The West Side Waltz

I don't know why this gets such low reading. It has a wonderful cast, a great script, and I didn't see anything wrong with the filming. The only thing missing is an R rating. It is heartwarming and reflects reality. Probably why it doesn't sell. People don't like to be reminded of their mortality.

I'm not really sure how to categorize this movie. It's a friendship movie, it's supposed to be a comedy, it's supposed to be a drama, it's mostly about older people, and it's one of those "older person and younger person help each other" movies. And, pretty much every twenty minutes, the screen fades to black, making you think it's the end, but the movie keeps going. Each section seems to take a new direction, so it's not really a comedy or a drama or a romance or a tearjerker.

If a movie with a handicapped Shirley MacLaine, a socially awkward Liza Minnelli, a homeless Kathy Bates, and a heavily made-up Jennifer Grey, all helping each other with friendship appeals to you, give it a whirl. It's only 90 minutes, and even though it's a little dated, it won't hurt you.

This is another of those well kept secrets that the movie world hide from us. Heaven only knows why. I found it almost by accident and started watching in trepidation, after all, the star rating it had been given was quite low. At first I didn't recognise Liza Minnelli, but when I did (albeit only a few seconds) I was amazed and impressed. As a previous writer has said, we forget she is an Oscar-deserving actor sometimes because we see her type cast so often. Shirley Maclaine seems to have become type cast now as a grumpy old girl, which is a shame because she does crazy so well too! Kathy Bates' cameo was lovely and the younger woman carried her role well too (sorry, bad with names). In all a well done, subtle and enjoyable film. I shall no doubt seek it out again.

Originally a Broadway play with Katharine Hepburn and Dorothy Loudon, "West Side Waltz" is one of those projects that should have remained on the stage. However, Liza Minnelli is wonderfully cast against type as a reserved, albeit needy, 50ish type longing for companionship. She is the only reason to see this movie, as MacLaine is a bore and Jennifer Grey is simply annoying.

This wonderful and well-written story is highlighted by fine acting and excellent use of the setting, New York City's West Side.

Liza's performance was absolutely brilliant and one is immediately reminded that she is, after all, an academy award winning actress of immense talent. Kathy Bates is also utterly convincing as a homeless woman. Shirley McLaine was an excellent choice for her role. I imagine it must have been difficult to portray a woman whose physical disability gradually worsens during the course of the movie.

When I noticed this movie while flipping through channels, I hadn't planned on doing more than scanning the first few minutes. It pulled me in and I invested 2 hours watching it. Time well spent!