West Side Story reviewed by Mark Kermode

[@NateGH36O]

I went in with lower expectations, having LOVED the original film (also being a musical theater student myself, I have very high opinions of the original source material), and walked out being quite blown away by it. Speilberg has a clear love of the source material and most of the changes that are made are ones that won't, as Mark said, alienate fans of the original. Or at least in my case they didn't. I think the major difference between this film and the original is that this is a more gritty and realistic take on WSS, whereas the original movie is a more stylized, true-to-heart take on it. Both are completely valid, and both achieve what they set out to do.

[@icnocuicatl]

This was exactly my opinion

[@gpapa31]

How did you find the ending? Personally I felt it was underwhelming and it ruined kind of the movie for me. From the moment Tony reacts with a cartoonish look upon the news of Maria’s death till the moment Maria was crying over his dead body I just didn’t feel the emotional gut punch that Natalie Wood delivered in the original. Note: not that I cried in the original either, still felt Beymer and Wood were the weakest links in that story as well, but in this one I felt that moment was even worse. Which makes it really really unfair as I found the move absolutely exceptional, it’s the climax that has made me sceptical and shy of giving it a very high score. Did you feel the same? If not how did you see the ending?

[@Christopher-kl5dm]

Totally agree with you. Well observed. The ‘grittiness’ for me gave it the edge over the original. Use of muted colour at the start was a nice touch. Loved the choreography. I found it exciting and it gave me goosebumps. Especially ‘America’.

[@jameswilson8216]

@@gpapa31 I felt the same, but the rest of the movie left me speechless I couldn’t speak after it ended

[@Christopher-kl5dm]

I’m going to give Ansell Elgort credit for his portrayal. He showed the naïveté of the character, the total enveloping of love, the foolishness of youth, the hopes and dreams and the tragedy. I think he nailed it, and, the boy can really sing.

[@antonimartinez9961]

Completely miscast. Couldn't sing in the musical style, and Ansel really just played the same character he always does.

[@thehound1359]

Disagree with the singing. He’s an ok singer and was able to get through the songs but I wasn’t blown away by it. Now Rachel Zegler, that girl could sing.

[@iluvjohnny08]

Completely agree with you! Thought he was fantastic

[@film79]

He was naïve to the point where it was incredibly difficult to believe he had just served a couple years in prison or that he’d ever spent time with a gang.

[@Ray03595]

@@film79 thats kind of just how Tony is written tbh. but at the same time, we do see him kill Bernardo ragefully and he does talk about trying to resist being the type of person he was before prison.

[@TheTweedyBiologist]

I love Simon's reaction to musicals: "Why are you singing? Why are you clicking your fingers?" 😂

[@WhiteWolf496]

Exactly how I feel about them lol

[@williamgardiner2010]

Rank ignorance from Simon. It’s a signature for the show and taken by Arthur Laurent’s from the streets of 1950s New York at the time. Jerome Robbins then put it the show. Much like the bottle dance in Fiddler on the Roof. Robbins a secular Jewish guy went to a Hasidic wedding in Brooklyn and noticed men placing a bottle on their hats and dancing. He stuck it in the famous dance sequence .

[@adamzanzie]

@@williamgardiner2010 That's not "rank ignorance". Some people just don't like musicals. Musicals were a lot more popular back in the 1950's/1960's than they are today, because many of today's audiences have a harder time believing singing and dancing in movies. Hence why this particular musical adaptation is so accomplished, because it may appeal to moviegoers who normally wouldn't go to musicals.

[@paulleverton9569]

@@adamzanzie I'm one of them. I do not understand the reason for musicals and I hate them.

[@janreuter7984]

@@paulleverton9569 Musicals are just like operas, just with pop/jazz-songs istead of classical arias. Or are you also not understanding the reason for operas? With music you can just show the feelings/inner lifes of the characters better, than just with words. That's it. Why go to a rock concert, if the artist could just read a poem instead?

[@gary6514]

Watched the film this afternoon. Superbly directed and great sets and an authentic feel of NYC in the 50s. I read some negative reviews regarding Algort but I thought his performance was very good.

[@eyesandearseditions]

Team Mark

[@garethglover9977]

Algort was superb, Mark has lost the plot here, totally

[@NateGH36O]

I didn't like his singing because he was clearly autotuned, but I surprisingly thought his acting was great.

[@MadameCorgi]

Tony is fairly bland but he did a reasonably good job with it, but I wouldn't rate him as highly as Anita, Riff, Valentina, Maria or Bernardo

[@moonflower1759]

A lot of the backlash also has to do with that guy being an absolute creep in real life tho, I personally don't feel comfortable watching this for that reason alone

[@marcjoseph2722]

I TOTALLY agree. Tony can "sing" in tune and that's about as far as it goes. He doesn't know how to "act through song" and connect with the lyrica and so his performance comes across as soulless. In a musical it's not just about singing a song in tune, it's about moving the audience through making us believe the sentiment of the song. He doesn't know how to do that. The film is ok but I feel that the amazing Spielberg touch has somehow removed the soul and grit from the original. It may be cinematically awesome but it didn't stir my soul like the original.

[@vandercecil9449]

Finally someone wrote a review that fits with the picture tanking at the boxoffice...

[@Ray03595]

somethings really worked some changes I did not like. Parts of the third act felt rushed. 'Somewhere' needed to be sang by Tony/Maria instead of Rita Moreno. Natalie Wood is a better actress than Ziegler, but that shouldn't really shock anyone and it's not totally fair to someone who had this film as their debut. And final scene needed to be slower to sell Maria's anguish. The positives outweigh the negatives for me tho.

[@johnnymizanin4835]

Keep in mind, I’ve never seen the original. So this today was my first exposure to this. Elgort is pretty good. Almost everyone else is fantastic. So it’s fair to say he’s the weakest link, but I don’t think he’s A weak link.

