Elise Fraley
Ceremony Oscar Awards It’s getting closer and closer and 10 new films are competing for the Best Picture award: “Belfast”, “Cuda”, “Don’t Look Up”, “Driving My Car”, “Duet”, “King Richard”, “Licorice Pizza” and “Alley” Nightmare” and “The Power of a Dog” and”West side story“.
Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Although “The Power of the Dog” is the long-awaited bust winner because it has already won in that category at the BAFTA Awards and Critics’ Choice Awards, any of the aforementioned films could really shine at the Oscars.
“West side storyIt is the first and last musical directed by the legendary director Steven Spielberg, who previously won the Academy Award for Best Picture for “Schindler’s List.” Now, he is presented with a new chance to be able to win recognition for the second time.
Official ‘West Side Story’ poster. Photo: 20th Century Studios
you can see: Oscars 2022: The nominees for Best Director and who’s the best to win
What do we see in “West Side Story”?
The film is a remake of the classic musical that shows the confrontation between two gangs of different ethnic origins: The Jets (White) and Sharks (Puerto Rican). Within the rivalry, love arises between Tony (Ansel Elgot) and Maria (Rachel Ziegler); But one night a violent confrontation erupted, starting a series of gang murders. A story that will undoubtedly generate more than one emotion thanks to its beautiful musicals that describe the scenes perfectly.
Why does West Side Story win best picture?
Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story continues in theatrical format, but in a movie format, where the footage, sequences, and coloring make the story more realistic. In the same way, the acting and musical scenes remind you that what you are watching is a play.
The famous director has managed to combine the best of both worlds and give us a version that does not disappoint the original.
“West Side Story” is available on Disney Plus. Photo: 20th Century Studios
On the other hand, it is worth noting that the film retains the music of Leonardo Bernstein and the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim. Both are complemented by the choreography of Justin Beck. A musical that will amaze you visually.
Two other significant points worthy of the film winning the Academy Award for Best Picture are the inclusion of Latin actors who speak Spanish without subtitles, and the new rendering of the Anybodys character, who in an earlier version was called ‘Marimacha’ and is now shown as a transgender man.
Iris Minas explains the Anybodys story in West Side Story. Photo: Disney Plus
It remains to wait until Sunday, March 27, and see if the great music manages to win the much-anticipated bust in one of its six nominee categories.
