Things In West Side Story Only Adults Notice

The final acts of "Romeo and Juliet" and "West Side Story" have always been dicey, given the implications of Romeo and Juliet's suicides in the source material and Tony's intentional death in "West Side Story." Of course, Tony's death needs to happen — it's an adaptation of a classic, after all. Since the debut of "Romeo and Juliet" in the late 1500's, many have viewed the tragedy as an ultimate expression of undying love — and for nearly as many years, others have seen it as problematic.

In a 2021 "West Side Story," do we really need Maria brandishing a gun around in the air, scream-asking if there are enough bullets to kill her, too? Couldn't Maria have, instead, lamented that even if she were dead, she would have wanted Tony to live — and that she knows he'd want that for her, too? This latest film could have perhaps included a line or two of dialogue (possibly from Valentina) that the best way to love Tony would be to remember him and celebrate his memory by living the life he will not.

It's not a matter or propaganda, it's not a matter of political correctness, to question the 16th century-born notion that ending one's own life is the best way to show you can't live without someone. When you consider how many people will see "West Side Story," and the high likelihood that some may be on a precipice of their own, such things seem worthy of consideration. 

In the end of 2021's "West Side Story," Maria doesn't shoot herself, as she threatens. Still, more could have been done to de-sensationalize, de-romanticize, and perhaps de-glorify Tony's death based on the words and actions of other characters, and how they respond to his actions. 

One of the multitude of ways society has changed between 1961's "West Side Story" film and 2021's remake is that there is a substantially-increased sensitivity around suicide and how it impacts those in the orbit of the deceased. Perhaps this should have been among the modern ways of thinking Spielberg embraced while plotting out his remake, which could have resulted in a "West Side Story" that better addressed the end of Tony. 

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline​ at​ 1-800-273-TALK (8255)​.