There is even a first time for star directors: “West Side Story” is Steven Spielberg’s musical film debut, who turns 75 today (more below). Probably the most important praise came before the premiere: Stephen Sondheim (1930–2021), the great musical innovator, said before his death on November 26th that he liked Spielberg’s adaptation better than the one from 1961. In 1957, “West Side Story” premiered on broadway. The lyrics came from Sondheim, then 27.
But does Spielberg also make the average cinema fan watch and listen? Yes. And he succeeds more. It’s easy to open your heart here to the tragic love of Tony and Maria. Spielberg first captivates with visual brilliance, then he takes you by the hand as if for a dance through the Manhattan of the 50s. He won’t let go of her anymore.
Wonderful discoveries
Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet” was the inspiration for the material. So in 2021, too, it will be about the lowest as well as the purest aspects of human nature. On the West Side, young Puerto Ricans battle young New Yorkers. When Tony (Ansel Elgort) and the migrant Maria (Rachel Zegler) fall in love, the hatred increases. He recorded Maria’s brother Bernardo (David Alvarez), most recently his girlfriend Anita (Ariana DeBose) and Tony’s friend Riff (Mike Faist). Except for the established Elgort, these roles are filled with grandiose discoveries. If Elgort sings “Maria” alone, one thinks he is very good. But if Zegler uses “Tonight”, she sings it on the wall.
Spielberg shapes her fate like a cinematic echo chamber of the musical spirit. Changes in tempos, rhythm and emotions exude live flair and give Leonard Bernstein’s great music space to breathe. Spielberg uses the camera and backdrop to showcase the art of cinema: you can experience choreos, faces and details very closely – clouds of dust and dancing lights. However, Spielberg did not really smash the material, but rather adapted it a little.
One can criticize that as too faithful to the works. Or you see it as a gift – a love letter from the cinema to a world musical.
“West Side Story”: USA 2021, 156 Min., S. Spielberg
OÖN rating:
The trailer for the film:
Source: Nachrichten
