Steven Spielberg took on a daunting — maybe even foolhardy — task in attempting to remake West Side Story, the classic tale of the Jets and the Sharks set on the Upper West Side in the 50s.
Parts of the movie were filmed on the Upper West Side.
And people got their first look at the trailer during the Oscars broadcast on Sunday night, and some early reactions from the entertainment press seem positive.
“In Hollywood’s apparent quest to revive every classic film, this is one we can actually get excited about,” Esquire wrote. “The adaptation of the iconic 1957 Broadway musical is Steven Spielberg’s dream production, and it sure looks like all his dreams—and diehard fans’ wishes—came true.”
A writer for NY Mag’s Vulture was ready to dance.
“Look at all of the swoopy dresses! Chainmail fences! The promise of epic choreography! Yeah, we’re already shaking our bums.”
Check it out below and let us know what you think. The movie is set to be released in December.
It looks like the Church of the Ascension on 107th street makes a cameo in the trailer! I can’t wait to see the final film.
There are other UWS connections. The male lead, Ansel Elgort, grew up on the UWS, as did another cast member, Harrison Coll. Both of them attended Trinity School on West 91st Street.
So nu?
It’ll be fun seeing an updated and perhaps more culturally astute version of the show. It’ll also be occasion to reflect on what’s been gained and lost since San Juan Hill was bulldozed to make way for Lincoln Center and so-called urban renewal, displacing thousands of people and small businesses. Forced to move uptown for lower rents, they created a new thriving community — which eventually led to another musical called “The Heights.”
Yes, urban renewal can be controversial, but in this instance was a good thing overall. Lincoln Center is a wonderful place and Washington Heights is a thriving neighborhood.
Back in 1957 a similar play took center stage on B’way, as race relations between the Irish (Westies) and Puerto Rican gangs (Mau Maus, Vampires) was escalating. Two years later, NYC experienced The Capeman Murder.
Considering all the present day tension going on, I hope we’ve matured as a society.
Sixty plus years later , , , here is hoping for a better outcome!
I saw this as a 14 or 15 yr old and am 73…Now ALL the Grandchildren in the family will have their version…I think that’s great, and I will be one of the first to see this one!