It’s been 60 years since the original “West Side Story,” and a remake has finally hit the theaters.
The familiar story models after Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, with a twist ending. Set in 20th century New York City, the film centers on a gang conflict between the Jets, poor white boys, and the Sharks, Puerto Ricans who are new to the neighborhood.
Maria, a young Puerto Rican girl portrayed by actress Rachel Zegler, falls in love with Tony, played by Ansel Elgort, an ex-member of the Jets. Their love is forbidden, but that doesn’t stop them from sneaking away to see each other.
Stephen Spielberg, the award-winning director and co-producer of the film, desired to arrange the old story with a mix of familiar scenes and new ones. Spielberg created a new role, Valentina, played by 90-year-old actress Rita Moreno who starred as Anita in the original 1961 film.
She returned to the screen and sang “Somewhere” in the 2021 edition. In the original, Maria and Tony sung this duet, expressing their love and hope to someday find a place where they could be together. Valentina sings of her hope for the racial division and strife to settle, allowing for a home for her people. Spielberg intentionally assigned this song to the returning star, Moreno, to signify the same hope in our culture today.
Spielberg also added more Spanish dialogue between Puerto Rican characters, depicting the actual lifestyle of these new immigrants. Unlike the 1961 film, Hispanic actors play the Puerto Rican roles. Both these aspects added authenticity to the story, revealing the reality of that time.
Moreno, who grew up in Puerto Rico, co-produced the 2021 version and helped bring this authenticity. She recounted to the actors and actresses true stories of her life growing up in America which helped them to depict the tension and lifestyle on screen.
Spielberg also added background details to some of the main characters. In the film, it’s revealed that Tony was just released from prison on bail for almost beating to death an enemy gang member. Tony distanced himself from the gang, striving to set a new identity for himself. Elgort plays this Tony as strong and mature which contrasts the rather “pretty boy” depiction of Tony in the 1961 film.
With all these minor additions and adaptations, the beloved musical takes on a more realistic story. This engages the audience, drawing them in and swinging their hearts through the character’s raw emotions. The whole story is more believable and in that way even more beautiful than the original, idealistic, rather “distant” film. The audience sympathizes with both sides, hates the divide, loves the connection, and awaits the intense ending—all the while discovering new aspects of the plot and humming familiar, old songs.
In any case, if you’re a lover of classics, music, dancing, intense plots, and tear-jerking endings, consider watching this beautiful film. Step away from the dreary, long winter and into a bright, hot summer in Manhattan where hate divides but love surpasses all expectations.
