Spielberg was obsessed with the original cast soundtrack of West Side Story before the original film had been made. He used to imagine the action and dancing that might accompany it. Finally, he has translated idle daydreams into celluloid magic with a blistering reworking of one of cinema’s most iconic films.
The story focuses on teenagers Tony and Maria who fall in love despite having affiliations with street gangs, the Jets and Sharks in 1950s New York. Romeo and Juliet is the source material here with Ansel Elgort (Baby Driver) as Tony and newcomer Rachel Zegler as Maria. Expect plenty of focus on the racial elements and dazzling choreography.