[@gpapa31]

Richard Beymer was not good either as Tony in the 1961 film. He is way to overjoyed in most scenes and very “sugary” plus his vocals are dubbed. It seems like Tony’s character is cursed not to see a good performance by any actor. Or maybe the flaw is in the character’s write up itself,

[@sharidyer4332]

@@gpapa31 Beymer got NO direction from Robert Wise during the filming. Jerome Robbins was intent on directing the choreography. So Richard Beymer did the best he could with no help from either directors. (This according to an interview with Beymer and Chakiris.) I thought Beymer did much better than Elgort. Elgort was emotionally flat. I don't care that the 1961 vocals were dubbed. What matters is the end result, which won 10 Oscars, if I'm not mistaken. I do agree that the right actor for Tony has yet to be been picked. Beymer thought he was miscast too.

[@gpapa31]

@@sharidyer4332 For one occasion (Beymer’s acting,dancing) you do care about the guidance he received by Jerome in order to excuse him for the end result for the latter example you only care for the end result. Very convenient. ;-) Personally I only care for the end result and neither Tonys IMHO were good with few exceptions. For the emotional climax moment I prefer Beymer (ending scene). He is bad but Ansel is far far worse! That scene Wood is also far far better than Rachel as Maria. I didn’t feel Her devastation in the new one at all!! Having said that, I didn’t cry in the original either but you could feel Natalie Wood’s devastation to your bone regardless. This one on the other hand has a more faithful ending to the book. For the rest of the movie I prefer Ansel’s singing hands down, to me Is not even a contest. I agree, Ansel’s stiff and wooden acting at some points bothers me too but after watching the 1961, after a very very long time, Beymer’s overjouful cheese-wide opened eye acting also makes me cringe. If I have to force myself accepting only one, I would go with Ansel, far less cringe moments. And given his backstory in this one I can kind of buy his cold, shy and dark behaviour. The balcony scene I found that it was some much better in this one, from every aspect and Rachel and Ansel had a perfect bonding. Either way I never cared for the two main leads, I always found Tony and Maria boring so that doesn’t ruin the movie experience in any of the versions because the rest of the characters, who are by far more interesting, are exceptional in both versions. In the new on even more so I’d say. Especially Anita and Riff played by Ariana DeBose and Mike Faist respectfully absolutely killed it. Ariana should win the Oscar this year, she deserves it.

[@sharidyer4332]

@@gpapa31 As I mentioned before, Beymer got no direction from Robbins. And yes, the end result is what audiences see and hear, so that is what counts, not the outtakes, and not the number of takes it took before the director calls 'Print". The end of the "America" dance on the rooftop, in 1961, took 13 takes. Do you care? No, of course not. The actors do, but no one in the audience would have a clue about that. Same with the singing. The result counts. Marni Nixon was the ghost singer not only for Natalie Wood in 'West Side Story', but for Deborah Kerr in 'The King and I' and for Audrey Hepburn in 'My Fair Lady'. Does it change the quality of these movies? Of course not. I'm happy that Ansel Elgort can sing, and Rachels voice is awesome. But I would have preferred an actor who had some chemistry with Rachel but needed a ghost singer, to Ansel's performance. He is an excellent singer, but his acting was flat.

[@gpapa31]

@@sharidyer4332 I totally agree that the end result counts which is why I brought up the fact you used Beymer’s lack of direction by the director as an excuse for his poor performance. No matter what the process was he delivered what he delivered, and he sucked! The end. The same applies for Ansel. The difference, and I think that’s where we disagree on is that you feel overall Beymer’s “sucking” was far less and his singing much better than Ansel’s. I find that it’s the other way around with. With the exception of the last 5-7 minutes I found his acting ranging from acceptable to really good in some cases and his singing quite good. Only reason he came up as weak is due to the incredible talent he was surround with. Every actor was Broadway stage level exceptional, that was a tough act for Ansel to follow. Also I consider both versions of WSS flawed in their own right, I find the new version superior in so many ways. As a kid I grew up idolising the original film and its score (have it on both CD and vinyl). Ever since the new arrangement came out by Gustavo Dudamel and NY Philarmonic Orchestra that’s all I listen to. That of course doesn’t diminish Johnny Green’s work, after all Bernstein was THE genius behind the best music ever written for a musical play. That applies for the choreography. Robbins’ choreography is more articulate but due to Wise’s static/still cinematography it fails to engage me in the same manner as Spielberg’s/Kaminski’s camera movement within and around the dancers. It makes you feel that you’re on the dance floor with them. The con with that technique is that it fails to capture the dance act in its entirety something that Wise does so masterfully in the first one. So there’s no right or wrong just different. Personally I find Spielberg’s capture better more energetic and engaging. The only choreography that I liked more in the original was The Rumble. I found it was edgier and more intense. Every other dance act the new one takes the cake for me and it’s not even close. Especially America snd Officer Krupke

[@wakkyfodder]

There's a level of collegiality between these that is so rare these days

[@adamzanzie]

Team Simon. Ansel Elgort was awesome! "I thought he was Brando." Haha... ask Rita Moreno, she would know a thing or two about Brando.

[@ckyoga4001]

I'm with Simon Mayo - I've always loved the original and I loved this too and thought Elgort was brilliant, his voice is wonderful

[@astrosticks]

To be fair, the male lead in the original isnt the highlight of that movie either.

[@simplysing]

The comparison of Ansel to a young Brando is accurate. Ansel's portrayal is more nuanced and subtle than we typically see in musicals. But by the end I understood his choices as an actor for this role. Most realistic, honest character portrayal of Tony. Like Ansel literally walked straight out of the era he helps portray. Interesting, complex actor and singer.

