West Side Story's Oscar journeys (then & now)
Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 6:00PM by Nathaniel R
3 of West Side Story's Oscar wins: SUPPORTING ACTOR (Chakiris), DIRECTOR (Robbins & Wise), SUPPORTING ACTRESS (Moreno)
The original West Side Story, which premiered on October 18th, 1961, and which we've discussed in great detail here, was a true four-quadrant blockbuster. It was not only the top-grossing film of its year but an all out Oscar smash. By the spring of 1962 West Side Story was so popular that it did a near complete sweep at the 34th annual Academy Awards ceremony, losing in only one of its categories: Best Adapted Screenplay (which went to the Holocaust courtroom drama Judgment at Nuremberg). But that wasn't all in terms of West Side Story mania. The very next month it competed for "Album of the Year" at the 4th Annual Grammys Awards (it had to settle for winning Best Soundtrack Album since "Judy at Carnegie Hall" took the top prize) and stayed at #1 on the Billboard album charts for almost an entire year (no joke).
How well will the new West Side Story fare? That's a difficult question because a lot of things have changed since West Side Story's initial movie run 60 years ago, including the popularity of musicals within mainstream culture, the number of Oscar categories, the nature of both Oscar campaigns and moviegoing, and even one role within the famous musical...
There were more Oscar categories in the 1960s than there are now (due to visual categories being doubled up to separate black & white from color movies), but in total the 1961 musical was eligible in 13 categories. Given that the film had two major male supporting roles (Riff & Bernardo), it could theoretically have secured 14 nominations at the 1961 Oscars. The Academy ignored three of its possible nominees: Lead Actor (Richard Beymer), Lead Actress (previously nominated Natalie Wood), and Supporting Actor (previously nominated Russ Tamblyn) but otherwise nominated the film everywhere it could have been honored for a total of 11 nominations.
The 2021 film is also eligible in 13 categories, albeit slightly different ones.
| CATEGORY | 1961 FILM | 2021 FILM |
| . |  |
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| Picture | WINNER | TBA |
| Director | WINNER | TBA |
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| Actress | Nominated for Best Actress but for a different movie - Natalie Wood | TBA - Rachel Zegler |
 |
 |
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| Actor | Not Nominated - Richard Beymer | TBA - Ansel Elgort |
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 |
|
| Supp Actress | WINNER - Rita Moreno | TBA - Ariana DeBose |
 |
||
| Supp Actress x 2 | n/a - There was no other large supporting female role | TBA - Rita Moreno |
 |
 |
|
| Supp Actor | WINNER -George Chakiris | TBA - David Alvarez |
 |
 |
|
| Supp Actor x 2 | Not Nominated - Russ Tamblyn | TBA - Mike Faist |
| Adapted Screenplay | NOMINEE | TBA |
| Cinematography | WINNER | TBA |
| Production Design | WINNER | TBA |
| Costumes | WINNER | TBA |
| Film Editing | WINNER | TBA |
| Sound | WINNER | TBA |
| Musical Score | WINNER | n/a -category does not exist |
| Makeup and Hair | n/a - category did not exist | TBA |
The category of "Best Scoring of a Musical" which West Side Story won doesn't exist anymore but "Makeup and Hair" which was not a category in the 1960s is a place the new film could be honored.
Finally, given the gender-flipped and bulked up role of 'Doc' --- now Doc's widow, Valentina (Rita Moreno) -- the new West Side Story could theoretically max out at 15 nominations (13 categories plus an extra supporting actress and an extra supporting actor). The new West Side Story won't manage this of course -- no film ever has* -- but it theoretically could.
What do you think is the 2021 West Side Story's Best and Worst case scenario this season in terms of nominations? I personally think we're landing at 8-11 nominations... I'm currently guessing 10 (everywhere it's eligible exceptMakeup and Hair and all acting categories except Supporting Actress) but if it does tie or exceed the original in terms of nominations, it's quite doubtful that it could get anywhere close to the same amount of wins for more multiple reasons... not least of which that AMPAS is no longer as fond of "sweeps" as they once were.
* The record for most nominations for a single film is 14, a record shared by All About Eve (1950), Titanic (1997), and La La Land (2016).
Reader Comments (23)
I truly don't get the love for this remake. It's the same movie, just flashier. So many missed opportunities. And I get that we all love Rita (yes, she's flawless in the original), but she's not good in the movie and her version of Somewhere sucks. Sorry.
