This one was a true LOVE/HATE experience. I knew it was going to be, which is one of the reasons I've always held back from watching this movie before now. It was agonizing trying to separate the phenomenal play from this film.
1962's Best Picture is West Side Story. It's Romeo and Juliet by way of Grease.
On the PLUS side is the wonderful story that radiates the challenges of the immigrant experience in this country. Replace the Puerto Ricans with Muslims and the story plays out even today. Sadly, it seems there will always be that group of people that believe that assimilation is a one-way experience (it isn't) and that there are other humans that are less deserving, or to be taunted and feared because of some arbitrary difference.
Also on the plus side are the fantastic Bernstein & Sondheim songs, Rita Moreno shines as Anita, and the entire movie is visually bewitching.
But.... 15 minutes before the dialogue even begins? Fifteen minutes? I'm sorry, but setting the establishment does not require that amount of time. Beyond that, my biggest complaints are 1) that I'm supposed to buy Natalie Wood as a Puerto Rican girl. Bless her, but no. And I could have easily overlooked this... had she actually possessed the vocal chops to warrant her casting. But no. 2) She, along with the three other lead characters are ALL dubbed by other singers. This is infuriating to me. And this unnecessary distraction ruined the experience.... as I knew it would when I dove into this one.
A special shout out to Marni Nixon, Jimmy Bryant, Tucker Smith, and Betty Wand.... the actual singers in this venture. West Side Story is a fantastic tale, but I'll stick to stage versions.
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