No, 2021's West Side Story Isn't Any Better

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN: December 2021

NOTES: Written (primarily) as commentary on ongoing social media discussions about the modern version of the West Side Story film. While this post is focused on specific portrayal notes, I would like to make it known here that BOTH versions of the film are deeply problematic. Never forget that the original film had a majority white cast in brownface, because producers refused to hire actual Puerto Rican actors and actresses for the roles. This is also a major problem in the stage productions, and I would urge you to read this article by Camille Agie for further analysis on representation.

Airing the grievance [I have with the 2021 film] because I have no self preservation-

I personally don’t like that Anybodys character development involved the character being trans* (that being said, absolute respect and congrats to Iris Menas for getting such a big role as a trans* actor)

More thoughts™ below the cut that really are just. Personal thoughts. Don’t read this expecting a thorough analysis or some sort of… call to action re: the new adaptation.

I already have grievances given the casting of a pedophile as the lead character (though the film had allegedly been far into production when the allegations came to light, but that isn’t an excuse to keep platforming these people IMHO. But what do I know I’m not in the industry. I’m just a fool with a blog) so I won’t be financially supporting the new adaptation regardless.

Also if you’re transphobic piss off I hate you :) this post isn’t fuel for your bigotry! I’m a gender non-conforming trans* masculine individual. I’m a man who wears makeup and dresses in varying ways. Die mad.

It feels like Disney (to no surprise given their track record with queer representation) took a gender non-conforming cis character from the original and made them trans* in the name of “Representation” and “Wokeness” (I hate the term but can’t think of a way to word it… brownie points? We’ve had about 30 “First openly gay” characters… so-)

The whole arc with the original iteration of the character (from my perspective of casually analyzing the original film and being someone who’s seen it numerous times) was that women didn’t have to be these pretty, feminine individuals and that they were just as capable as men, re: the jets going from dismissing her and pushing her away to taking her in as she helps them kinda resolve things (as much as you can call a gang war and multiple deaths a resolution, that is. Also re: Anybodys warning the gang of the murder plot)

Like… listen. Anybodys is hella gender. (... I hate that I said this, but I'm keeping it in for posterity's sake.

Their character (going to default to they/them due to the portrayals) is a badass. Energetic. Someone who wants a place at the table and is tired of people thinking they’re lesser because of their gender (or perceived gender).

Can Anybodys be an allegory to the trans* struggle? Hell yeah.

Is it really “Representation” to turn a masculine-presenting cis female character into a trans masculine individual? No, and it’s frankly insulting to trans masculine folks and the original messages in the production (which is absolutely problematic in its casting and in many of its messages, of course. Never forget most of the Latine characters were white people in brownface)

Especially when the original character inspiration is (allegedly) a butch lesbian (Cheryl Crawford, who was briefly attached to produce the musical) because it ultimately erases the concept of gender non-conformity and reinforces a binary that the trans* community is fighting so hard to erase for our sake and for the sake of our cis counterparts.

But it’s also especially insulting when you take the act of acceptance and pair it with a gang rape scene :)

Yeah…

In the 2021 release, the gang allegedly reaffirms Anybodys gender before going on to attempt to rape Anita.

How progressive /sarcastic.