West Side Story
West Side Story

West Side Story

2021Movie156 minEnglish

Two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy.

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Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes91%
Metacritic85/100
Google Users93%
Director: Steven SpielbergGenres: Musical, Drama, Romance, Crime

Plot Summary

In 1950s New York City, simmering tensions between two teenage gangs, the white Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks, ignite a fierce rivalry. Amidst this conflict, Tony, a former Jet, falls instantly in love with Maria, the sister of the Sharks' leader. Their forbidden romance becomes a dangerous catalyst, threatening to shatter the fragile peace and leading to tragic consequences for all involved.

Critical Reception

Steven Spielberg's adaptation of the classic musical 'West Side Story' was widely lauded by critics for its vibrant direction, stunning choreography, and powerful performances, particularly from newcomer Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose. It was praised for honoring the spirit of the original while offering a fresh, cinematic perspective that resonated with both older and newer audiences.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually stunning and kinetically choreographed, offering a vibrant and emotionally resonant take on the classic musical.
  • The performances, especially from Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose, are captivating and bring new depth to the iconic roles.
  • Spielberg's masterful direction elevates the material, creating a cinematic experience that is both faithful and refreshingly modern.

Google audience: Audiences overwhelmingly praised the film's breathtaking visuals, incredible musical numbers, and the standout performances from the cast, particularly Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose. Many found the emotional depth and powerful storytelling to be incredibly moving, leading to a highly positive reception.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, winning Best Supporting Actress for Ariana DeBose. It also received numerous nominations and wins from Golden Globe Awards, Critics' Choice Movie Awards, and various guild awards.

Fun Fact

Director Steven Spielberg made sure that all actors auditioning for Puerto Rican roles could speak Spanish, with many of the Sharks and their families' dialogue scenes and songs featuring Spanish.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

4 reviews
Filipe Manuel Neto

Filipe Manuel Ne...

**A very welcome remake.** I must be one of the few iconoclasts who has not declared here his undying love for “West Side Story”, one of the most successful and acclaimed musicals of all time, and which continues, to this day, to seduce ...
beyondthecineramadome

beyondthecineram...

Full review: <a>https://www.tinakakadelis.com/beyond-the-cinerama-dome/2021/12/28/it-all-begins-tonight-west-side-story-review<a> This film is a still (sadly) all-too-relevant story about how hatred infiltrates communities and the strugg...
Chad Jordahl

Chad Jordahl

Good production. I liked the performers, except Ansel Elgort as the lead male, Tony, who I found to be uninteresting. I never got into the story or the songs. A couple of other thoughts: * Carefully choreographed Broadway-style danc...
dfle3

dfle3

West Side story: Gritty morality tale with an emotional punch. 85% Not having seen the stage production of "West Side story" or its first film version, which I understand is regarded as a classic, I really don't have a point of compariso...