Yes, I already saw it at the cinema - twice - but that didn't stop me from watching it again tonight.
It isn't the love story that draws me in - oh, no, especially as Tony and Maria knew each other just a little over 24 hours.
That isn't love, it's lust, especially when talking of a twenty-something and a teen.
No, I'm there for the dance numbers and the clever songs and the rumbles and interactions between two groups of guys fighting each other, and the police, senselessly over derelict property that's to be torn down in weeks.
Early on, the detective told the Jets they were the "last of the 'can't make it' Caucasians" and the guys didn't even bat an eyelash over the insult.
Then, later, at the dance, when the person in charge tells the crowd that they're part of "a social experiment" and they're "the guinea pigs", rather than be chagrined the guys snort back at him as those animals would have done.
Squabbling over dirt was what they knew and all they wanted.
Not so for those who were part of the Sharks; they were proud to have jobs and to be heading toward a better tomorrow, even though that might not happen when the projects were torn down and preppy lofts were constructed in their stead.
So, since I've seen this movie so often over the years, why was I there tonight?
Well, I really like the changes to three of the songs in this new version.
It isn't the words that have been altered, it's the settings, and those are much better!
Take "Gee, Officer Krupke", one of my absolute favorites.
In the 1961 movie, the song was performed in the streets, but for this 50th anniversary film the boys are actually at the police station, left to their own devices after the cops all have to leave for some emergency.
In the 1961 movie, the song was performed in the streets, but for this 50th anniversary film the boys are actually at the police station, left to their own devices after the cops all have to leave for some emergency.
The funniest part was the hooker there with them locked herself into the holding cell rather than be in the midst of these boys gone wild.
(smile!)
The next song that pleased me with its changes was "Cool", which featured an argument between Tony and Riff over a gun the latter planned to take to a rumble.
In the 1961 movie, Tony was not even there in the warehouse when this number was sung, nor was Riff as he had died earlier; those are big changes.
I also like that this newer version had them on a dilapidated bridge pockmarked with holes in its wooden floor; perhaps an extension on the holes in the relationship of these two who had once been closer than brothers?
(smile!)
The final song favorite was, of course, "I Feel Pretty" (which I can hardly think about these days without picturing Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson singing with such glee!).
In the 1961 movie, the tune was performed in the cramped apartment she shared with her brother Bernardo and his girlfriend Anita.
I really liked that it was given a dressed up opportunity to shine as Maria took advantage of her job in a fancy department store to ham it up as only an 18-year-old girl can, with her fellow employees catching her enthusiasm and joining in.
That was such fun!
(smile!)
I'd like to see this movie used in middle-school classrooms, I truly would.
History, diversity, values, economics, social studies... so many different areas that could be taught using lessons from this story, as a more modern "Romeo And Juliet" (which was its basis) with more approachable language for today's youth.
Seriously, the time for these lessons is when their critical thinking skills are being forged, before they hit their teens.
This is not just for adults.
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