West Side Story (1961)

Well, what can I say, I am a sucker for musicals (yep, I watch Glee too =D). I absolutely love the idea of people singing and dancing that too is so in tune with the flow of the story.

One of my all time favourite musicals is West Side Story. The movie is based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and explores race relations and immigration within a musical format.

The story takes place in New York City, where second-generation American street gang the Jets are at constant odds with rival Puerto Rican gang the Sharks. But love gets in the way when Jets member
Tony falls for Maria, the sister of Sharks leader Bernardo. People (Tony, of course) die and hearts get broken.

And although it is supposed to be a violent movie (because of gang fights and all), I love it how the violence has been softened by the choreography and their fighting has been replaced with dancing.

Another thing that I love about West Side Story are its songs. Songs like "America" and "I Feel Pretty" are the ones people seldom forget once they hear it. Don't believe me??? Have a listen yourself. :)