Spielberg’s West Side Story — Page 3

I've always thought the original was fine. By no means a clunker of an adaptation - like, say, GYPSY - but also one that now feels overacted and for large stretches, static.

I think there's room for another film almost 60 years later. And this is as damn near an A-List team as it gets.

She might be too old for the role, but Vanessa Hudgens would be a great Maria. I wouldn't be surprised if they cast newcomers for the majority of the roles. I do think Anita could be a role that might involve stunt casting.

I really wonder how they will tackle all the non-singing dancing scenes. I really think they will reduce the length of all the stand alone dance numbers.

Here's the one insurmountable problem with remaking any of these classical musicals. Audiences today can never buy into lip syncing and are too hip to have it hidden from them. There are wonderful actresses and singers with wonderful voices, but there are no more super talented charismatic stars like Julie Andrews or Shirley Jones who could do both. On the male side, Hugh Jackman is the only actor I can think of that would qualify, but that's about it.

Frankly, I think that the original 1961 film version of West Side Story would be the best way to inspire younger generations to be interested in it. A re-make of West Side Story is a lousy idea, no matter what anybody else says or thinks, or no matter who's make-making it.

Tom5 said: "Audiences today can never buy into lip syncing and are too hip to have it hidden from them. There are wonderful actresses and singers with wonderful voices, but there are no more super talented charismatic stars like Julie Andrews or Shirley Jones who could do both. On the male side, Hugh Jackman is the only actor I can think of that would qualify, but that's about it."

Dear Tom Hooper,

This post is a disgrace and completely separated from reality. I hate to be repetitive but it is people like you that are ruining the artform on film. Waking you up is my duty.

Audiences are very much used to understanding singing over a filmclip, they walk around all day with songs and clips on their phones and are moved by it. They understand the magic of sung thoughts and how that works on their screens. It's an artform they are exposed to every day. This is not about "hiding" the fact that it is not literal. It is about understanding that non-literal sung thoughts pre recorded take it to the next level and away from literacy.

I think there is a very fine line between truthful singing that works in film, versus going overboard one way or another. They either go overboard Broadway style or they go overboard soap opera, speak-bleating, apologizing for singing style. Which are both funest in film and make people feel they are far removed from it.

In your Les Mis film, Hugh Jackman makes both mistakes in 1 line all the time, which is quite unbelievable.

People will always wonder why one is singing if the singing makes no sense and the actor apologizes for it, and acts in spite of it.

The material is written in a way for a reason. The melodies and lyrics create a power beyond belief. I think that in fact this "overemoting" is not only disrespectful to the material, but it makes scenes lose its sincerity and truthfulness. It basically puts the singing in an apologizing role which makes it feel very posturing and overly dramatic. This is the reason that viewers can't engage. This is what viewers do not buy. This is why people were laughing during dramatic scenes in the cinema and leaving with the idea that it was not truthful. It's distraction.

I think it is mainly the underestimation of the material. It may also be a lack of ability to feel the material enough to feel it does the work already. Some performers and directors (like yourself) treat it in a too literal way, too much like soap-drama, which makes this material extremely awkward. As it's per definition not literal. It's the opposite approach that creates the magic.

I also truly wonder if you and people like Hugh Jackman are actually aware of the disconnect and insincerity you create in the material. Separating it and "acting in spite of song" is not "acting through song".

Tom, your style is insincere. Wake up. There are people with sincerity in singing AND acting, just like Julie Andrews, but we need directors that recognize them instead of focusing on Hugh Jackmans.

Dear Tom, please watch this clip and learn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4NNlEPraKo

So what we have learned is this:

1. Separating acting from singing is funest for sincerity.

2. Speak bleating is distracting.

3. Going overboard Broadway style on the last note after 4 words of speak bleating is distracting.

4. Pre-recorded enhances the illusion and emotion of the essence of this artform on film (better than life, so non-literal).

5. This artform is not soap-opera.

6. You should not call Steven.

Updated On: 6/30/18 at 06:00 AM

ucjrdude902 said: "Hollywood is whispering that Camila Cabello (sp?) is after the role of Anita and has met with Spielberg already."

How old is Anita supposed to be?

lovebwy said: "[...] But most of all because of Jerome Robbins' choreography. Nearly 60 years later, it still is electrifying and fresh. Spielberg will have to incorporate it, or it will be a very hard sell for me."

I think I would agree. Given the era, so much of the casting (i.e., Natalie Wood) was acceptable. Although times have changed, perpetuating the same casting methods (casting 'popular' actors, even when they may be ethnically congruous) would be just as sad...

I imagine that it must be very difficult to cast actors in a "timeless" musical who would ultimately ALSO be timeless. ...especially since films, when done well, have the potential to last forever.

It seems clear that the original movie version (outside of Robbin's choreography) hasn't completely held up after the passage of time, and actor popularity have waned.

Tough decisions...

BrodyFosse123 said: "Leads will definitely be recognizable names. This nationwide casting call was more about filling theensemble roles. WEST SIDE STORY is legendary for every single ensemble/dancer having acharactername."

Really?!?! That is not what all the casting call announcements stated. It clearly states what roles they were looking to cast. The lead roles were listed.

Yes, they may have been looking to fill ensemble/dance roles but the purpose for the calls is very clearly stated in the announcements/ads

Updated On: 7/12/18 at 11:45 AM