West Side Story vs Gnomeo & Juliet
- sarahej8
- May 6, 2017
- 6 min read
After finishing Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, I did a creative extension project based off the book. For my project, I analyzed and compared two drastically different movie adaptations of Romeo and Juliet. By analyzing different takes on the story, the audience is able to see it in a new light and make new conclusions. Also, it gives a new perspective to the reader that allows them to compare the plot, which makes the story versatile and able to relate to all people. For example, while watching the movie scenes taken from Romeo and Juliet, I could compare the differences and see which version of the story did it better and how that tied into the whole plot. Each moment in the movies and book were there for a reason and gave the story different meaning and purpose.
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The story of Romeo and Juliet is timeless and countless adaptations and parodies imitate the compelling characters. Romeo and Juliet has been made countless times over, even by Shakespeare himself. Although, there have been many versions of the story, each have their own take and features to add. This story is compelling in many different forms, each bringing their own unique elements to the table, which is the main reason people keep coming back to this story. A timeless classic that people often associate with a Romeo and Juliet adaptation is West Side Story, a musical and book written by Arthur Laurents. Another, more modern version of Romeo and Juliet is Gnomeo & Juliet, directed by Kelly Asbury.
When it comes to these two adaptations, there are many clear similarities and differences. First, West Side Story is a more serious and true adaptation of Shakespeare's play, while Gnomeo & Juliet is a parody. Although that is true, both plots can be drawn to one another through many different elements. Both West Side Story and Gnomeo & Juliet have an original and entertaining take on shakespeare's story, but Gnomeo & Juliet’s comedic and cute execution makes it the one I prefer most.
The background of both movies are significantly different, which makes the plot unfold differently. West Side Story is set up in a realistic time period of mid 1950’s in New York City. It follows the story of two gangs rivaling against each other. The two rival gangs are from two different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The Sharks (Capulets) are a gang of Puerto Rican Immigrants and the Jets (Montagues) are a gang of New York street hooligans. The plot builds up to a point where both gangs are going to fight for control over the neighborhood. On the other hand, Gnomeo & Juliet is set up between two feuding neighbors with two feuding families of gnomes. The red Gnomes in the red neighbor's lawn are the Capulets and the blue gnomes in the blue neighbor's lawn are the Montagues. The story takes place in a suburban neighborhood in modern time. Each gnome family is competing to have the best garden, which is the premise of the story. Each movie has contrasting backgrounds, which sets up each story to go in different directions.
The main difference between these two movies is the way they portray the story. West Side Story has unique and original elements of music and dance to enhance the story and stimulate the audience. On the other hand, Gnomeo & Juliet had comedic elements that make the story more lighthearted, funny, and ironic. West Side Story was performed as a musical with music and dance intertwined with the story. The musical aspect is an effective method of performing the story that makes the audience captivated and adds charm. Also, the music was made specifically to the story which portrays the emotions and other details of the story in a medium different from stating the information. On the other hand, Gnomeo & Juliet is a parody that uses comedy to portray the story. This method of depicting the story appeals to many people because the intense and tragic story is shown in a lighter light through jokes, puns, and ironic lines and scenes. The different ways the stories are presented enthralls the audience and appeals to many people.
Each movie makes their own alteration of the significant event in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet of them first seeing and meeting each other. West Side Story represents this scene where Tony and Maria meet each other at a party and are struck by love at first sight. The scene continues with a song and dance to show the two lovebirds together. Tony and Maria kiss, but are pulled apart by the rival gangs and are forced to leave each other. In comparison, Gnomeo & Juliet portrays this scene drastically different from both Shakespeare and West Side Story. This adaptation shows Gnomeo and Juliet meeting when sneaking out of their respective gardens. Gnomeo is running away from the Capulets after vandalizing their garden and happens to see a mysterious gnome running around. Juliet is running to a neighboring abandoned garden with a flower that will make their garden the best. Both Gnomeo and Juliet reach for the flower and meet each other in the moonlight, igniting a passionate love.
Although, many believe the balcony scene where Romeo and Juliet declare their love for each other is the most significant scene. West Side Story performs this scene very true to Shakespeare’s version. Tony meets Maria at her balcony after the party where they express their love through song and heartwreching words. They speak quietly so Maria’s family won’t hear them and are pulled away when Maria must leave. Before departure, they agree to meet and see each other soon. In Gnomeo & Juliet, Gnomeo arrives at Juliet's tower after hearing her express her feeling out loud, which were a remix of the lines in Shakespeare's play. They end up talking at the end of the night and express their love for each other. In the end, they both agree to meet at the abandoned garden they met in where they can freely express their love for each other.
The next major scene that is shown in both movies is the wedding scene between Romeo and Juliet. The scene is skipped over in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but is clearly shown in both movies analyzed. In West Side Story, Tony and Maria are imagining their future wedding in the dress shop she works in. They act out their makeshift wedding and imagine a fulfilling future together. In Gnomeo & Juliet the wedding is less obvious, but still well represented. After having a fight, Gnomeo and Juliet reconcile their relationship and Gnomeo gets down on one knee to pop the question to Juliet. They have a small parody of a ceremony with Gnomeo, Juliet, Gnomeo’s pet mushroom, Shroom, and the Parody of Friar Lawrence, a flamingo named Featherstone. These contrasting adaptations of significant scenes from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet convey the story in original and fascinating ways, especially entertaining for people who have read Shakespeare's version.
The last and most important comparison of the two movies is the ending. The tragic ending of Romeo and Juliet is one that sticks with all readers as they walk away from this story. Both movies stray from shakespeare's version, but both end it with a bang. In West Side Story, Tony believes Maria to be dead and roams the streets yelling for Chino (Paris) to kill him. While walking the streets Tony discovers Maria alive and they go to embrace each other when Tony is shot. Maria holds Tony as he dies and after exchanging a few meaningful words, Tony is declared dead. Both the Sharks and Jets congregate around the couple when Maria grabs a gun and threatens to kill each gang because their hate killed Tony. In the end, she could not kill and Tony’s body was taken away by both the Sharks and Jets, ending the feud, with Mariah walking out last. In contrast, Gnomeo & Juliet has a more explosive and surprising ending. Juliet is in danger from a killer lawnmower and Gnomeo attempts to save her. Juliet cannot be saved and instead of leaving, Gnomeo stays with Juliet until the end and they are pronounced dead. The heads of each family feel remorseful over their dead children and end their feud, but Gnomeo and Juliet are discovered alive and both families rejoice. Gnomeo and Juliet get their happy ending and the movie ends with Gnomeo and Juliet riding away on a lawn mower after getting married.
After analyzing both movies, Gnomeo & Juliet is the one that wins me over. Both movies are engaging and have different aspects that make them compelling in their own ways, but Gnomeo & Juliet appeals to me most. Although, West Side Story has the impressive elements of music and dance, which many find entertaining, just doesn't compete with the comedic aspects of Gnomeo & Juliet. The overall reason for me was Gnomeo & Juliet was cute, light-hearted, and funny, I actually laughed out loud multiple times. In the end though, the thing that really sold me was the ending. I’m a romantic and always prefer a happy ending and Gnomeo & Juliet had just that, and left me with a warm hearted feeling at the end. Overall, Gnomeo & Juliet is the movie I prefer because it does a great job emanating Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but with some adjustments to make it comedic, cute, and an overall splendid movie that appeals to many different audiences.
