West Side Story

MUSICAL PLAY IN A FILM!

I remember the very first musical film I’ve watch wherein it made me amaze because of their stunning costumes and it was the classic Les’ Miserables. From the beginning till the end characters have to sing every time they made series of conversations. Comparing this film Les’ Miserables to West Side Story I can say that it’s totally different from each other. Though both films are musical their difference is that West Side Story is a musical play but with choreography while Les’ Miserables is known to be a plain musical play. An honest review of this film, for me West Side Story is not quite good enough maybe when we talk about some technicalities like the production itself. I’m a person that aside from the story I look also the production stage.  The story of this film is excellent most especially it tackles about crisis between two different breeds.

For those who didn’t watch the film I will just give the background what the story all about. West Side Story is about rivalry between two teenage group fighting of who will be in control in a certain area somewhere a in the West Side of New York City. The Jets known to be as the Caucasian and the Sharks is native from Puerto Rico. These two groups were into battle when they meet on streets. Because of this the authority headed by Lt. Schrank together with Officer Krupke warned Jets and Sharks to stop fighting or else they’ll go to jail. The Jets leader Riff is planning for a fight with the Sharks leader Bernardo that night at the neighborhood dance. Riff want to encourage one former member of the group and also one of his closest friend name Tony to join the neighborhood dance.

On the other side of the story a girl name Maria has just arrived from Puerto Rico and works in a bridal shop owns by Anita the girlfriend of his older brother Bernardo. Maria is in New York to arrange her marriage to Chino a friend of his brother Bernardo who eventually she doesn’t like. Since the two ladies (Maria & Anita) were also invited in the neighborhood dance they also prepared their dresses which will be used in the party.

The night of the dance Tony and Maria see each other. Tony attracts easily with Maria so they dance together forgetting the hatred of each other’s group. They both enjoys the night by making love and kissing each other. Suddenly in the middle of the dance Bernardo interrupts the moment by pulling Maria from Tony and sends her Home. Due to Tony’s terrific love with Maria he finds her building where she lives. Tony serenades Maria in her window near the fire exit since it is the only place where he can fully see Maria.

As the story progresses Tony and Maria were became lovers but due to his brother and the conflicts with Jets, here comes the tension Jets and Sharks were into fight which involves Riff and Bernardo. Suddenly Tony arrives to stop them fighting he grabs Riff’s knife but due to the tension Tony stabs Bernardo unintentionally.

Not being a hundred percent spoiler spoiler in end the tension between two groups made even bigger. Towards the ending Chino shoots Tony, and as usual the female main cast which is Maria preferably shock of what is happening. The two groups surrounded the lovers as Maria holds Tony in her arms.

On the other hand representation is applied in this film. It is the representation of men wherein we can easily identify through their actions and build ups that they are strong and ready to fight. Women in the film are obviously shows their feminity through their dresses and their role in the society.

 West Side Story also represents the gaps in the society between the white (Jets) black/native (Sharks). Nowadays we can’t truly says that the issue of nationality is over since there are individuals who are fun of making jokes to people who are different from them most especially when it comes to skin color.