West Side Story and The Tragedy of Macbeth: Reviews
Well, one is Shakespeare. One is based on a Shakespearean play. Neither is my favorite Shakespearean play, but here we go…
West Side Story
Y’all, they did not make this movie for me. I did not like the original West Side Story. I don’t like Romeo and Juliet. Most of the music gives me an eye tic. I tell you that up front in case you love West Side Story and cannot abide slander about it. If that is the case, skip on down to Macbeth.
My favorite part of the original was Rita Moreno. My favorite part of this new version is…Rita Moreno. I would’ve said there was no reason to remake this film, but having Latinx characters played by Latinx actors is a definite plus. Also, gotta love all of that Spanish without subtitles. Well, I did. That was my second favorite part.
That said, it’s Romeo and Juliet which means a) it’s a tragedy and b) the insta-love is frustrating. Add to that the toxic masculinity and racism of the 1950s, and this ain’t going to be relaxing popcorn fare. As for performances, Ariana DeBose was STUNNING as Anita. Rachel Zegler was a perfect Maria. Ansel Elgort? Eh. I don’t care for Tony, so it’s hard to say. I thought he did fine, but in the middle of the movie Ryan said, “Zegler’s back has to be hurting from carrying Baby Driver” so do with that what you will.
It’s Spielberg, so the narrative flows better than the original. Certain scenes like “America” and “I Feel Pretty” are especially improved. I did not check my watch nearly as many times as I did during the original movie version we just watched back in the spring.
This is a movie for people who
love the original West Side Story
love Rita Moreno
love Romeo and Juliet
love Leonard Bernstein
This isn’t a movie for people who
think Romeo and Juliet and stories like it are pretty stupid because there are a hundred places where people could’ve made better decisions, i.e. you don’t believe much in the impetuousness of youth because you are a first-born or only child who waited until her thirties to really start making questionable decisions (What? Too personal?)
don’t want to watch gang members pirouhette to a clarinet
don’t like the songs of the original
The Tragedy of Macbeth
I keeping thinking of this version of Macbeth as the black and white Calvin Klein perfume commercial version. Spare, weird, haunting—but not necessarily in a good way.
I’m an English major and thus am required to have an appreciation for Shakespeare. I’ve seen several movies and plays and especially love going to The Shakespeare Tavern. I was excited to see Denzel Washington as Macbeth and Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth. They are both awesome.
But, y’all, in addition to the spare and creepy set, we have a witch problem. Imagine if Andy Serkis were a contortionist. That’s how they’re playing the three witches. Only, there’s only one witch who sometimes seems to multiply.
My favorite moment watching this movie was when I told Ryan, “Look, it ain’t Shakespeare unless there’s a drunk character and a penis joke.” Lo and behold if the drunk character didn’t make the penis joke right at that moment. Ah, fun times.
This is a movie for people who
love Shakespeare
have a tolerance for old English
love spare sets and that weird Calvin Klein commercial aesthetic
This isn’t a movie for people who
do not love Shakespeare
want to know exactly what is going on at all times
are freaked out by contortionist old ladies who sound as though they had a twenty-pack-a-day habit
#MondayMovies disclaimer: This blog is just for my thoughts. Sure, I’m a writer and an English major so I have some idea—we would hope—of how stories work. I’m also a flawed human being with my owns likes and dislikes, though, so please watch any movie you like and love it or hate it or just go for the popcorn. (Also, there will likely be a post a day leading up to the Oscars because I have quite a few films left)