The fight is over before it begins.Steven Spielbergmakes that much obvious in the opening shot of hisWest Side Story.
How can it not be when audiences are immediately introduced to a collapsed and dilapidated building?
Perhaps even more so.
So starts a more visceral and, at times, violent rivalry between Spielbergs Sharks and Jets.
And as these events unfold, the filmmakers reasons for re-adapting the original 1957 Broadway musical become clear.
Americas most acclaimed director remains undaunted in his quest to become its most visible on-screen conscience.
And, indeed, allusions to ShakespearesRomeo and Julietfind new echoes in Spielbergs compositions here.
Now the newWest Side Storyfinds its mainstream audience at another crossroads which looks painfully familiar.
Perhaps thats why he collaborated again with hisLincolnandMunichscreenwriter, Tony Kushner.
If there really is a forgotten America, here are the ones who will remember when theyre stepped over.
Of course these themes were always present in the originalWest Side Story.
But today, only the most strident Texan school board would find fault with that critique.
The whole movie thus acts as an extension of Anita and Bernardos America barnburner.
Whatisthis land theyve made a home in?
None of which is to say Spielberg loses the thread of making a swooning romance for the ages.
The competing pulls of love and hate ultimately conspire as Spielberg takes hisWest Side Storyto its inevitable end.
But the hate, anger, and fear that drove those gangs remain.
As does the human capacity to love and forgive.
West Side Storyopens Dec. 10 in the U.S. and UK, only in theaters.
Rating:
5 out of 5