[@andyhills9972]

Lovely to see them take different things away from the film - and have different perspectives, and that to be ok!

[@colinpowis3600]

Mike Faist as RIFF deserves a BSA oscar

[@fiddleandfart]

Yes, I think he's a real find. Very interesting and charismatic!

[@mrsgollum]

I thought Ansel Elgort was pretty good. His singing was really nice, and he made for a more interesting Tony than in the 1968 version. Rachel Zegler was phenomenal though. She was a really winning Maria and her voice is sublime.

[@crees1445]

I am amazed at how good Ansel Elgort is in this. Beautiful voice. Good acting. Dancing.

[@ramonecricket5183]

It's weird, 'cause Ansel Elgort will always have Baby Driver, but other than that it seems he's kind of...just there. Like a tree that never grows and bears no fruit, but you also can't manage to cut it down. He simply exists.

[@GA-1st]

I had heard that Elgort was not very good before I saw the movie. Afterwards, I thought he was quite good.. He's not GREAT, ala Brando, and doesn't have the boyish charm of a Richard Beymer, but certainly he held his own. I don't see him as a liability. The cast overall is quite strong, In fact, Zegler is a better actress than Wood. Sadly, the fact that Moreno is the only known "star" will hurt it at the box office. Otherwise, an excellent "remake." I'd easily give it a B+.

[@waynewizzing]

Could not agree more about Marks interpretation of Elgort’s performance

[@greenery0192]

I thought Ansel Elgort was very good. Not as impressive as the four other leads, but still good.

[@WordUnheard]

"West Wide Story." So clever and yet, so modest about it.

[@vj9021]

The stand out parts in the 1961 movie were Anita & Bernardo, not the movies Romeo & Juliet. Strangely I've found it true on the stage with Anita almost being the role they cast 1st, with the best performer. Maria & Tony I look for the passion in there scenes than best musical moment. So great Rita Moreno could return.

[@mysticmouse7261]

Ansel is Brando? How bizarre. He stands like he's modelling jackets and stares at Rachel like he's about to smack her.

[@petehobson1054]

My 15 year old son and his friend went to see it thinking it was a gang drama. I believe he was thinking more Deathrow Records' "West Side" than anything else. I told him it was a musical but he thought I meant it had music in it. Imagine their faces when everyone started breaking into song and dance. He and is mate suddenly felt very out of place. Needless to say I was laughing my head off when I picked them up.

[@pamelaatkinsonscats2873]

This difference of opinion makes me feel very intrigued to see it. PS: I saw it today (14/12/2021) and I’m on Team Simon, I thought it was a triumph and I thought the entire cast was great. I didn’t think Elgort was a weak link, I thought he was excellent and he has a beautiful voice.

[@chriswren42]

I've just learned that Ansel Elgort and Alden Ehrenreich are actually different people, and that Ansel Elgort isn't Miles Teller either (who, incidentally, isn't Tye Sheriden). Though, if you told me that an army of clones had been created to populate a certain type of Hollywood movies roles, I might be convinced.

[@leonkane8570]

Read a tweet that said "Elgort's lips are incredibly cinematic but everything that surrounds it is an absolute void" I agree

[@Curt_Randall]

I just don't understand that criticism. I thought Elgort's performance, singing, dancing, acting were all convincing. I had no issue with him at all. I must have seen a different cut than everyone else who is criticizing his performance. Or many of them are prejudiced because of the allegation against him offscreen.

[@leonkane8570]

@@Curt_Randall never did I brought up his past allegations and actually I’m glad that haven’t overshadowed this film, to me from the Fault in the Starts days he has been a lifeless presence, an interchangeable American dude. Dylan O’Brian, Chalamet, etc have individuality in their screen persona that imo Ansel lacks.

[@frankienesarajah]

@@leonkane8570 I mean I wouldn’t call him lifeless and interchangeable in Baby Driver, the guy was excellent in that film.

[@apseudonym]

@@leonkane8570 yes, Elgort has competition in his age group who are much more talented and much better at their jobs than he is

[@paulybarr]

@@Curt_Randall I concur totally.

[@subwayswaves928]

Nothing in the past 20 years of Spielberg's career comes remotely close to this. It's complete magic and surpasses the 1960's version in every way. "America" is the greatest scene I've watched in a cinema for maybe a decade.

[@colinpowis3600]

AMER-ICA was the centrepiece of the movie ; just compare it to the 1961 version

[@PrivateAckbar]

I'm going to see it now.

[@thehound1359]

Disagree with it surpassing the 60s version but it was still very good.

[@pun5484]

Dear Mark… Bernstein?... maybe a mention, seeing that Hack Zimmer always gets a name drop. And maybe a timely shout out to Sondheim? Can I get an Amen?

[@fiddleandfart]

Amen! Yes, but somehow, even Bernstein feels less well served in this Spielberg version. You never feel the music is foreground in this - more just an accompaniment to songs!

[@RB-hl9ew]

RIP Stephen Sondheim (lyricist for WSS)

[@jp3666]

Elgort's singing was sublime, the two leads harmonised like Romeo & Juliet; however I thought his face was curiously like he was wearing prosthetics, especially his eyes, so emotionless compared to Zegler's. And while the technicality was indeed a triumph, I just didn't see a point in this film being made, if it was going to have so little changes to the key plot and themes. The original film, which I only watched in 2020, impressed me more than this.

[@ben9859]

i think it was worth remaking for the brownface alone

[@elliottclark1340]

I saw it today, what a film ,certainly one of my favourite films now, I understand Mark Kermode’s comments on Tony’s singing however I thought it was quite good. The film reached a new height as it made me weep very hard which is incredibly rare & barely happens to me when watching films. One of the most well shot & orchestrated recent films, I am happy that I lead the applause at the end of the film 😂. Loved you review of the film & I’m a big fan of the show.

