West Side Story (1961) [Musical Film-a-Thon] 18#

My Rating: 9/10

Directed by: Robert Wise & Jeremy Robbins

Genre: Musical, Drama

Runtime: 146 Minutes

‘West Side Story’ takes off in a Shakespearian outlet in the modern world with the implementation of several things from Romeo & Juliet. I must say it is a terrific portrayal Romeo & Juliet and as predictable as it is, the film still has surprises. If you know the story well you will understand who is being who in the story. Like how Maria is obviously Juliet and so on. This musical feels ahead of it’s time in an indescribable way because of it’s storytelling and choreography. With lyrics from Stephen Sondheim and the director of ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’, a decade earlier is a finely choreographed musical that is captivating and beautiful.

 We are introduced to two rival street gangs: the Jets, second-generation American teens, and the Sharks, Puerto Rican immigrants. When the war between the Jets and Sharks reaches a fever pitch, Jets leader Riff (Russ Tamblyn) decides to challenge the Sharks to one last "winner take all" rumble. He decides to meet Sharks leader Bernardo (George Chakiris) for a war council at a gymnasium dance; to bolster his argument, Riff wants his old pal Tony (Richard Beymer), the cofounder of the Jets, to come along. However, Tony has set his sights on vistas beyond the neighbourhood and has fallen in love with Bernardo's sister, Maria (Natalie Wood), a love that, as in Romeo and Juliet, will eventually end in tragedy. 

In contrast to the usual slash-and-burn policy of Hollywood musical adaptations, all the songs written by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim for the original Broadway production of West Side Story were retained for the film version, although some alterations were made to appease the Hollywood censors, and the original order of two songs was reversed for stronger dramatic impact. The movie retains the great choreography, and what fine work it was too from choreographer Jeremy Robbins, co-director of this film. What made the dancing nice was how the action made use of it. In one scene, dance is used to exaggerate the action and it makes for a fine scene. From the first moments of the film, we see clever and unique choreography that certainly impresses with fun.

The film certainly is not the typical movie musical, and follows a very play theatrical style n a pleasant way. The basis of the story is very much from Romeo & Juliet but actually has a few differences with it, which I shall call nameless for now. As for the characters, I enjoyed what they did. Tony of course is Romeo and Maria is Juliet, but along that, we have Maria’s brother Bernardo who is the Tybalt of the story. Then we have Tony’s friend Riff who is Mercutio. There are several other characters that take after Romeo & Juliet’s ones, but to keep things short, I will leave them nameless. What I loved about the cast is the performances they gave were just plain great. That goes for Wood, Beymer, Ned Glass and the rest of the gang members. The film ultimately deals with a bit of racism which is something that still lurked about during the stage play release so there is a cynical kind of truth to it’s story. I will say no more than that about that aspect of the film.

The whole romance of the story is cliché yet elegant. This probably is the best adaption of Romeo & Juliet to hit the screen because of it’s solid characters, drama and plot. Stories of love and romance stretch back thousands of years and Romeo and Juliet is one of the pioneering ones that thousands of stories after it lent from it’s concept. I loved what Sondheim did with the lyrics and the songs felt very much unique, catchy and at times fun. I also loved the musical scores from Bernstein. The film went home taking 10 academy awards some of which being best picture, best original score and even best cinematography. One thing for sure is ‘West Side Story’ is a resonant musical with great dancing, singing and is overall enriching.

Ratings:

Screenplay/Story: 9.1/10

Characters: 9/10

Emotion: 9/10

Direction & Cinematography: 9/10

Visual & Editing: 9.1 /10

Music: 9.1/10

Overall: 9.1/10

The Sound of Music [Musical Film-a-Thon] 13#

My Rating: 9/10

Directed by: Robert Wise
Genre: Musical, Drama, Family
Runtime: 174 Minutes

There is a reason that some films live on through the years and remain resonate and enjoyable. Does sound of music live up to that? Yes, it does, even after 45 years. The Sound of Music is no doubt one of the greatest musicals there is because of it’s terrific acting, great emotion and most of all, the beautiful songs and imagery. As a family musical film that spans almost to three hours, it manages to still compel and win over the audience. Many critics have come to saying the film is no longer a classic, but I stick by saying the film is a classic musical film that is still impressive, at least a little.

Julie Andrews stars as Maria, a young nun in an Austrian convent who regularly misses her morning prayers because she enjoys going to the hills to sing the title song. Deciding that Maria needs to learn something about the real world before she can take her vows, the Mother Superior sends her off to be governess for the children of the widowed Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). Arriving at the Trapp home, Maria discovers that her new boss is cold and aloof, and his seven children virtual automatons-at least, whenever the Captain is around. Otherwise, the kids are holy terrors, as evidenced by the fact that Maria is the latest in a long line of governesses. However, Maria soon ingratiates herself with the children, especially oldest daughter Liesl (Charmian Carr), who is in love with teenaged messenger boy Rolf. From here on it’s a beautiful story that grabs your heart as well as having you sing along.

Julie Andrews was a true star in the film as was all seven of the Von Trapp children. Then of course, we cannot forget Christopher Plummer as the captain whose performance was wholly and true. However, it was Andrews as our main character Maria who truly astounds you and was truly marvellous. Being a 3-hour musical, there is many songs and the soundtrack has 27 songs spanning to 89 Minutes. Most of the songs have beautiful warmth that can only be found in classics an only if you can sit back and enjoy the beauty of things can you enjoy the film.  Some critics, fans and general people today just cannot bear the thought of musicals calling it either lazy storytelling or just plain stupidly happy. I loved the songs in this film because they were emotionally sincere, cheerful and quite catchy. The thing with musicals is that people break into song to express things that words cannot, and that is the simplest way to put it. Some films fail inn this, but this one does not.

Today beside the mixed criticism, the film is still running through Broadway, West end and still touring the world, making it the most popular of all musicals. And according to inflation it is a third highest inflation-adjusted grossing film of all time which in 2010 currency it grossed $1 billion plus. As much as I am honouring this film much it is not my favourite musicals of time, but it is far up there. It’s dated charm, colourful quality and graceful music remains resonant, and as a whole the film is unique. I forgot to mention there is Nazi’s in the film. Towards the end we see the Nazis rising, and for a family film it will be the moment the parent will have to explain to the child what is bad about this particular group of people. The Captain refuses to work for the Nazis (too right!) so they try to flee Austria.

This adaption of the 1959 Broadway musical from Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein warm, enchanting, wholly and very sincere let alone it’s wonderful songs that seem dated, but are still quite beautiful. Not many people bring this film to their attention now with it’s dated feel-good feeling but it’s still a wonderful film. It is most certainly happy for sure and I think that is the film’s nice buzz. It is a beautifully filmed and graciously crafted film. Seeing that first opening helicopter shot (which I might add is quite impressive, no CGI remember) was a beautiful intro and the film’s colour palette was warm and bright. Julie Andrews was a star and the story as a whole has a great warmth that only a classic could create.

Ratings:

Screenplay/Story: 9.1/10

Characters: 9/10

Emotion: 9/10

Direction & Cinematography: 9.1/10

Visual & Editing: 8.8 /10

Music: 9.1/10

Overall: 9.1/10