Film Review: "West Side Story" (2021).

"Celebrate the greatest love story of all time" with West Side Story. This musical romantic drama film directed by Steven Spielberg, adapted by Tony Kushner, and based on 1957 stage musical of the same title conceived by Jerome Robbins, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, which is based on the book by Arthur Laurents, which in turn was inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. It is the second feature-length adaptation after 1961 film adaptation. Love at first sight strikes when young Tony spots Maria at a high school dance in 1957 New York City. Their burgeoning romance helps to fuel the fire between the warring Jets and Sharks -- two rival gangs vying for control of the streets.

In March 2014, Spielberg first expressed interest in directing a new adaptation of West Side Story. This prompted 20th Century Fox to acquire the rights to the project. In July 2017, it was revealed that Kushner was hired to pen the adaptation, and that the story would be closer to the original stage musical than to the 1961 film. In January 2018, it was announced that Spielberg would likely direct the film following completion of filming for a fifth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise. However, by July, the fifth Indiana Jones film was pushed back, allowing Spielberg to begin pre-production on West Side Story. In September, Justin Peck was hired to choreograph the film, with Ansel Elgort cast in the film as Tony. In January 2019, newcomer Rachel Zegler was cast in the lead role of María. By July, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Brian d'Arcy James, Corey Stoll, Jamila Velazquez, Yassmin Alers, Jamie Harris, Andréa Burns, Curtiss Cook and Rita Moreno rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in late September. Filming took place throughout New York and New Jersey. The production did not attempt to recreate the choreography used in most productions of the stage show and in the 1961 film. However, Peck and the creative team were mindful of Robbins' choreography, and occasionally reused Robbins' choreography for nostalgia. Spielberg initially approached his frequent collaborator John Williams to serve as the film's music director. Williams instead suggested composer David Newman and conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Newman arranged and adapted Bernstein's original score for the film. Dudamel conducted the New York Philharmonic during the film's recording sessions in 2019, with additional recording by the Los Angeles Philharmonic done during the COVID-19 pandemic the following year. Williams served as music consultant. The film was initially scheduled for a December 18, 2020 release date by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through the 20th Century Studios label. However, in September 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney delayed the release date to December 10, 2021, which coincided with the 60th anniversary of the release of the 1961 film.

Filled with great performances, including Elgort, Zegler, DeBose and Alvarez, that will be talked about a lot come award season.

Despite the film is treading familiar ground in terms of its storytelling, it still proves to be effective due to its outstanding talents, in front and behind the camera.

Simon says West Side Story receives:

Also, see my review for Ready Player One.