[@ovandothack]

completely agree elgort is the weak link, he has quite a nice voice, but compared to the other dancers especially next to mike faist he was lacking. also didn’t really bring anything to the role, played it by the numbers.

[@garethglover9977]

I could not disagree more I thought he was superb

[@myytchanneldinakoha8498]

Tony's solos are some of my favorites to sing, but here it's the least memorable numbers for me.

[@ovandothack]

@@myytchanneldinakoha8498 100% i love his solos but here they felt lifeless

[@michaelcoy311]

As someone who once hated Ansel Elgort, I must say that he instantly won me over. Miles better than the original Tony, who had a better voice, but was a bit of a stiff.

[@garrettnorth3771]

The original Tony didn’t sing; he was overdubbed. Same with Natalie Wood as original Maria.

[@Vesnicie]

Richard Beymer (original Tony) would probably agree with you. He has said himself that he didn't think he was very convincing in the role. He's done other good work though, Twin Peaks among other things.

[@Disney65Fan]

Ansel Elgort is also a singer too as he has his own album that he did a good few years ago.

[@richacarle]

Team Simon!! I thought ansel elgort was was understated compared to the other 3 leads, but was very classy. And I totally brought into the connection between him and Maria. They had great chemistry. Really enjoyed the movie as a whole.

[@emmanuelsalazar9424]

Completely agree.

[@MrTaitors]

Can’t agree about Elgort. He nails it. And a stunning film all round.

[@summertime_blooz]

Almost everybody agrees that the movie is great, and Elgort is THE central character of this movie, even moreso than Zegler. Sooo..why is Elgort the "problem" that seems to be every critic's target? If he wasn't great, this movie just wouldn't work. And I definitely can see the Brando comparison, particularly when Tony is told that Maria is dead.I've seen this movie twice and he was even better the second time around. I don't know or care about his personal image problems.

[@tombolton1379]

Yes! Thankyou simon! I have always said that Ansel looks like brando!

[@rehoch]

I loved the new version! Especially Riff and Maria. And I am Team Simon - Mr. Elgort does a fine job. The only two things I didnt like was Rita Moreno singing Somwhere - just didnt fit. And the overblown version of America, I think the rooftop version of the original is just perfect.

[@tonygiles1841]

Rita Moreno is superb and I found the whole film was an emotional roller coaster.

[@danielcastillo4537]

Spielberg shows us why he is still a great American director. The cinematography, sets and costumes were gorgeous. However I felt he used this vehicle to highlight world events not as a film for escapism. And it felt overlong even though it is the same length as the original. To invest almost three hours into a film the final act didn't have the emotional payoff as in the original. When I left the film I thought about it for 5 minutes and then I was done. Team Mark all the way!

[@fiddleandfart]

I so agree. Spielberg's film drags in a way that the earlier movie does not. And many of his scenes (bar perhaps his interpretations of "America," and "Cool,") are simply no match for the earlier versions. Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise did a pretty damn fine job on the first! And I agree with you that Spielberg totally blew and wasted his final scene - so much better done in the first film - with the sheer angry intensity of Natalie Wood with that gun, Baby John putting the shawl over her head - and then the way the two sides came together to pick up Tony's body - really fudged in Spielberg's film, and the contrast in the way the cops arrived. Of course Spielberg wanted to be different. The trouble is, his different is mostly less good! Newcomers to "West Side Story" may not have seen the earlier version, or perhaps only diminished on a TV screen, but really, for me, that's the film version to see!

[@colinfarrell6444]

I completely agree with the "Brando" comparison

[@mshockey73]

I loved Ansel Elgort in this movie. And yes, Marlon Brando. Good observation. I can see that in him....

[@styxcreek]

Ansel Elgort has to be an anagram

[@colinr0380]

Or a pseudonym for Taron Egerton.

[@Gnator8t4]

Seeing it a couple of hours and unexpectedly excited for it. The original is probably my favourite "classic" movie musical so I was apprehensive when I first heard about this, but seeing the trailers and recalling the opening of Temple of Doom have left me hopeful I'll have a great time with it

[@natanlopes4000]

So, what do you think??

[@Gnator8t4]

@@natanlopes4000 I really liked it! I thought Spielberg brought an energy which maintained the spirit of the original while being updated enough to stand out. The non-musical sequences weren't quite as engaging (and overall the original is better IMO) but it's best moments were a real thrill to watch

[@fiddleandfart]

@@Gnator8t4 Exactly! Saggy dialogue between the musical highlights, and most of them done less well - including the performances of the leads. Who can match Rita Moreno's fiery glitter-eyed Anita? I'll say his new "America," and "Cool" were good - but again, does that really match the intensity of Ice and the rest of the Jets blowing off steam in the garage in the earlier movie?

[@LAZISH]

Ansel does look like Brando IMHO. That's I've always thought of.

[@kevinfarrell523]

Personal circumstances prevent me from attending a cinema ; so I await the hope-for streaming. notwithstanding the wide wide screen condition. I love anything Mark Kermode says about cinema.

[@TrulyMadlyShallowly]

I find it interesting that Elgort seems to be the weak link here as much as Beymer was. Makes me wonder who decides on leading men and why?

[@rachelcrawford9553]

I believe the role itself is a hard role to portray. As for Beymer, George Chakiris said he was on his own in this movie. They didn’t give him much direction except to be someone that is a reformed, enchanting boy type plus Natalie Wood hated him for no reason. I think Beymer is fine as Tony but he could of done better if he had better direction.

[@histubeness]

"Seems to be the weak link"? See it for yourself.

[@TrulyMadlyShallowly]

@@rachelcrawford9553 Good point. He doesn't have the most interesting part anyway, so a bit of direction would've gone a long way.

