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In 1957, the original production of West Side Story first appeared on Broadway. Written by Arthur Laurents, with songs by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, the updated Romeo and Juliet reimagining became a popular production—which, just four years later, was then adapted into the most Oscar-winning musical to date.
The film follows as the tension between rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks grows out of control in their New York City neighborhood. The Jets’ outspoken leader, Riff (Russ Tamblyn), has had enough—so, after the next neighborhood dance, he plans to call a war council between the two groups, to plan a fight for their territory.
As he prepares for battle, Riff is counting on the support of his old friend and fellow Jet, Tony (Richard Beymer)—but Tony doesn’t want to get involved. He just wants to move on with his life. When he meets Maria (Natalie Wood), the sister of Sharks leader Bernardo (George Chakiris), at the dance, Tony decides that it’s time to walk away from the gang for good. But he soon finds that walking away won’t be easy.
West Side Story is a bright and spirited musical, complete with a charming cast and a soundtrack full of unforgettable songs. It’s sweet and romantic and (of course) ultimately tragic—but it also throws in plenty of cultural touches, providing a look at the hopes, the dreams, and the challenges of immigrant life in the ‘50s.
From Natalie Wood as the sweet yet naïve Maria and Richard Beymer as her determined young lover, Tony, to my personal favorite—Rita Moreno in her Oscar-winning role as Maria’s feisty, outspoken friend, Anita—the cast offers up plenty of noteworthy performances.
Meanwhile, though it may seem a bit strange to see a pack of young hoods performing graceful choreography while singing about life in a gang, there’s just something youthful—and playful—about the lively musical numbers. And songs like the dynamic “America,” the dreamy “Maria,” and the whimsical “I Feel Pretty” are the kind of songs that you’ll never forget. At the same time, though, many of the musical numbers are pretty long—which may seem like overkill for anyone who prefers story to music—and they definitely contribute to the film’s lengthy 152-minute runtime. But they’re still sure to have you tapping your toes and singing along.
While its runtime is somewhat overwhelming—and the melodrama is sometimes a bit overdone—the music and the characters of West Side Story will keep you coming back again and again. So whether you’re a long-time fan or a first-time viewer, you won’t be disappointed if you pick up a copy of this Oscar-winning musical classic on Blu-ray.
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