10 Film Sidekicks More Interesting Than The Main Character

2. Anita - West Side Story

Rita-Moreno-Anita If Anita and Bernardo were the stars of West Side Story, I would watch that movie every day of my life. They're fiery, passionate, and best of all, they each have a great sense of humor. Their relationship is complicated, to be sure, but you can feel the love they have for each other in every scene of the film. They're both the type to make rash decisions, but overall they're good people who try to act as morally as they can. By contrast, Maria and Tony are supernaturally dull. Their relationship has no spark -- it's just a pair of foolish teenagers who suddenly decide that they're in love. Anita in particular is a much more interesting character. She has a strong sense of loyalty, and she's willing to stick by Maria even after her lover has been killed. Anita even goes so far as to deliver a message to Tony, the man who killed her boyfriend -- or at least she would have, if it weren't for the attempted rape that quite understandably made her a little less sympathetic to the plight of the Jets.
Contributor
Contributor

Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.