West Side Story is one of the best-known musicals on Broadway and in movie history. The book-turned-musical has been a Broadway staple since 1957 and received a film adaptation in 1961, which won a record 10 Oscars. Both incarnations garnered all the praise and acclaim any story could ask for, and even all these years later, visionary director Steven Spielberg reinvented the tale for modern audiences.
2021 West Side Story is one of the best of the year, and it only adds to the long list of romantic musicals. If you’re in the mood for more compelling musicals or romantic movies that will melt your heart, look no further. Here are seven movies to watch after West Side Story.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
by Disney The beauty and the Beast is a groundbreaking film and has one of the best film scores to date. A prince and his servants are cursed when visited by a witch. The prince is transformed into a hideous beast, his servants transformed into household objects, and he can only break the spell once he has learned to love and be loved by another. This tale is as old as time, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth revisiting.
The movie is a timeless classic because it’s beautifully animated and has characters you fall in love with. The beast (Robby Benson) is rough and scary, but you see its softer side breaking through. beautiful (Paige O’Hara) is a wonderful, caring, and compassionate person, but not without her own flaws. And then there’s the villain, Gaston (Richard White), which could have the best villain song throughout Disney history.
The beauty and the Beast is a heartwarming love story that features great music and amazing characters. It’s not just one of the best-animated musicals, but one of the best movies ever made.
Titanic
Director james cameronis a hit movie Titanic is an epic that defined a generation. The doomed historic ship is the backdrop for a touching and heartbreaking romance between the upper class Rose (Kate Winslet) and our humble artist, Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio). The budding romance between Jack and Rose is just the tip of the iceberg (pun intended) when it comes to Cameron’s masterful work.
It creates touching emotional drama that leaves the viewer enamored with the film’s grand scale but still devastated by the heartbreaking tragedy. Titanic is a movie that hits you on every level. The cast, score and scope make it one of the greatest that stands the test of time. James Cameron and Steven Spielberg are two of Hollywood’s most beloved directors, primarily for their contributions to the science fiction and adventure genre. However, Titanic and West Side Story show that the two legends can deliver iconic stories in any genre.
West Side Story (1961)
The first film adaptation of West Side Story is an obvious choice when looking for movies similar to the 2021 film. However, the reason we’re suggesting the 1961 version is for comparison. The 1961 film was directed by Robert Sage and featured Richard Beymer like Tony, Nathalie Bois like Maria, and Rita Moreno like Anita, with a dance choreography by Jerome Robbins. The film features the iconic songs and amazing dance numbers that we love, making it one of the stables in movie history.
That said, the film is also extremely dated and a product of its time. A film about Purto Ricans settling in America features only one person of Purto Rican descent in its entire cast. Steven Spielberg took creative liberties and updated the film for a modern audience. Still, the 1961 film is part of cinematic history and helped push the genre forward, even if it’s problematic by today’s standards.
Romeo and Juliet (1968)
If you didn’t know, West Side Story is based on william shakespeareit is Romeo and Juliet. A romance between two lovers caught in the middle of a war, leading to conflict within their families. With Nino Rotait is (The Godfather) amazing score, Romeo and Juliet captures the tone and atmosphere of Shakespeare’s original play.
The film was shot on location in Italy, which adds to its beauty. Leonard Merlan and Olivia Hussey both playing the role of our titular characters and delivering strong performances. This Shakespearean drama is one of the best on-screen retellings of the iconic story.
The Earth
Damien Chazelle’s The award-winning musical is an instant classic. Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) are two budding artists who fall in love. Seb is a musician who wants nothing more than to bring jazz to life, while Mia is an actress trying to turn her passion into a profession. The two are the perfect pair but struggle to balance both their personal lives and their ambitions.
The Earth is a film about people trying to live together while pursuing their dreams and the sacrifices that must be made to pursue those dreams.
With Justin HurwitzOscar-winning music and songs written by john legend, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul; Chazelle’s direction pulls this film together to create one of his best musicals of the modern era.
Shakespeare in love
Set in 1593, Shakespeare in love is a film by the director John Madden. The film follows a young William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) trying to write his next story, Romeo and Ethel, the pirate’s daughter. Viola of Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow) is trying to land a part in his play dressed as a male actor. Inspired by Viola, Shakespeare abandons his original play and sets to work on a new story, Romeo and Juliet.
Although it is not a full-fledged musical, Shakespeare in love is a film that takes us into the heart and mind of the legendary playwright and the same story that inspired West Side Story.
An American in Paris
An American in Paris is inspired by George Gershwinmusical piece of the same name. movie stars Gene Kelly in the lead role of Jerry Mulligan, a World War II veteran who tries to embark on a career as a painter. He falls in love with Lise Bouvier (Leslie Caron), but the two might not be meant to be together.
The film is based on Gershwin’s work and features his music, including An American in Paris. The music, dance numbers and feel-good nature of the film make An American in Paris a delight. This, like West Side Story, is a Hollywood treasure.
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