West Side Story (1961)

A nostalgic favorite for me. This is the musical version of Romeo and Juliet. On the streets of New York there are two rival gangs - The Jets (whites) and The Sharks (Puerto Ricans). The two groups are fighting over the territory that the Jets have controlled and the Sharks want. One night there is a dance in the neighborhood. Both gangs are there and tensions are high. The real problem begins when a former Jet, Tony (Richard Beymer), sees a beautiful girl across the room. Maria (Natalie Wood) sees Tony also and they fall in love at first sight. Maria is the sister of Bernardo (George Chakiris), the leader of the Sharks. When Bernardo sees his sister with Tony a fight almost breaks out. That is when Bernardo and Riff (Russ Tamblyn), the Jets leader, decide to have a rumble to settle the fight over the turf. Maria and Tony fear that if there is a rumble their family and friends will never accept their relationship. Now they set off to stop the fight before it is to late.

I love this movie. It has a special place in my heart because it was one of my mom's favorites. The music is wonderful. There are a lot of familiar songs - I Feel Pretty, America, Maria and Tonight. The performance were wonderful and the 152 minute film just flew by. I highly recommend this one for all movie fans.