At the beginning of the film, the rhythm is lively, the dance steps are relaxed, even if there is a small confrontation, I feel very happy, the colors, the music, the jumps, everything is so beautiful, even if the background is such a bleak slum. Then, the dance began. Two gangs from different countries and different races are fighting and dancing fiercely. Their dance moves are agitated, just like their racial prejudices are fighting. The passionate music suddenly became soft, and the love at first sight happened. They stared at each other, and could no longer see everything outside of them. Whether it's their rendezvous at Maria's house and the tailor's shop, or their respective happy and sweet thoughts in private, it makes people feel that love is too beautiful! And they will have a happy ending, don't you think Maria's sister-in-law was moved by her?
However, tragedy still inevitably occurred. Is it really inevitable? I couldn't believe it by the end of the movie. Because I clearly remember that at the beginning of the film, a group of "jet" teenagers bypassed the girl who was drawing on the ground, and was careful not to step on the big annual ring-like painting she drew. They are kind, and I thought this film would end all prejudice with such kindness. But in retrospect, prejudice is ubiquitous, and it does not depend on the will of one or two people. This is a social problem. The "Jets" teenagers vividly imitate the attitudes of society towards their ghetto people, laughing loudly as they imitate, and they all understand but aren't ready or (knowing impossible?) to change those people's prejudices. Bernardo and his partner and their other half also argued, the happy girls with beautiful visions counted the benefits of immigrating to the United States, while the men headed by Bernardo counted the prejudice against them by Americans. Although they were arguing, their dancing was so intense, their smiles were so bright, that naive I forgot that it was the love and hate of all immigrants.
Because of the music and dance, because of their smiles, I always thought this story was not so irreversible, but the ending of the story is so sad...
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