Review
West Side Story is a Musical directed by Robert Wise in 1961. The story deals with two gangs of youth. One of these is called the "The Jets", and the other is "The Sharks". The Jets, are american whereas the Sharks are Puerto Ricans, they are immigrate. These two gangs are living in the West Side of Manhattan in New-York. This film is inspired of the play "Romeo and Juliet" written by Shakespeare.
The Sharks' leader is called Bernardo, he is played by George Chakiris. He is Maria's brother, who is played by the beautiful actress Natalie Wood. Bernado is also the boyfriend of Anita (played by Rita Moreno). At the Gym, Maria, met Tony (Anton), a member of the Jets, played by Richard Beymer. They fall in love each other.
My opinion about the film
I enjoyed West Side Story, even if some scenes were too long, and a little boring. I was fond of the songs and the dances of the gangs. To my mind, there were too much love songs such as Tony's songs which are annoying. I prefer songs what were moving, where people are dancing whereas I sometimes found the love songs pathetic. My favorite song is "America" sung by the Sharks girls and Sharks boys. In my opinion, the end was so terrific, beacause the two leaders of each gang are assassinated, and Tony died too. It was a bit mushy. I believe Maria was very brave. Indeed, during all the story, she loved Tony, whereas her brother Bernado was against for this love. He thought it is forbidden to love a feunding. But, to Maria's mind, love is superior to be the best gang of Manhattan.
Similarities between Romeo and Juliet, and West Side Story
West Side Story is the same story as Romeo and Juliet. West Side Story is more innovative than Shakespeare's play. However, we could find some similarities between the two stories.
- These two stories are a love story, between two gangs.
-For instance, when Tony marries Maria in the shop, that reminds us, when Romeo marries Juliet at Lawrence's cell.
- In West Side Story, Doc, reminds us the poor Apothecary in Romeo and Juliet.
-Rosaline (in Romeo and Juliet) has the same role as Chino (in West Side Story). They are the two lovers of one person in each family. Indeed, Chino loves Maria who belongs to the Sharks but she, is in love with a ennemy: Tony. On the other hand, Rosaline loves Romeo who belongs to the Montaigues, but Romeo is in love with a Capulet: Juliet.
-Tony and Maria met each other at the dance, like Romeo and Juliet who met each other at the fancy-dress-ball.
-Tony, as Romeo, thought that their lovers were dead; yet the girls were not.
Differents between Robert Wise's film, and Shakespeare's play
-Eventually, in Romeo and Juliet, the female protagonist dead, whereas in West Side Story Maria, the heroïne, is the only main character who did not die. Indeed, Juliet commited suicide, while Maria fell in deep sorrow.
- In Romeo and Juliet, rivals are whealthy people who live in castles whereas the Jets and The Sharks live in Manhattan, in the poor neighborhood, the West Side.
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