[@s.hopkins4490]

@@rachelcrawford9553 Natalie Wood was peeved that her boyfriend, Robert Wagner, didn’t get the part of Tony. Whoever got the role she was going to be unhappy with. She stayed apart from the other performers and they were all intimidated by her.

[@rachelcrawford9553]

@@s.hopkins4490 I believe it was Warren Beatty. She was seperated from Wagner by this time. In her dressing room, she did have a list of people she did not like on set and Richard was on it. Russ (Riff) asked her why he was on it and she just said I don't like him. That was all.

[@sallyp2371]

Team Simon on this one! It is a triumph, and he does sing well AND look like Marlon Brando!

[@DonostiGros]

Watched it last night. I agree with Kermode, I thought Anselm Elgort was wooden and inexpressive, he reminded me of Johnny Weismuller's puzzled face, Richard Beymer, the original Tony, was spot on and his acting was full of emotion. Elgort, though, can really sing and that, kind of saves him. I was surprised to see this 're-interpretation' was so close to the original. However, I believe Spielberg enhanced the best parts of the story by adding details: we see more of Maria and Tony's relationship, Valentina (Rita Moreno) provides a layer we didn't have before. Lastly, i was never convinced with Natalie Wood's performance, her accent never rang true (she was American-Russian), also Bernardo (George Chakiris) had the same issue. All those things are corrected now, Rachel Zegler is superb, and her singing sublime.

[@iolieuripides2340]

i do think that saying that Ansel was inexpressive is a bit harsh. He and rachel had a lot of chemistry and his acting was very convincing. However he lacked emotion when he was singing and i would agree that although he has a phenomenal voice, it sounded very mechanical.

[@DonostiGros]

@@iolieuripides2340 yes, he sings all the songs, but we don't get the feeling of them. I wouldn't say he sounds mechanical as I believe his voice has quite a warm tone, but he seemed to be reading the notes as they're written, rather than interpreting them with his heart… sabes exactamente lo que quiero decir ¿verdad? ;)

[@iolieuripides2340]

@@DonostiGros i meant mechanical as i’m he’s just singing what is written on the page, not like he’s singing with a monotone voice like a robot because he is obviously not.

[@DonostiGros]

@@iolieuripides2340 Entonces estamos de acuerdo mi niña :)

[@Ray03595]

i really liked his performance. Thought he showed tons of emotion when he sang 'Maria'.

[@upfulsoul826]

I agree Ariana DeBose was great. Most of the songs worked and didn't feel cheesy.

[@charliepanayiotou4305]

Looking forward to seeing this, but already dreading all the 'is it because of allegations against Ansel Elgort' thinkpieces we're going to get when it tanks (Betteridge's Law of headlines in action again)

[@IYAMNI]

Just got back from my second viewing of Spielbergs WWS, and I didn't come in here to take shots at Mark, but I just wanna say to anybody who has not seen this film yet, DO NOT listen to the Elgort bashing. Don't go into the theater with that bs on your mind, watch and decide for yourself. I know I commented on this thread once already but that was before my second viewing. The first time I was taking in so much, and my mind was adapting to the many changes, so I wasn't really focusing on grading performance. On my first view everybody was excellent with stand out performances from Zegler and Debose. But on my second view I decideed that there is absolutely something fk'd up going on with all the Elgort hate. I am not gonna lay it all on the MeToo warriors, but it is something, because there is absolutely NOTHING WRONG with Elgort's Tony. He is not weak, he is not stiff. The moment we meet him he is in Riff's face, their banter flows, it's is rapid fire and genuine, they carry on like true old friends. They are physical, roughing it up with each other. He walks into the dance like a person who is not afraid of anybody or anything. He feels like he was once the leader of a gang.... unlike a certain other Tony. AND he does his own singing, unlike a certain other Tony. He has an excellent voice, and he rips up the floor with Faist and the other Jet in 'Cool'. Sorry but this is a fail for Mark imo.

[@Disney65Fan]

Honestly I think his a good singer.

[@MissGelly]

I’m not saying this is Elgort’s fault or maybe the character was altered because he was hired - but he misses for me because they’ve changed the essence of Tony. Not street hard, smart mouth BabyDriver again, but how Tony was written and how Romeo was written. The romantic and essentially innocent that both Tony and Maria are -surrounded by hate and fighting. It’s what makes you support them so much to see they’re innocents caught up in a war that they’re trying to run away from and escape to a better and quiet life. Tonight song being the perfect example while they sing of love the rest sing of fighting and lust. I don’t want a hardened Tony. He was written as he had had the epiphany that he’s left that world behind, outgrown it as kid’s play for him and looking for something better. He’s a good singer but if you’ve listened to other versions/concerts, you can hear that it’s not what it should’ve been, IMO.

[@IYAMNI]

@@MissGelly well that’s a thoughtful response but I couldn’t disagree with you more. Tony is not a romantic dreamer, Tony is an ex gang leader who really doesn’t know what to do with his life until he meets Maria. And my point is not that everybody should like this Tony but that they should make up their own mind and shouldn’t let all this nonsense about Elgort being stiff taint their perspective. Because he’s not. I’m sure there will be people who prefer the starry eyed version, but Elgort is not a weak link. .

[@s.hopkins4490]

@@IYAMNI But Tony is a romantic dreamer - that is the character as it was historically written and performed. The wonderful Larry Kert, the very first and glorious Tony, wore a letterman jacket throughout the play. He looks as pure and fresh faced as Richard Beymer. Do any of us know what it was to be in a gang in 1957? The film makes out they are little more than ageing teenagers flinging paint and fruit and hanging out in the sweet shop. When Riff dies, they are frightened and tearful. Hardly macho gang behaviour. If Spielberg wants to rewrite him into a violent ex jail con with a smooth persona, that’s fine. But it doesn’t work for me and I would assume most women would find a romantic starry eyed hero a whole lot more of a good idea than an ex con. As stated, the music references the innocence of their characters, surrounded by hate. But you’ve made your point that this obviously does not appeal to you as a viewer.

