by Nathaniel R
Today marks 90 years since the blessed birth of the legendary EGOT winner Rita Moreno. With Steven Spielberg's West Side Story remake upon us in theaters, the trailblazing Puerto Rican star is back in the spotlight. Not that light hasn't always followed her.... hell, emanated from her. Are we laying it on thick? Who cares, she deserves it!
As faithful readers know, the original West Side Story (1961) is my all time favourite so it was hard not to be skeptical / worried about the remake. Naturally then, the new rendition is taking me a bit of time to process but, in short, though some of the raves are hyperbolic, the movie is mostly a thrill. Of its many pleasures, the one that we most emphatically co-sign was uttered by Rita Moreno herself who said...
Whether or not you've seen the movie, you probably know that Rita has taken over the "Doc" character from the original, with the character reconceived as the widow of the shop owner, a Puerto Rican who married a white man when she was young, and thus occupies neutral territory in the turf battle between the Jets and the Sharks, with both groups accepting her. This new ripple, fully attributed to Mark Harris (screenwriter Tony Kushner's husband) is a brilliant stroke. It pays dividends thematically and even bigger rewards in the cultural space that belongs to Rita Moreno alone, as the bridge between the original and the remake; she's essential to both films and remains a national treasure. The film gifts her with a plaintiff version of the classic love song "Somewhere" which takes on fresh meaning in her now elderly beloved voice. You could argue that she's best in show again.
To celebrate her 90th birthday, enjoy a gallery of this lovely actress, starting with images from the original film, rehearsals, release, the Oscars, and anniversaries.
and as Valentina in the new film...
Other Projects
ONE DAY AT A TIME (2017-2020)
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952)
GARDEN OF EVIL (1954)
THE RITZ (1976)
CARNAL KNOWLEDGE (1971)
ELECTRIC COMPANY (1971-1977)
LATIN LOVERS (1953)
CRY OF BATTLE (1963)
THE KING AND I (1956)
OZ (1997-2003)
NINE TO FIVE (1982 -sitcom spinoff)
CATTLE TOWN (1952)
PHOTO-SHOOTS
We hope you're having a Rita-riffic weekend. And here's to Rita Moreno outliving every other Oscar winner!