My second favorite film of all time is West Side Story. Favorite? Fantasia. Back to my second favorite. I grew up on musicals. There wasn’t a time in my life that I don’t remember having not seen West Side Story. This was a film my mother would watch pretty much whenever it was on the television schedule. This is, of course, back when there were only three networks and cable television was more of an idea than anything else. My point is, there wasn’t a time when I discovered West Side Story (or The Music Man, or Fiddler On The Roof, or several others) in the same way that I was introduced to Star Wars, Brazil, or even The Thin Man.
Now we get films regularly released on home video, we are not necessarily beholden to broadcast television as to when to watch our favorite movies. But that comes with its own set of problems, as the theaters are increasingly becoming almost little more than showcases for what is coming to the home video market. Repertory theaters, with a constant flow of second run and classic films are nonexistent now. Seattle used to have a great one, which is where I saw many great films I otherwise would have skipped over in the video store. Unless parents have a healthy stock of classic films in their library, many movie-goers simply won’t discover older films.
The film is a classic, made in 1961, and won multiple Academy Awards. It is an achievement in the musical film genre, much in the same way that The Sound Of Music is. Something about the film, it’s take on the Romeo & Juliet tale, the music, the choreography, whatever, spoke to me then, and continues to do so now.
I was thrilled to have the chance to see West Side Story on the big screen, and even more thrilled to be able to take my children and share it with them. I gave them the choice of going or not, explained a little about the story, and how it was made a long time ago (before I was born, which to a 6 or 8 year old, is apparently an eternity). They both expressed interest in going with me, and I was more than willing to take them.
Déla took to the film like a fish to water. For the next two days, she would occasionally break out in dance, attempting to mimic the moves seen in the film, particularly those of the Jets. More often, however, she would stand there, all “cool” and begin to snap her fingers. During those times she would encourage me to follow suit.
The rumble scene scared her, which is understandable. Two deaths occur on screen, and while it isn’t graphic, especially by today’s standards, it can be shocking. During this scene she buried her head in me, occasionally peeking out. August just sat there, almost dumbfounded l, but certainly mesmerized by the spectacle on the screen.
Neither of them are aware of Romeo & Juliet, so they don’t know West Side Story was based on the famed Shakespeare play. They were able to go into West Side Story almost untainted, with fresh eyes and an open mind. I’ll admit to coloring their perspective a bit by telling them up front it is my second favorite film, but they were free to like it or not on their own. August enjoyed it, but not nearly as much as Déla.
How was it for me? West Side Story is still my second favorite film. Several others give it a run, threatening its spot on the roster, but it hasn’t been replaced yet.