[@t0nyc0nde]

Ansel looked JUST LIKE Brando. Amazingly so.

[@hootbaez6185]

Saw it this weekend. I am on Team Simon with regard to Elgort. I thought he did well. While I thought the film was okay, I prefer the original. There were some interesting choices that were made in the film. Some worked for me (the scene at the museum, for example), but others did not. Casting, however, wasn't the problem. I guess if there was an overall theme for my criticism it is that the timing seemed off, resulting in a lack of payoffs. For example, in the showstopper "America" the best line is when Bernardo sings "...terrible time in America" and Anita retorts "You forget I am in America." In the original film that is milked for its comedic playfulness. In this version, it is just glossed over. There is no pause with response from the rest of cast. It just moves quickly on to the next line/dance. So no payoff. No comedic timing there. Even worse was how the timing and other choices impacted the emotional response to the tragic elements of the story. (Hopefully this isn't a spoiler; it is a retelling of "Romeo and Juliet," after all.) The decision to place "I feel pretty" immediately after the rumble was jarring, preventing any real opportunity for the emotional response that should have taken place there. There was similarly no real emotion at the end of the show. While Valentina showed some emotion earlier, her response as she passed Tony at the end seemed -- at best -- perfunctory. Really? That is it? I also regretted the decision to downplay the other members of the two gangs. In the original version, for example, Ice was more of a character in his own right and had his own song, "Cool," which -- timing again -- worked better for me in the original as being after the rumble than the way it was handled in this version. To be fair, Chino does get a more prominent role -- and that is nice -- but overall the two gangs just seemed like two indistinct blobs. So bottom line, I am glad I saw this version. But the next time I want to see West Side story, I will return to the 1961 version.

[@fiddleandfart]

My feelings, too, in so many ways about so much of this. And so interesting you talk of timing. Because my thoughts went the same way, thinking what was wrong with this? Spielberg is a great film-maker, but yes, I too felt that he really lacked sensitivity to musical and performance dynamics, because yes, so much is slacker in his version - not least his far inferior "Dance at the Gym!" The new version's Glad Hand in this scene is just an over-talking misery, without the optimistic humour of the original. Krupke and Schrank are again, overwritten, and less effective - which is true of so much of Tony Kushner's revised, and rather leaden script. And, yes, while the new "Cool" is very physically clever, the original "Cool" in the garage under the steely eyes of Riff's Number Two, Ice, remains a fantastic dance number. Because, like you, I felt there were no distinct characters in the two gangs below Riff and Bernardo (so much sleeker in the lithe performance of George Chakiris!) The trouble is here, we have a new younger audience, who don't, and probably never will, get to see the '61 film, and consequently never know how good "West Side Story" could and should be!

[@Ray03595]

exact same grievance about that line in 'America' ,lol. How'd they gloss over such an iconic part of that song?? I dont think they even showed Bernardo's reaction to hearing that line.

[@philipjhorton]

I went in having never seen the original, and thought it was great, maybe even Spielberg's best since Munich. It felt like very 'classic' filmmaking. Has any other director done both Horror and Musical in their career?

[@nightwing8525]

No.

[@TheDemonicPenguin]

What‘s Spielberg‘s horror film? Poltergeist (unofficially?) Jaws? Munich? Always? (I kid)

[@fiddleandfart]

See the original! Is my answer to all "West Side Story" newbies! It's simply better in almost every way!

[@Ray03595]

Yes, really loved everything about the production. I felt that classic filmmaking. Speilberg is able to envoke something very special. He always wants his audience to know that he's making a movie

[@emmanuelsalazar9424]

“Pretty good” is underselling it, I thought it was phenomenal! Film of the year, for my money.

[@Esi153]

I liked it a lot and thought the cinematography was fantastic; but I wasn't moved by it in the way that I was by the original. I found the Maria and Tony less interesting than Anita, who was wonderfully portrayed by Ariana DeBose.

[@fiddleandfart]

So with you. Seeing the original again recently on the big screen was a genuinely moving experience. Some incredible powerhouse dancing and performances. Spielberg's version simply isn't! And feels somewhat anaemic by comparison!

[@Esi153]

@@fiddleandfart I 100% agree 🙂

[@ShaneyBright]

Thought I never to hear Brando, "squinchy" face, Ansel Elgort and Tony Hadley in the same review and love it. This review is one of the best.

[@DonostiGros]

He looks like none of them! He reminded me of a hieratic Johnny Weissmuller.

[@catchawave21]

Went in to be wowed, came out wondering "why"? What's next, Spielberg remakes Citizen Kane? The Searchers? Lawrence of Arabia? Fearlessly cleansing classic cinema of it's original sins could be a very long process.

[@TheDemonicPenguin]

Those three movies are all far better than WSS. Also West Side Story was a show first.

[@catchawave21]

@@TheDemonicPenguin Good call, was just trying to think of problematic examples, but not great comparisons in hindsight

[@fiddleandfart]

I agree! And Spielberg's movie, much as I respect and revere him as a film-maker, is simply not as good as the Robbins/Wise film! Because it's extremely hard to top. It's really, really good!

[@catchawave21]

@@fiddleandfart Agreed. The original still looks new each time it pops up on TCM despite the elements that clearly age it. I think Spielberg is checking boxes at this point. I guess The Fablemans will be his 8 1/2 ?

[@film79]

Part of the problem with Ansel Elgort in my opinion is that the guy that played his friend who was the other leader of their gang was so good that it made Ansel stick out even more.

