The 2021 Spielberg version of West Side Story takes a lot of structural inspiration from the 1961 film, but the former makes one key change that actually makes Riff a lot worse. Riff is the main antagonist of West Side Story, being the leader of the Jets gang. The gang rivals the Sharks, a Puerto-Rican gang, because of their anti-immigration stance. Riff (played by Mike Faist,) is an aggressive and headstrong villain in all versions of the musical, but one change in Spielberg's version might make him the worst incarnation of all.
The 1961 film made some alterations to the Broadway musical, changing around the song order and who sings them to better fit the film's unique vision and what would work best onscreen rather than onstage. This is the same for the 2021 version; for example, Rita Moreno's character (Valentina, a replacement for Doc) sings the titular ''Somewhere,'' instead of the forlorn lovers, Tony and Maria. Spielberg's West Side Story also differs from the 1961 film regarding who sings one of the Jets' key songs, which distinctly alters one character in particular: Riff.
The 1961 version of West Side Story has Riff singing the main parts of ''Gee, Officer Krupkee,'' whereas the 2021 version omits him from the song entirely. Instead, a handful of the Jets sing the song whilst they're being questioned in jail regarding the location of the rumble, and Riff isn't present. Diesel takes the lead, singing the key parts, and the song leans more into teaching Baby John how the crooked system works in a comedic manner.
Comparing the 1961 and 2021 West Side Story cast, the former version having him involved in the number makes him a more multi-faceted and less evil character. By giving him the lead in the comedy number of the musical, it allows for him to grow beyond the villain archetype, and his character makes strides into being more jokey, fun and intelligent. He's self-aware as to how the system works and can poke fun at it, which makes him more well-rounded, instead of painting him as a strictly cruel character. Therefore, in the process of eliminating him from ''Gee, Officer Krupkee'' entirely in the 2021 version, it voids Mike Faist's Riff of any redeeming qualities or characteristics. This song in West Side Story is Riff's, and the Jets as a whole, chance to show a different side to them. A side that is almost child-like as they act out different scenes and designate one another with different roles. In the number, they act as a group of friends first and a gang second. Riff's absence in the number means that, onscreen, he only joins in with the Jets as long as violence and conflict are involved. The 1961 version which involves Riff in ''Gee, Officer Krupkee'' makes him seem like a kid who went down the wrong path, but the 2021 version omits him of this by excluding him, overall making him more vicious.
Whilst the 2021 version of ''Gee, Officer Krupkee'' (not performed live in West Side Story,) does allow for more of the other Jets to be showcased, it might be at the detriment of Riff as a redeemable character. Mike Faist's Riff truly feels bad at the core, as Tony puts it, ''The whole worlds' been against Riff since he was born." Though both films are great, Spielberg's version of West Side Story feels so different to the 1961 film, and Riff's character is a key part as to why. The 2021 Riff is darker, more introspective and real with him being omitted from any light-hearted scenes, thus his character succeeds more as a villain.
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