exceptions, Chicago and The Sound of Music being among them) and West Side Story is a great example of why. The overly theatrical acting, random musical detours, campy music and acting, style instead of substance, musical interludes instead of a good plot. Here the music actually detracts from the plot, as it is hard to imagine these being tough gang members when they are constantly singing and flamboyantly dancing around! Watch or read the real deal, Romeo and Juliet, instead. To call this an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet does Shakespeare a massive injustice.

I really like the Shawshank Redemption. It was a very good movie. However it is not in the same universe as West Side Story (and many other movies prior to 1961). West Side Story is certainly one of the best musicals of all time, maybe the best. As such it is on a higher plane than most movies ever made. The music is from Leonard Bernstein, maybe the best American composer ever. It was ground-breaking film.Also it was the first major film that dealt with cultural issues that we are still dealing with today. So West Side Story was an amazing, enduring movie with wonderful music. I don't think you can ask for better than that.