Academy Award-Winning Film Version of “West Side Story”

The movie and its inspiration

The movie, which is a love drama with music and was directed by Robert Wise, was first shown in theaters in 1961. The William Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet served as the primary source of inspiration for the movie. The movie’s New York-based story is mostly around two rival gangs that are caught in a hate-filled circle. The Jets, led by Riff, and the Sharks, under Bernardo, are the two groups. The plot of the film starts when Riff decides that Tony who is his best friend should fight and this is after Tony had left the gang, and that is how the story of the dance came about to prove which gang is the best.

Songs and tension

The film has been able to apply an efficient use of songs. The songs that have been used have been able to lessen tension as well as promote it. In lessening of the tension, there are several songs that have calm lyrics in them. The first song is “Something’s Coming” which has lyrics that are not causing tension in any way. The song is about the hope for the future and that, there is something good that is coming. Having hope that is linked to positivity does not cause tension to an individual but rather makes one calm and this is how I felt when it was watching the song as well as the calmness presented by the characters in the song.

The second song from the film that I have found to have the capability to reduce tension is “Tonight,” and this is because the song is based on the theme of love. In the song, there is the use of romantic and assuring words. The use of romantic and assuring words in the song seems to eliminate tension both to the characters involved and also to the audience, and this is because I have been able to feel calm while watching it.

On the other hand, some songs have been used to elicit tension between the two rival groups. One of such song in the film is “The rumble.” The song begins with hateful words that are used by both rival gangs that create tension amongst themselves. The tension in the songs almost causes a fight between the two rival groups. This is an indication that the song highly promotes tension.

Gang of dancing and singing

The gang of dancing and singing as used in the film works for me due to two main reasons. The first reason is that the utilization of the gang of dancing and singing makes the film to be interesting and this is terms of making the film to captivating in all aspects involved. Through the dancing and singing, I found myself concentrating and this is because the songs and dances used were fantastic, and this is especially when it comes to the songs that were used for competition by the two rival groups.

The second reason as to why the gang of dancing and singing works for me is because they have been used in reinforcing the genre of the film. The genre is musical romantic drama, and thus through the use of gangs that are involved in dancing and singing, the film ensures that the genre comes out clearly. Hence, making the film to work out efficiently.

Language and profanity

The language of the lyricist tends to work and not to work if profanity is entirely avoided. The effects of the profanity depend on the nature of the song that is being used. When it comes to the songs that are romantic and those that do not elicit tension, the absence of the profanity works well, and this is because the message is passed regardless. For instance, in the “Tonight” song there is the use of simple language which makes the song to be interesting since it is easier to understand and this includes words such as “every sight that is seen is Maria.”

On the other hand, songs that are linked to violence do not work without profanity in them, and this is because profanity is used to strengthen the message that is being passed such strengthening the concept of tension. For instance, in the “Rumble” song, there is the use of profanity words such as “They’re gonna get it tonight; the more they turn it on, the harder they’ll fall!” which ensures that the intended tension is felt. Without profanity, the song will be calm and thus will not work well.

Choreography and violence

The choreography that has been used in the film tends to elicit violence, and this is because it is provocative. The two groups are involved in fierce dance battles that are aimed at showing who is the best and in the event there is the application of various choreographies that are violent in nature and this is because they seem to attack each other. Violent choreography has been applied when it comes to songs that have tension in them. This is evident in the “Rumble” song in which at the beginning there is a choreography that is provocative from two gangs.

The film also has some instances whereby the use of choreography does not stimulate violence in any way. This is mainly when it comes to the songs that are romantic in nature, and this is because love and violence are not linked in any way based on the dances that have been used in the film to show romance between the characters.

West Side Story vs. Romeo and Juliet

Based on the knowledge that I have about Romeo and Juliet, this version does not work based on two primary reasons that I have as a result of the analysis that I have done. The first reason is that, in Romeo and Juliet, Juliet seems to be more mature as compared to Maria who in the film tends to mature later. This creates a significant difference between the two female characters. The second reason is regarding the two male characters, and that is Romeo and Tony. Tony is aware of the person with whom he is in love with based on his actions and that is Maria. On the other hand, Romeo at the beginning of the play had an idealistic view when it comes to love, and his love for Juliet love matured as the play went by. This is an indication that the two male characters are distinct and thus reinforcing my stand that the version does not work.