I think Mike Faist is the best in the cast. A shame no one is talking about him. Ariana is a close second. Both are wonderful.
In many respects, Spielberg's WSS is better than the '61 version, but that doesn't really matter since the first version is such a cherished and iconic Hollywood production. Comparing them "objectively" won't really be possible for awhile—unless you have no attachment whatsover to to the '61 version, in which case I'd love to talk to you.
That said, best case scenario for the new version is 13 nominations (including two in each supporting category); worst case is four (including Best Picture).
I saw it last night and loved it, especially Kushner's adaptation and the production design of 1957 Lincoln Square. Brilliant idea.
Is Tony always the weakest link in the cast? I saw this once on stage, and I'm inclined to think it's true.
@ Cash
I have never seen a Tony that wasn't meh. As written, this version had a chance to be stellar, but Elgort wasn't. He wasn't really bad either, but as you say "the weakest link." And the love-at-first-sight chemistry with Zegler was only fleetingly there, so that didn't help.
Honestly, get Ansel Elgort and his abusive ass out of this movie and any award consideration. Besides, he is genuinely bad in the movie.
Anyone who said that this year's version is better than the original is legitimately tasteless LMAO
cash -- like working stiff, i have never seen a version of West Side Story where Tony wasn't the weakest link. It's just facts. that said I think people are not being objective about Elgort's performance and have let their distaste for him personally color their perception of his work. He's totally solid as Tony (albeit not the greatest role) and sings it beautifully.
Tony is certainly the weakest role, but I think Elgort is mostly fine in the movie (even though I don't like him much generally).
But @Nathaniel, do you really think he stands a chance in Best Actor? I have a hard time imagining a world where West Side has enough widespread support for him to crack the nomination lineup but DeBose (or Moreno, or both) don't make it into the Supporting Actress field. Or am I misreading your last paragraph?
@sad man, I totally agree. Faist was best in show for me. What a star!
I really hope Kushner is able to get the awards recognition he was denied for Lincoln this time around. It's a brilliant piece of adaptation.
Hard Pass on Elgort - ok he can sing but he was stiff and couldn’t convey any duality. I’d be shocked if he is nominated. Faist was a standout. I think 8 nominations most
For me, Zegler would be a deserving Best Actress nominee and Faist and DuBose were the other standouts. Should any or all get nods that would be cool! Elgort was blah, as I knew he would be (have never understood his supposed appeal and don't get why he keeps getting leading roles). He had no chemistry with Zegler so their love story didn't come off for me. Moreno, much as I love her, felt more like gimmick casting so I hope she is not nominated.
I think Rita Moreno’s chances of a nomination are like those of Ruby Dee in “American Gangster”.
And I have to say in support of Richard Beymer that he is our favourite 1961 character. We always weep buckets for Tony because we love him.
Why? Because he’s the only pacifist character, who believes in love and the possibility of living peacefully together. This is a quality that Jamie Dornan plays beautifully in this year’s “Belfast” and you can see that it only adds to the attractiveness of the character. But Jamie is surrounded by other naturalistic actors, supporting his characterization.
Richard Beymer gives a sincere naturalistic generous performance that has stayed fresh. But the fabulous 1961 dancers, led by the legendary and demanding Jerome Robbins, scorned him as a non-dancer, and habitual thinking that way has persisted.
I think it takes a very brave actor to play Tony. You have to be the immovable rock of naturalism and sincerity in the fast moving stream of gorgeous stylized dancers. You are alone.
And for American actors, playing a Great Love has been out of fashion for decades. It doesn’t add to your reputation, give you more money, lead to better roles. Since it is rarely seen, there are few models for contemporary actors to use. And the challenge of being both Big and Naturalistic is a tough one. Throwing yourself whole heartedly into sincerity is risky.
Ansel Elgort always comes across as so self absorbed, it is hard to believe he would love someone more than himself.
Jonathan: I liked Elgort's performance quite a bit but there is no way he is cracking the Best Actor lineup.
I was bitter all year about the impending new version coming as I think the original is perfection, but I was won over within seconds and loved every single moment of Spielberg's film. I couldn't help it. A gigantic smile just took over my face (under my mask) for everything leading up to the rumble, and then my sense of dread and pain for what the characters were going through moved me way more than I would think possible for a story I've seen so many times. I cried for a solid hour after it ended. I'm a huge musical fan and am quite often disappointed with screen adaptations, but every musical number was sung, danced, and filmed exquisitely. I'll be going back to see it at least two more times this week.
