Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread — Page 57

This film has received such strong and positive word of mouth I don’t have a doubt it will get Oscar nominations. How many and in which categories and most importantly if it will win any is really anybody’s guess

Question: why do you all find the need to explain yourselves? Just move on. Some will get your point, many won’t. That’s life. Just walk away if one person wants to argue.

SpiritualGangster said: "I was reading through the digital press kit last night and was pleasantly surprised that Peter Gennaro received credit for his contribution to the original choreography. He was never credited for this in the original production or the film.”

If you look back at ALL the original credits and indeed Peter Gennaro was ALWAYS credited as co-choreographer. That he wasn’t singled out and mentioned regarding his contribution is another story, but he is indeed fully credited as co-choreographer in the 1957 Broadway production. He isn’t on the 1961 film adaptation.

Review embargo is over, so the reviews are coming out now.

https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/west-side-story-review-steven-spielberg-ansel-elgort-rachel-zegler-1235122664/

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/dec/02/west-side-story-review-steven-spielberg

I'm excited to see this on the big screen, especially after these reviews.

I'm a little confused by earlier comments about Ansel's voice. I've listened to an early release of the soundtrack and I think he sounds marvelous. Quite possibly my favorite Tony on a recording. And FAR better than the comparisons to Crowe and Butler. But to each their own.

Rotten Tomatoes score is current at 92% ... the original '61 version was 93% so it's not impossible that this could end up surpassing that. I just checked advance ticket sales for the IMAX screening I purchased tickets for yesterday for December 10th and my tickets are still the only seats sold ... that surprises me. Obviously the pre-sales (at least in my location) are not crashing the ticketing system the way SPIDERMAN: NO WAY HOME did when they went on sale.

I know it will never happen but but I think MISS SAIGON would be a film version that I would like to see Spielberg tackle.

Theatre Fan3 said: "I know it will never happen but but I think MISS SAIGON would be a film version that I would like to see Spielberg tackle."

I've been saying that the MISS SAIGON film is the movie musical I wanted to see Speilberg make since I first heard he wanted to someday make a musical. Was actually a little sad when this WEST SIDE was announced as I fear it means my Saigon dream now won't come true!

I'm not surprised that presales are not off the chart. I think this will be a slow burn type of box office - musical theater peeps getting in to see it, and then spreading word of mouth. Is it going to be a financial juggernaut? Doubtful, IMO. The masses just aren't as connected to musical theater as they once seemed to be.



(Presales in my community are also close to nothing.)

And Rotten Tomatoes is already up to 94%.

I agree this will likely be a slow born, propelled by great reviews, good word-of-mouth, the kind of movie you can see with your family at the holidays, and eventually award nominations.

Interestingly, I just went through Spirlberg’s filmography on Wikipedia and every movie he’s made since 1974’s The Sugarland Express has made more (I think Wikipedia uses world box office) than it’s budget. Of course, in some cases the margins are so thin (i.e. 97’s Amistad) the movie likely didn’t turn a profit once theaters took their cut, etc… At least until they hit VHS/DVD (and now streaming) release and licensing to premium cable (i.e. HBO, etc.)

So I have no doubt it’ll turn a profit. Whether, it’ll be a smash hit remains to be seem, but I’m hopeful.

Very interesting reading from the reviews that Tony is an ex convict now. Initially I thought "Why?" and some of these reviewers feel similar, but then honestly, his moment in the rumble where he stabs Bernardo- it has to make sense that our leading man who sings rapturous romantic Bernstein music does this. I think this is a smart way that that choice doesn't feel exclusively for shakespearian plotting.

These story elements in the original show never bother me cause I always see West Side Story as its own dreamy tragic shakespearian tone poem in its own world. That's why the Jerome Robbins choreography always feels necessary cause it defines the rules of our ballet inspired gang world we're watching.

I'm really curious to see how Spielberg balances the fantastical element with the gritty. It sounds so far like he does it with aplomb.

Kad said: "Presales are really only a good indicator for films with really enthusiastic and large built-in fanbases (Marvel films, Star Wars, etc). West Side Story isn't that."

Not to mention WSS will likely skew older, and those crowds probably don't care about pre-sales. Besides, it's not like anyone has to worry about spoilers with this one.

rattleNwoolypenguin said: "This is gonna sound so eyerolly basic but I think they would have guaranteed box office if they actually had decided to release this on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day."

The original release date was December 18, 2020. Who can remember that far back, but there could have been another major release on Christmas that they were trying to avoid. I think it's actually smart to release a week earlier this year, or else they'd be lost in the Spider-Man wake.

Globefan said: "Rachel Zegler just won her first award. She won Best Actress at the National Board of Review Awards"

A star has truly been born.

Globefan said: "Rachel Zegler just won her first award. She won Best Actress at the National Board of Review Awards"

My girl!!! I'm so happy for her! I just love that film Twitter and doubters are eating crow now that this film is being well-received. Idk how box office will be like, but hoping for the best! That's the last major hurdle... In the Heights was well-received and look what happened.