[@stephenphillips4609]

I saw this movie a couple of days ago on a flight...not the greatest way to watch a movie, but hey... I'm with Simon. I thought this West Side Story was a triumph, It's powerful, heartbreaking, funny in places and very well staged. I couldn't get enough of it. And, as Mark hoped it would, it will send me back to the original, which I have never seen. A damn fine movie.

[@hannahwebster5606]

I thought Ansel Elgort was great. Much better than the original Tony.

[@AlBourne01]

Loved everything about it … except Ansel Elgort’s acting. I didn’t believe a word of it. But his voice was perfect for the role.

[@IYAMNI]

Sorry Mark but I’m team Simon here. Elgort was great. He’s not a weak link. He’s actually much much better than Richard Beymers original version which was more like a dreamy eyed suburban kid trying to act tough than someone who used to lead a gang. And this is coming from someone who loved the original film. I think Simon’s Brando reference was more to do with his subdued performance. People are mistaking it for stiff. Not to me. To me he just seems like someone who just got out of prison for almost beating a kid to death and is trying to change his life. And it is easily the best thing for Spielberg has done in 20 years. I think you might be having a little Jojo rabbit moment again 🙄😄

[@gavindalziel9022]

I've always thought that Richard Beymers was the weak link in the original, and actually I don't think the singing is that great in the original film tbh.

[@IYAMNI]

@@gavindalziel9022 I first saw it when I was very young, like around four years old, so it wasn’t until I was older that my view on Beymer changed. He just doesn’t come off like an ex gang leader. But like I said even he didn’t like his performance he wanted to play the character a little rougher around the edges but the studio wanted a heartthrob. He and Natalie Wood did not get along very well, I don’t know if you’ve been following that story. But it any rate, I can see why some people interpret Elgort’s performance as stiff, but I don’t see it that way. To me he’s believable as a guy who used to rumble.

[@IYAMNI]

@@gavindalziel9022 oh I forgot to add the singing in the original, if it seemed weak to you that’s not Beymers fault because he was dubbed. One of the funniest things about the 1961 west side story is when Tony and Maria are singing to each other in tonight… They’re both dubbed.

[@Qacc6]

Even judging by the trailer, Ansel Elgort appeared to be the miscast to me.

[@L_Martin]

I agree… His face & casting didn’t seem right for the part, but then again I really hated Baby Driver so maybe that performance/part left a bad taste in my mouth.

[@fiddleandfart]

Yep! He just doesn't fit among all the grit!

[@JonathanGymAddict]

I'm with Simon here. I thought Ansel Elgort was great including his singing. As was the rest of the cast. Really enjoyed it.

[@lpquagmire3621]

As Tina Turner sang, "Simply The Jets!"

[@jabrowne2018]

Did no one feel bereft when “There’s a Place for Us” didn’t end the movie? Why did Valentina sing it instead of Maria? And why is it sung at a point in the arc when its power is diluted? It’s what made the coming together of Jets & Sharks to carry Tony’s body believable. You can have Valentina sing a shortened version of it at the beginning of the last quarter of the movie., like a foreshadowing, but it works best when Maria sings it to Tony as he dies.

[@Matazuma]

"It's widey wide-wide"-Mark Kermode

[@Ronariverah]

Loved Tony. I was enraptured.

[@mariabrookes3048]

I liked Ansel! I’m a massive fan of original and was expecting to be disappointed. I wasn’t. I’m surprised everyone loved Mike (Riff) as I thought he looked too young and emoish. Felt the same about Eddie Redmayne in les mis. Lots of tears in cinema. I’d love to know what newcomers think of it.

[@simeonselmon8318]

I've just seen the film it's as good as the original if not better amazing

[@sethwiseman1017]

I also got Brando from Elgort in this film. Strong On the Waterfront vibes in his performance.

[@RL07]

I was pleasantly surprised by Ansel, honestly thought he was fantastic. My only disappointment was the change to have Rita Moreno's character singing "Somewhere", I appreciated her version and what Speilberg was trying to do but just feel the song was stronger in the hands of the leads and their story. Other than that though honestly love the film.

[@Sol3UK]

America and Rita Moreno's dancing from the original is sublime, this film has a lot to live up to artistically.

[@fiddleandfart]

It does. And for me, doesn't quite crack it!

[@peteradaniel]

I could never understand Ansel Elgor’s success. Everything he does is completely wooden.

[@Bragglord]

I agree with you in most cases, but he wasn't bad in Baby Driver.

[@apseudonym]

he's also a little douchebag in real life

[@Reneebenson]

@@apseudonym how do u know??

[@madoldbag6874]

I resisted watching this review until seeing the film. It was great! I thought this remake was much grittier than the original. A lot less choreography than the original. Maria was the star of the show.

[@icnocuicatl]

Ansel Elgort DID look like Marlon Brando in this film; perhaps Spielberg did this intentionally as if to gift him to Rita, as a cinematic Thank You.

[@65g4]

When Simon said Elgort was Brando i think he was refering to the Streetcare Named Desire Brando.

[@fiddleandfart]

Yeah, but Brando could actually act!

[@fuzzytabby4304]

Just saw this film and I had to agree that Ansel Elgort felt wrong for the part as in didn't embody what I thought Tony character should be. I figured that they got him mainly for his singing ability. It seems like the trend nowadays to get the right actors and hope they could learn the talents they're supposed to do not the other way around so this was kind of unexpected.

[@ianinkster2261]

So does Schindlers List, look from the period it depicts.

[@darthmig1328]

Why do people have a problem with people singing in films, but people killing in films is fine?

