Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread — Page 32

degrassifan said:
Ok so you know those shots with Riff and Tony struggling for a gun and there's sand and dust around them? Idk why, but I have a feeling that scene is "Cool: with maybeeee Tony singing "Cool" to/with Riff and the Jets. I could be way off, but why else would Tony and Riff struggle for a gun?

I don't know about that. I think that was a scene from the actual rumble. I could be wrong though.

SpiritualGangster said: "degrassifan said:
Ok so you know those shots with Riff and Tony struggling for a gun and there's sand and dust around them? Idk why, but I have a feeling that scene is "Cool: with maybeeee Tony singing "Cool" to/with Riff and the Jets. I could be way off, but why else would Tony and Riff struggle for a gun?

I don't know about that. I think that was a scene from the actual rumble. I could be wrong though."

The rumble is a nighttime interior scene. The shot I was referring to happens outside in the daytime.

It's good to know that Sondheim must have really liked the movie and what Spielberg and Kushner did to the musical numbers to give it "energy and freshness". Didn't he also approve of the film adaptation of Sweeney Todd back in 2007? I actually really like that movie, so that's a good sign of things to come.

Globefan said: "Musical Master said: "It's good to know that Sondheim must have really liked the movie and what Spielberg and Kushner did to the musical numbers to give it "energy and freshness". Didn't he also approve of the film adaptation of Sweeney Todd back in 2007? I actually really like that movie, so that's a good sign of things to come."

I think the Somewhere Ballet was left out of the trailer because they want the spectacle to be a surprise."

I don't know why, but I still get the feeling that the Somewhere Ballet will not be in this version either, but I could be wrong. If the movie were more whimsical like La La Land, then I could totally see it. I just don't see a ballet happening in the middle of a realistic piece. Again, I could be so wrong, and I'd happily be wrong! Would love to see a dream ballet in the middle of a modern day movie!

Also, I read a comment where someone said they know people who worked on the film and it is very different from the 1961 version. This film is set against the backdrop of Lincoln Center being built and how it affected the residents living in that area. Some of the songs are in totally different settings, and Tony Kushner has given it a sharp political edge.

Someone on this board did say that the "Somewhere Ballet" is going to be in this version. Of course again, that could be speculation and it was ultimately cut for time (this movie could be over 2 hours and 30 minutes long), but I would love to see what this version of the ballet looks like under Justin Peck's choreography.

Plannietink08 said: "There’s always been homoerotic subtext between Romeo and Mercutio in ROMEO & JULIET. Scholars have said it’s evident in the script, I’m sure at one point Mercutio talks about his erection to Romeo, and contemporary adaptions lean quite heavily into the idea that Mercutio is queer so the gay vibes that Riff gives off make perfect sense and are completely in keeping with the origins of the character."

Indeed, and I appreciate your response as well.

Here is my question or worry I have-and maybe needlessly so.

But on speculation, it seems like Rita Moreno's take on Doc is more thoughtful and a warmer perspective.

(Please correct me if I'm wrong.)

I hope I'm wrong cause I've always thought the theme of the adults in West Side is they are ineffective. They aren't warm or giving these kids enough sense to stop violent behavior. They just kinda shrug and are passively watching them go to war.

So I think to make the character of Doc more a mentor feels like there would be more cause for these kids to not behave how they are.

I dunno, just a thought. If you've seen the movie can you confirm if Rita Moreno's character is different in the way I'm describing?

Globefan said: "If the Somewhere Ballet was cut, we would've heard the Tony/Maria duet version in the trailer"

I don't think that means anything. The song could be used anywhere in the plot and sung by anyone in the movie. Tony/Maria could sing it and it be a ballet or it could not. I don't think it necessarily matters. Who knows? You could end up being right! :)

I hope the soundtrack comes out before the movie

joevitus said: "rattleNwoolypenguin said: "Here is my question or worry I have-and maybe needlessly so.

But on speculation, it seems like Rita Moreno's take on Doc is more thoughtful and a warmer perspective.

(Please correct me if I'm wrong.)

I hope I'm wrong cause I've always thought the theme of the adults in West Side is they are ineffective. They aren't warm or giving these kids enough sense to stop violent behavior. They just kinda shrug and are passively watching them go to war.

So I think to make the character of Doc more a mentor feels like there would be more cause for these kids to not behave how they are.

I dunno, just a thought. If you've seen the movie can you confirm if Rita Moreno's character is different in the way I'm describing?"

I like your insight into the use of the adult characters, but I don't think Doc is supposed to be in the same category as the rest of the adults (which I agree are meant to be percieved the way you describe). I actually think Doc is the worst stereotype in the work, though he's not as common a stereotype, so I don't think he's often recognized as such. But I think he's the "harmless, adorable, warm-hearted Jewish character" and it drives me nuts everytime I see one in old movies or plays. It comes from an era when antisemitism was still felt to be fairly strong, so even Jewish writers presented Jewish characters as meek and mild and docile so as to make them culturally acceptable or lovable. It was actually a kind of Uncle Tom-ism in its way.

So, though I'm not much looking forward to this movie, I LOVE the idea of making Doc a stronger or at least more respectable character. That there would be a female drugstore owner known as Doc in the late 50's/early 60's is not terribly likely, but who knows? Maybe they've changed her name.

"

Valentina is the name of Rita Moreno's character

It's really, really obvious in the trailer. Lolz.