Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread- Page 32
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#775
Posted: 9/16/21 at 4:56pmThe visual approach to this film seems to wink repeatedly to “The Outsiders,” which was certainly read as homoerotic as well.
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#776
Posted: 9/16/21 at 5:16pm
darquegk said: "The visual approach to this film seems to wink repeatedly to “The Outsiders,” which was certainly read as homoerotic as well."
That's a great observation darquegk, I thought I was the only one! I went to see "Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" last weekend with some friends and the "West Side Story" trailer was shown and we all commented on how much the look of the gang members, especially The Jets reminded us of "The Outsiders"
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#777
Posted: 9/16/21 at 6:00pmSo has anybody noticed anything in the trailer that looked like “Gee, Officer Krupke” or “Cool”? I’m very interested to see how they handle those two. It’s likely they go with the stage version giving they’re trying to be closer to that one than the film, but I’m hoping it’s the movie version which I like more.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/23/08
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#778
Posted: 9/16/21 at 6:16pm
NameGreg said: "So has anybody noticed anything in the trailer that looked like “Gee, Officer Krupke” or “Cool”? I’m very interested to see how they handle those two. It’s likely they go with the stage version giving they’re trying to be closer to that one than the film, but I’m hoping it’s the movie version which I like more."
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?
Did anyone else notice that in the trailer, Maria, Rosalia and some of the other Shark girls are housekeeping staff at the Gimbels department store? I think that's another interesting change, in addition to Bernardo being a boxer.
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#779
Posted: 9/16/21 at 6:42pm
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.
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#780
Posted: 9/16/21 at 6:46pm
degrassifan said:
Did anyone else notice that in the trailer, Maria, Rosalia and some of the other Shark girls are housekeeping staff at the Gimbels department store? I think that's another interesting change, in addition to Bernardo being a boxer."
I noticed that as well as all that new dialogue. I also noticed that in a shot from the "Dance at the Gym" - the character of "Maria" is actually dancing and not on the sidelines looking on as she was in the original show and film.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/23/08
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#781
Posted: 9/16/21 at 7:14pm
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.
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#782
Posted: 9/16/21 at 7:21pm
degrassifan said: "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.
Ok. Great catch - I missed that. Some of those scenes were flying by….I am intrigued on what this scene could actually be, and it could very well be a re-interpreted version of “Cool” as you suggested.
Sondheim did mention in his interview on Colbert that we would be surprised at how the songs are actually utilized in this new adaptation.
I’m down for a new interpretation of an old classic so my excitement for this film is high.
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#783
Posted: 9/17/21 at 10:05am
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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/31/12
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#784
Posted: 9/17/21 at 1:12pm
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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/23/08
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#785
Posted: 9/17/21 at 2:11pm
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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/18/17
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#786
Posted: 9/17/21 at 2:24pm^ Something doesn’t feel right about retaining the 50’s setting.
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#787
Posted: 9/17/21 at 2:30pm
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.
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#788
Posted: 9/17/21 at 4:09pm
Kad said: "Reading queerness into a depiction of a hyper-masculine homosocial dynamic like a midcentury street gang is hardly out there or controversial. Such things were foundational for queer culture for decades (think of what kind of men Tom of Finland drew, for a more explicit example). Joevitus isn't saying WSS is definitively a depiction of gay romance, but there's definitely subtext there that people can parse if they so choose."
Thank you.
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#789
Posted: 9/17/21 at 4:10pm
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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/18/17
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#790
Posted: 9/17/21 at 4:18pm
Musical Master said: "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 beover 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."
Even though I never seen WSS on stage, I would find the Somewhere Ballet entertaining.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/11/11
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#791
Posted: 9/17/21 at 4:20pm
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?
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/31/12
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#792
Posted: 9/17/21 at 4:44pm
If the Somewhere Ballet was cut, we would've heard the Tony/Maria duet version in the trailer
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/23/08
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#793
Posted: 9/17/21 at 4:55pm
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! :)
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/18/17
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#794
Posted: 9/17/21 at 4:59pm^ In the first teaser, there was Valantina singing it
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/31/12
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#795
Posted: 9/17/21 at 5:09pm
I hope the soundtrack comes out before the movie
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#796
Posted: 9/17/21 at 5:27pm
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 every time 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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/31/12
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#797
Posted: 9/17/21 at 5:40pm
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#798
Posted: 9/17/21 at 5:41pm
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.
They did. Her name is Valentina.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread#799
Posted: 9/17/21 at 5:44pm
It's really, really obvious in the trailer. Lolz.
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