Rimandato al 23 dicembre, il nuovo adattamento cinematografico del musical classico West Side Story realizzato da Steven Spielberg ha avuto una premiere esclusiva negli States, a New York. Che sembra aver conquistato tutta la critica intervenuta, a conferma dell’incredibile talento del regista e della forza del classico del 1957: Il miglior modo di rendere omaggio all’autore dei testi originali recentemente scomparso, Stephen Sondheim.
È morto Stephen Sondheim, autore di West Side Story e Sweeney Todd
Su twitter si è rovesciato un coro di elogi, per tutti, o quasi, visto che più di uno ha evidenziato in quella di Ansel Elgort (Baby Driver, Colpa delle stelle) una performance più debole delle altre.
West Side Story, il trailer e poster del primo musical di Steven Spielberg
La rivisitazione sceneggiata da Tony Kushner (Angels in America) che segna la prima volta di Steven Spielberg nel musical, è interpretata anche da Rachel Zegler (María), Ariana DeBose (Anita), David Alvarez (Bernardo), Mike Faist (Riff), Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino), Ana Isabelle (Rosalía), Corey Stoll (Tenente Schrank), Brian d’Arcy James (Agente Krupke) e Rita Moreno (nel ruolo di Valentina, proprietaria del negozio in cui lavora Tony).
Steven Spielberg dietro le quinte nella featurette di West Side Story
Qui alcune delle reazioni successive alla premiere:
In testa, Brent Lang di Variety, che oltre a definire il film “audace e commovente” ha sottolineato la drammaticità delle interpretazioni di America e Somewhere. Pur non entusiasta della performance “piatta” di Ansel Elgort, considera già il film e il suo cast come lanciati verso i prossimi Oscar.
Steven Spielberg’s #westsidestory is bold and stirring. The best parts are Tony Kushner’s book and the dramatic reimagining of classic numbers such as “America” and “Somewhere.” Ansel was a bit flat, but the rest of the cast is great and it feels like an #Oscars contender. pic.twitter.com/PAYJcoVAfZ
— Brent Lang (@BrentALang) November 30, 2021
La collega di /Film, Chris Evangelista, ricorda quanto a lungo Steven Spielberg abbia parlato del desiderio di fare un musical e, visto il risultato *fenomenale*, valeva la pena aspettare tanto. Uno “Spielberg di alto livello”.
WEST SIDE STORY is *phenomenal.* Steven Spielberg has been talking about making a musical for almost his entire career, and this was worth the wait. This is top-tier Spielberg.
— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) November 30, 2021
Sorpreso di aver apprezzato il film – e le interpretazioni “incredibili” di Ariana DeBose, Rita Moreno e David Alvarez (non di Elgort) – Robert Daniels sottolinea come il colore della pelle dei portoricani in scena fosse troppo “pallido”.
A shocker: I didn’t dislike Spielberg’s #WestSideStory. It’s not a patch on the original (what is?). People’s skin are rendered way too pale. And the VFX is jarring. But Ariana DeBose and her evocative eyes were incredible. So were Rita Moreno and David Alvarez. Ansel? Eh. pic.twitter.com/OwEPlVuv4L
— Robert Daniels (@812filmreviews) November 30, 2021
La Esther Zuckerman di Thrillist ribadisce l’ovvio, plaudendo al talento di Steven Spielberg e Tony Kushner:
it’s sorta like you shouldn’t underestimate steven spielberg and tony kushner
— Esther Zuckerman (@ezwrites) November 30, 2021
Mentre la sua collega Emma Stefansky cita il “Metodo Kaminsky” confessando di aver sentito il desiderio di immortalare ogni inquadratura del film
WEST SIDE STORY: when every frame of your movie looks like something you’d hang on the walls of your home that’s The Kaminski Method
— 🐛 Emma Stefansky 🐛 (@stefabsky) November 30, 2021
Jesse Hassenger di The AV Club invece lamenta soprattutto il fatto che Steven Spielberg non abbia attualmente in programma di realizzare altri musical
I was hoping that WEST SIDE STORY (2021) would sate my decades-long desire for Spielberg to do a musical. Alas, it is so beautifully shot and staged, such an absolute schooling of the usual musical directors, that I fear I now want him to make two or three more.
— Jesse Hassenger (@rockmarooned) November 30, 2021
“Un trionfo” e una lettera d’amore per New York City, per Erik Davis di Fandango e Rotten Tomatoes…
Steven Spielberg’s #WestSideStory is a TRIUMPH! It's beautiful & brilliantly photographed – a real love letter to NYC w/ a tremendous ensemble cast who truly redefine this classic story for a new generation. Shout outs to @rachelzegler & @ArianaDeBose who CRUSH it in this film. pic.twitter.com/9wJbUJclnV
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) November 30, 2021
…di seguito, altre reazioni sparse prese da twitter
I saw the new West Side Story tonight and WOW it is spectacular. Sweeping, emotional, remarkable staging, each shot looks like a painting, and I swear I didn’t breathe until the credits.
— Alex Wyse (@alexwyse) November 29, 2021
I’m in awe at how phenomenal WEST SIDE STORY is.
Steven Spielberg makes it look easy — but every frame of this film is him at the top of his game.
There’s not a misstep — figuratively or literally.
Oh, and @rachelzegler is about to be one of the biggest stars on the planet. pic.twitter.com/9tZ0yZpPBj
— Jake Hamilton (@JakesTakes) November 30, 2021
WEST SIDE STORY: If it's not quite essential, it's still tremendously entertaining. Vivid, beautiful work from our greatest living American moviemaker. Invigorating choice to have subtitle-less Spanish comprise ~40% of dialogue. David Alvarez is the breakout, but everyone's aces.
— Barry Hertz (@HertzBarry) November 30, 2021
Steven Spielberg’s #WestSideStory is stunning. His first musical is without a doubt superior to the 1961 film. The cinematography, music and dancing are amazing, and most importantly, it treats Puerto Ricans & Latinx community with the respect they deserve. Spielberg delivers. pic.twitter.com/3tb7eSvbzM
— Fico (@FicoCangiano) November 30, 2021
