• About AwardsDaily
  • Sasha Stone
  • Advertising on Awards Daily
Awards Daily
  • 2026 Oscar Predictions
  • 2025/2026 Awards Calendar
  • EmmyWatch
  • Buzzmeter
  • NextGen Oscarwatcher
No Result
View All Result
  • 2026 Oscar Predictions
  • 2025/2026 Awards Calendar
  • EmmyWatch
  • Buzzmeter
  • NextGen Oscarwatcher
No Result
View All Result
Awards Daily
No Result
View All Result

Mike Faist on Riff’s Nihilism and Self-Preservation in ‘West Side Story’

Joey Moser by Joey Moser
January 26, 2022
in Interviews, SUPPORTING ACTOR
0

(Photo: 20th Century Studios)

A lot of us get swept up by the love story of West Side Story, but Steven Spielberg’s version leans into the anger. Because of Tony Kushner’s masterful screenplay, the characters are fleshed out more, and the stakes are raised for everyone, including the desperation for Jets leader, Riff. Mike Faist’s performance came from the page, and he delivers one of the best performances of the year. The character has everything on the line, and when you think you are dead already, you have nothing to lose.

Even though Riff and Sharks leader, Bernardo, are fighting for different things, there are things that these men can learn from one another. Going into the rumble, he is desperate to have Tony join in the fray not just because he considers him a brother, but he is hoping to tap into Tony’s former fury. Tony has moved on from that anger, but Riff wades through it. He can’t escape it.

The Tony nominee is charming and very self-effacing, because he believes in the material. He taps into the mentality of someone who is just trying to find something to hold onto. It’s riveting to watch.

Tags: Mike FaistSteven SpielbergSUPPORTING ACTORWest Side Story
Previous Post

DGA Preview and Predictions – The Fifth Slot Killer

Next Post

DGA Announces Documentary Nominees

Next Post

DGA Announces Documentary Nominees

Best Picture, Best Actress Watch: After the Hunt Drops a Trailer
BEST PICTURE

Best Picture, Best Actress Watch: After the Hunt Drops a Trailer

by Sasha Stone
July 17, 2025
3

Luca Guadagnino's After the Hunt just dropped a trailer on YouTube. I've already read the script so I basically know...

Toronto Film Festival Announces Lineup – The Roofman World Premiere, Hamnet, The Lost Bus and More

Toronto Film Festival Announces Lineup – The Roofman World Premiere, Hamnet, The Lost Bus and More

July 16, 2025
2025 Emmy Nominations Announced

2025 Emmy Nominations Announced

July 15, 2025
Nextgen Oscarwatcher: Temperature Check on Best Actor and Best Actress

Nextgen Oscarwatcher: Temperature Check on Best Actor and Best Actress

July 15, 2025
Why Superman Can’t Be “Just a Movie”

Why Superman Can’t Be “Just a Movie”

July 14, 2025
2026 Oscar Predictions: Always Be Closing

2026 Oscar Predictions: Always Be Closing

July 12, 2025
The Buzzmeter: How to Tell Good Stories and Why Hollywood Can’t Anymore

The Buzzmeter: How to Tell Good Stories and Why Hollywood Can’t Anymore

July 11, 2025
Nextgen Oscarwatcher: Temperature check on Best Picture and Best Director Pre-Festivals

Nextgen Oscarwatcher: Temperature check on Best Picture and Best Director Pre-Festivals

July 7, 2025
Doc Feature Watch: Mariska Hargitay’s My Mom Jayne a Frontrunner

Doc Feature Watch: Mariska Hargitay’s My Mom Jayne a Frontrunner

July 6, 2025
2026 Oscar Predictions – The Case for F1: The Movie

2026 Oscar Predictions – The Case for F1: The Movie

July 5, 2025

Oscar News

The Buzzmeter: Can Brad Pitt’s and F1 Invite the Public Back to the Oscars?

The Buzzmeter: Can Brad Pitt’s and F1 Invite the Public Back to the Oscars?

June 16, 2025

2026 Oscars: Neon Nails it Again with Sentimental Value at Cannes

2026 Oscars: New Rules Set for 9th Academy Awards

2026 Oscar Predictions: How the Oscar Game Destroys Movies

Best Picture Watch: Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another Teaser

EmmyWatch

The Gotham TV Winners Set the Consensus to Come

The Gotham TV Winners Set the Consensus to Come

June 3, 2025

Gothams Announces Television Nominees

White Lotus Finale – A Deeply Profound Message for a Weary World

EmmyWatch: Apple-TV’s The Studio Could Have Been Great, But They Played it Safe

  • About AwardsDaily
  • Sasha Stone
  • Advertising on Awards Daily

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

No Result
View All Result
  • About AwardsDaily
  • Sasha Stone
  • Advertising on Awards Daily

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.