West Side Story

West Side Story (1961) starring Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, George Chakiris, Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn. Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. Romeo and Juliet story is brought up to date, with story set in 1950s in New York City. Wood plays Maria, a Puerto Rican girl, who falls in love with Tony (Beymer), a Caucasian-American. The songs and the dancing are stylized, and totally involving. The movie won ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and deservedly so. Even though it's 50 years old, the film still holds up today, with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and choreography by Robbins. Subtitles in English are available on the disc, as well as closed captions. Grade: A-