West Side Story

"West Side Story" was on the other night.  As many times as I've seen it, I can't NOT watch it when it comes on.  In my opinion, it's got the finest music score for a Broadway show ever written - Leonard Bernstein could have retired on that score alone.  In one brilliant, original stroke, it's as if musicals all of a sudden grew up.

And the dancing!  For me, there are really only two great dance movies, "West Side Story" and "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (yes, I'm purposely leaving out Gene Kelly, who was always too full of himself).  The power and athleticism of the dancing is just brilliant (there's that word again).

So there I am the other night - blinds closed (good thing), and singing and dancing around the living room with utter abandon.  Not a pretty sight I'm sure. I laughed, I cried, I got mad and wanted to rumble. I'm sure I did permanent damage to my knees and back, and I'm lucky I didn't break any of the furniture.

Yes, I know it's got a sad ending, and it's violent and all about juvenile dilinquents, etc., etc. But from the opening overhead shot of Manhattan, and the whistle calling all the Jets, it grabs you and doesn't let you go.  I don't even care that Natalie Wood didn't do her own singing.  It's awesome. And totally brilliant!