It is New York City in the late 1950's. Tony (Richard Beymer) is the leader of the street gang known as the Jets. Sons of first and second generation New Yorkers who immigrated from Europe decades before, the Jets act like they own the town and dislike anyone invading their space.
The Sharks, led by Bernardo (George Chakiris), are Puerto Rican teens who have come to New York with their families for a chance at a better life. All they find, however, is rascism and intolerance.
The Jets and Sharks frequently clash, sometimes violently, in the streets, and must constantly be stopped by cops including Officer Krupke (William Bramley). One day, the Sharks and Jets meet at a dance where Tony meets Bernardo's little sister, Maria (Natalie Wood). They instantly fall madly in love.
But how can Tony and Maria be together at all when their respective gangs are at war with each other?
West Side Story, loosely based on William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, swept the 1962 Academy Awards, garnering 11 nominations and taking home ten of the statuettes including Best Picture of 1961.
While the supporting performances are solid, the main characters aren't really believable. For one thing, Natalie Wood isn't even Puerto Rican; her voice was dubbed throughout the entire picture. Although some people could get over this minor detail, it really affects the whole picture. Richard Beymer, on the other hand, plays an ok Tony, but the leading couple aren't belivable together. There is no chemistry. It would have been something else to see what Elvis Presley would have been like in the role of Tony had that evil idiot manager of his allowed him to take the role.
Overall, the acting in the film is only so-so (Judy Garland and Montgomery Clift were certainly far better in Judgement at Nuremberg) and the music is mostly forgettable. But while West Side Story was named the 41st best film of all time by the AFI, but I can name a dozen musicals that are better and more highly regarded. West Side Story hasn't stood the test of time very well and feels dated more and more every time it is viewed. In the years to come, West Side Story may only be remembered as the best picture of 1961.
Plot: 
The plot is a tried and true story. It is the ultimate love story. If done correctly, Shakespeare's stories are always winners. (Just look what was done by Baz Luhrmann with Romeo + Juliet)
One of the few faults of this picture is the casting. It could have been cast better. Much better. And I'm sure Elvis Presley would have been exceptional in the role of Tony.
Visual Effects:
There are no real special effects in the film but aside from that, the cinematography was well done. The songs and dances are all filmed nicely.
Sound:
West Side Story is a musical and, like all musicals, has several songs sung by the cast who dance around wildly while singing. These same songs songs are mostly forgettable; the only memorable song is "Gee, Officer Krupke," and even that's a stretch. And although three of West Side Story's songs made the AFI's top 100 list, none of them are all that special anyway.
Character Development:
Like Shakespeare's play, the characters all change in big ways. This film, however, does not use Shakespeare's ending, but add's it's own twist, which works to some degree.
Atmosphere:
West Side Story is a hard movie to get into because it has aged so much over the years. It is not an action movie by any means, so your average male probably won't really like it. Be warned.
Realism:
Warren’s Rating:
Movies it was nominated with for Best Picture:
Fanny; The Guns of Navarone; The Hustler; Judgment at Nuremberg
7.14/10 Is the movie worth your time to watch?
03-08-05
Age at win: 27
Nominated for: Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Bernardo, West Side Story
Nomination: 1/1 (acting), 1/1 (total); Win: Only
George Chakiris plays Bernardo, the older brother of Maria and the leader of the street gang known as the Sharks. George Chakiris plays the part of Bernardo faily well untill his untimly death. Not at all Puerto Rican (he is actually Greek), he does a better job playing Bernardo than Natalie Wood did playing Maria (Chakiris' voice was never dubbed, for one thing).
There is not a lot to be said of his role, as it is a smaller role than than that of the Maria or Tony roles, but it is an important role none-the-less. Chakiris dose, however, act much better than anyone else in the picture, which isn't saying much because the acting, for the most part, was only so-so.
03-08-05
Age at win: 30
Nominated for: Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Anita, West Side Story
Nomination: 1/1 (acting), 1/1 (total); Win: Only
Rita Moreno plays Anita, the best friend of Maria and Maria's loyal and true confidant.
Rita Moreno's part in West Side Story is even smaller than George Chakiris' part, and there really isn't much to say about it, yet Moreno still manages to make a decent performance stand out. The Role of Anita couldn't have been played any different or acted any better. ...Well actually, it could have.
03-08-05
George Chakiris
DOB: September 16, 1934;
George Chakiris' performance
Rita Moreno
DOB: December 11, 1931
Rita Moreno's performance