As for Tony, I had read so many reviews tearing down Elgort's performance that I came in with low expectations. It's obvious from the start that his energy is very different from everyone else's, less intensity than Riff or Bernardo for sure, but Tony is different from his peers, and by the time he started singing, I was transported to Old Hollywood. I don't find Elgort particularly attractive, but the way his Tony would get quiet and vulnerable when flirting with Maria was so damn seductive that I fell for him. I don't think he was perfect, but he sold the role to me and gave his scenes a timeless quality. And his voice is fantastic. A musical is nothing without the songs, and he delivered them honestly and beautifully.
I will see whatever movies Faist, Zegler, DeBose, and Alvarez make next based on their attachment alone, all incredible young actors who I hope we see much more of.
I liked the new WSS.. but I like the 1961 version better. For its time... it was extraordinary and now we have so many over the top movies, we have become jaded.
I also loved Natalie Wood in the role. I know that she did not sing and she was not Latina. So?
SPOILER: I think Moreno was on a truly vanity trip and as Exec. Producer she chose to sing "Somewhere". and it looked like it really did not belong at that point in the movie. Thus, I felt the entire ending lacked the pathos and unity and power that the 1961 version had in spades.
@rdf
parade.com@McGill
I've been thinking about the Ruby Dee factor myself.
Ryan Gosling gives good Great Love.
rdf -- i worship the 1961 version as you know but i disagree on "Somewhere"... i thought that was a fascinating choice. I agree that the ending does not pack as much of a wallop but i dont think it's for that particular reason. I think it just feels more rushed and the staging around Tony's death feels less effective.
We agree to disagree!!!
The adjustments they made to "Cool," "Somewhere" and Anita's visit to the drugstore were so smart and strong.
@Working stiff
You are being very dogmatic on these... but I, for one, do not agree.
"Dogmatic"? Okay...
I think it'll get a ton of technical noms, Picture, Director, Supporting Actress (not sure if I think it'll be Ariana AND Rita, but I'm hoping the former hears her name called either way), Adapted Screenplay, and maybe Supporting Actor for Mike Faist. David Alvarez was good, but he doesn't make the strongest impression. And Best Actress just feels too competitive this year for Zegler to break through, even if I thought she was great ("A Boy Like That/I Have A Love" is the best scene in this remake and she sings/acts it brilliantly).
FWIW I thought Elgort was mostly fine. His singing wasn't as good as others in the cast, but he wasn't distractingly bad and his acting was decent with the exception of his reaction to Anita's lie about Maria being dead. The movie itself feels embarrassed by it in the way it cuts away from/around it.
McGill -- that's a great point about romantic leading roles for men.
working stiff -... and your right that Ryan Gosling is great at this (despite it being an undersung skill these days)
Doug -- your experience was much like mine. I was so skeptical but it won me over (took me a bit longer though since I was having trouble divorcing my thoughts from the 1961 version for the first 20 minutes or so. but once i did, thoroughly impressed.
Jonathan -- i do not think Elgort has a chance, no. The chart is only about the eligibility because i was going for a full comparison.
@Fadhil;
Ooh, such a terrible and ignorant comment. You should like a tabloid reader who opened up a Twitter account.
All the performances are good. Tony is just a very straightforward character. The best way to play him is probably to hire Robert De Niro and have him go in that deep. Elgort is good, honestly, but he has his plight and his love for Maria. But it's all straight-forward. The character is more a piece in the story.
Some pundits and critics say Ariana DeBose (alternatively, Ellis for a literally nothing performance) will have to be awarded. Some cheap comments on movie forums say she deserves it compared to the luminous Dunst who plays one of the most complex roles an actress can play. Not to mention the talent such upstart as DeBose will probably never achieve. Now, is the Academy Awards jury going to pander to critics who award based on "social justice" and politics or are they going to award the most underrated actress out there who gives a achingly amazing performance? After being snubbed by the Oscars for "The beguiled" and "Melancholia" (let alone being snubbed by the GG for "Fargo"), this is her time. To be honest, seeing what the general mindset is I don't harbor much hope.