West Side Story movie re-make — Page 2

As an aspiring Writer/Director, I would dare to touch this classic. Make it modern without changing a single word or dance move. In fact, I wrote a screenplay already (for my amusement of course). My screenplay is set against the backdrop of a 1957 New York City, when the original stage version opened.

After seeing the breathtaking revival back in 2009, I was blown away by it's authenticity. It was far more realistic, and the addition of the new Spanish lyrics and dialogue made it even more outstanding. I would love to bring that to the screen. See a much more violent agenda exist between the gangs. See a more romantic/sexual relationship between Tony and Maria (as seen in the revival). Use the new Spanish lyrics, keep the original stage version of "America" as well as switching back "I feel Pretty" (now known as "Me Siento Hermosa") to after the rumble, as well as "Gee, Officer Krupke."

There are many ways to retell the story without changing the time period in which it's set or any of the choreography. I agree when many say Hollywood destroys classics by making remakes or adaptations. My vision of this amazing musical is far from typical Hollywood. Also when it comes to casting for a remake, I don't see myself casting anyone of my generation (I am 19 years old), I'd cast a set of unknowns who are more than qualified.

I hear after Porgy and Bess, Paulus is turning to fixing WSS. I hear first the title will be changed to "Bernstein's West Side Story". Then she'll add a scene to show how Tony and Riff became friends and why Tony left the Jets. That's just such a plot hole that leaves audiences today questioning and makes Tony's actions suspect. Krupke is very one dimensional so he gets a new song about why he wanted to be a cop and how he's tried so hard but now he's had to harden - that way, his motivation and dislike for the Sharks is more relatable. And Anita gets a new song to explain why she decides to help the man who killed her boyfriend. "A Boy Like That" just doesn't do it - it's too simple. And the ending should probably be happier - all of the gangmembers throw down their guns and knives and have a big group hug. And to make it more relevant, the Jets are now African American and rap their songs. And to please Sondheim, Maria will not sing that it's alarming how charming she feels.

As with My Fair Lady, the only possible reason to remake the otherwise consummate movie we already have is to showcase a leading lady who actually does her own singing. The fact that Hepburn and Wood didn't sing Eliza and Maria is the only fault I can find with either of those two films. I don't think that demerit, unfortunate as it may be, justifies a remake of either West Side Story or My Fair Lady. And I agree that this is especially true in the case of West Side Story which is as cinematically novel and exciting today as it was when it was first released.

As everyone has, I have a list of favorite movies that I've always felt should NEVER be remade. For example, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Suddenly, Last Summer. "Don't refilm them, I'll never watch!" Then one day at the library, I saw a copy of SLS with Maggie Smith and Natasha Richardson. Two of my favorite actresses. I was tempted. Rented it. Watched it. Loved it. It didn't diminish my love of the Taylor/Hepburn film at all. And I enjoyed seeing a different take from two different actresses. Also, I remember when I first read somewhere that Diana Rigg and David Suchet had performed Virginia Woolf in London some years back. Boy, I thought, I'd love to see that on film. So I guess my idea of never re-filming good movies has been dented. Granted, WSS is a classic film, every aspect of that movie clicked, and a remake would never duplicate it. But another version of it with a qualified cast and crew could proof enjoyable.

Remember the remake of The Music Man with Matthew Broderick
and Kristen Chenowith? Shouldn't that abortion of a remake in itself be enough to deter anyone from remaking perfection?

A West Side Story re-make thread? Really? How ludicrous! This movie will NEVER be remade. No one dares touch a MASTERPIECE.

Movies just crying out for remakes:

The Sound of Music -- this time, let's cast a real nun. I mean everybody laughs that Julie Andrews hadn't taken her vows before filming this. And maybe they can use real Nazis this time.

Gone With the Wind --- cast a real Southerner in the lead, for crap's sake! Nobody buys that pretty British girl as Scarlett. And they changed so much from the book. It's just terrible. Let's make sure Scarlett has all four kids in this new version. And Rhett needs a southern accent. Who's that guy who plays him in the old one? He doesn't know what he's doing.

Mary Poppins --- I hear she didn't do her own flying in this. Cast an actress who's right for the part, this time! Oh, and make sure you use all those fantastic new songs from the Broadway musical version, because they make it SO much better!

Wizard of Oz -- that girl was too old who played Dorothy! And no more ruby slippers! They weren't in the book. And maybe they can have the field mice now, instead of making it snow on the poppy field. That was lame. And be sure to add all those fantastic new songs from the Andrew Lloyd Weber version! It makes it so much better. And use a real lion this time! Or just use Aslan from the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. He hasn't worked a lot lately, and he's really convincing in the part. No fake lions! I mean, who would buy that today?

Singin' in the Rain --- let's cast it with good dancers this time! And that young gal who played Kathy Seldon. She couldn't sing a high C. Maybe we can get Kristin Chenoweth to play her now. She has a bigger range. Okay, even if none of the songs have a high C in them. And who watches silent movies anymore? Let's make it about rap vs. old school! And Lina Lamont can be played by Linda Ronstadt, and she can try to be a rapper, but they have to dub her with Jay-Z. And at the end we all know it's Jay-Z and not Linda. That would be SO much better.

It's a Wonderful Life---that movie just sucks because it's not in color. This time cast new actors who are in color, and make it good for a change.

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"Charlie Kane" ... and hat!

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They can have a whole Rosebud sequence, just like Follies' Loveland! They could even reuse the same backdrop if they want to save money. That's where Young Charlie can show us how hopeful he was before he got bitter. And it can be on ice! Because it's winter and all, with the sleigh and everything.

As far as it ruining the ending, who cares? Nobody gets that ending anyway.

I can see a whole opening number inside a snow globe ...

Then a big sleazy bar number, like "Summertime" but in the wrong key, for the second wife when she's drunk and being interviewed. Hey, who should we cast as the interviewer? I vote for Oprah! Or maybe Barbara Walters, but she's old.

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Updated On: 8/22/11 at 10:27 AM

3D is cool. Maybe they could have the inside of Xanadu look just like the roller rink in that other (better) movie.

Then he could go around from room to room and yell at his wife and throw things.

But he would skate there ... and glow!

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Dakota Fanning = Dakota WINNING!

And how about casting Sarah Michele Geller as his first wife, because she was on "All My Children" and so was Ruth Warrick, who played it in the really old movie!

That would be a fantastic connection that nobody would remotely get!

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As you watch practically every frame of MY FAIR LADY, there is a reason to see it remade. WEST SIDE STORY is perfect, exactly the way it is. That revival was horrible, imo.

Updated On: 8/23/11 at 11:44 PM