[@henkjarnosla1991]

These things are not comparable

[@C4Fernandez]

As someone who'd studied film musicals to death for my dissertation, and with West Side Story (1961) being a major reference, I was aware that the direction of the original adaptation was so incredibly done that the direction itself is West Side Story. That being said, having respect for Spielberg and seeing the way he blocks and moves the camera, I felt that if anybody working in Hollywood today was to make another adaptation of West Side Story, it would be him... When I watched the film, I'd thought that this film synthesised the sensibilities of classical Hollywood cinema and Spielberg's blockbuster aesthetic (which makes complete sense as he pioneered the modern blockbuster). I feel like this version of West Side Story revitalises the Hollywood musical and I hope modern movie musicals see this as a new standard in how to construct musical numbers.

[@gpapa31]

Great review Chris. How did you find the ending? Personally I felt it was underwhelming and it ruined kind of the movie for me. From the moment Tony reacts with a cartoonish looks upon the news the of Maria’s death till the moment Maria was crying over his dead body I just didn’t feel the emotional gut punch that Natalie Wood delivered in the original. Note: not that I cried in the original either, still felt Beymer and Wood were the weakest links in that story as well, but in this one I felt that moment was even worse. Which makes it really really unfair as I found the move absolutely exceptional, it’s the climax has made me sceptical and shy of giving it a very high score. Did you feel the same? If not how did you see the ending?

[@C4Fernandez]

@@gpapa31 I felt the same with both versions and bought into it mostly. Maria’s little monologue at the end is what I responded to mainly as they’re written incredibly well and are so powerful. That being said, I agree with you that Ansel’s Tony’s reaction when Valentina told him about Maria was overdone and awkward but Rachel Zegler’s performance really won me over for the ending.

[@fiddleandfart]

@@gpapa31 Yeah, I so agree. You really felt the anger and passion from Natalie Wood in her final scene, and really felt she might shoot someone with that gun! And Spielberg missed all the detail and nuances that made that climactic scene so effective and moving in the older film. And his "everybody leaves and Fade Out" just didn't match the earlier film's sheer emotive gut power!

[@marknewbold2583]

This is better. The 1961 version is a mess

[@jaysonbiggs8979]

California is under Governor-ordered mandatory mask-wearing. I will go see the movie again this weekend near Los Angeles. I expect even fewer people in the theater to see it. (The restaurants are full. Many are not wearing masks. I asked a waitress about this. She said mgt. is afraid of losing customers if diners were mandated.)

[@sharidyer4332]

I agree about Ansel Elgort. His singing was good, but his acting was flat

[@liesl8839]

Took a while to get going but I thought it was great. It brought far more context into what was happening and gave a better background to what was driving the characters, especially Riff and Tony. If anything the realism maybe went against it as after "A Boy Like That" I did think Maria was a bit of a daftie. I felt it missed some of the intensity of Cool, but what they did with it did make sense dramatically. Tony was far better than in the 60's version but it's a thankless role playing against everything else that is going on. It must have been strange for Moreno to be reacting to what was her own part all those years ago, she was great though, as were the new Anita and Bernardo. The tragedy is though, j was one of only 7 in a main screen watching it, on only the second day of release, clearly the box office will be taking a massive covid hit which is a shame.

[@emmanuelsalazar9424]

I’m with Simon on Ansel here.

[@funjuror]

I think the guy has a Brando look.

[@michaeldwatkins_]

I do agree with Mark here. For me, it was very much the case that all the good stuff happens without Elgort and all the weaker stuff happens with him. Overall, I enjoyed it a fair amount. It wasn't life-changing, but it deals with and updates a tale that's gone through a fair few different filters by this point wonderfully well. I found the updating of Anybodys' character to be the most satisfying - having just read a piece on that creative choice - but yeah, there's a lot to like about the film.

[@spridgejuice]

Elgort is always a bit rubbish - maybe Baby Driver casts him well to his talents of pouty narcissism. Otherwise, could do better.

[@localkauf]

Agree with Simon on elgort, was taken completely off guard by how good he was at singing

[@fuzzytabby4304]

I think the film has that classic look because they made it look like three strip Technicolor which was great.

[@badlatinfilms]

It's a great Movie. Saw it today, but I feel Elgort's performance wasn't as good as the other actors. It's a modern revisit and feels like watching an old movie. It's that good and seeing my flag 🇵🇷 made me teary and proud. But yeah good movie after you get used to Elgort's meh Performance to me.

[@euansmith3699]

"It's a very niche joke..." 😍😍😍 Simon and Mark are such a great odd couple.

[@josh72456]

I found it fine I mean I don't think it's one of Spielberg's best films and I wasn't into original one that much.

[@mariogiresi6792]

6:15 I agree with Mr. Kermode. Elgort is unremarkable, and in some scenes, only some, he barley registers. Richard Beymer displayed the proper amount of passion and longing that was required of the Tony character. I simply did not feel or see this in the remake.

[@meatloafmen]

Did he say "dour" as "doo-err"?

[@fiddleandfart]

It's fine. Many do!

[@chrishiggins7166]

The film is well acted, well casted, well directed, stylish, enjoyable & very likable musical drama adaptation. (81%) (4/5 stars) (positive)

[@karlmortoniv2951]

I was amazed what a difference it made having two leads who could sing and dance. I’d forgotten how much they massaged the show for the original movie to get around Richard Beymer not being at the level of George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn and all the people from New York.

[@franbroad8093]

Elgort nailed it. Much more rounded and believable that the original Tony.

[@ashwilliamssnr3727]

It's beautifully shot, performances are excellent,costume design is perfect,sound design is superb (especially in Atmos) but and here is the but I love speilberg but(but again) his movies last 20 years have been just "good" or not very good at all and unlike his 80's & 90's which were either good or bloody brilliant and all time classic to boot. Well to cut a short story long(pardon the pun) west side story falls into the "good" category it's just "good" I enjoyed it left the theatre and won't buy the 4K but thanks for the ride "good"