‘Wicked’
Like a 3D storybook, Wicked brings new life to the world of the infamous stage musical and allows audiences to explore Oz more than ever before.
In 2003, Broadway saw the premiere of what would become one of the most recognisable musicals in the world. Wicked took audiences and critics by storm and went on to receive countless awards. So, when Universal got their hands on the film rights, the world waited in hot anticipation to see how the beloved musical would translate to the big screen.
In a nutshell, Wicked is about a green-skinned woman – Elphaba (Cynthia Ervio) who is helping her sister on her enrolment day at Shiz University, a school for witches and wizards. She is proven to be more skilled than the others and is chosen by school principal Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) to undertake private classes to refine her skills. Elphaba is then given a room with Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera), a spoilt girl who is not so happy about the decision. Although, once classes begin, strange things start happening to the only animal professor left at Shiz, Dr. Dillamond (Peter Dinklage). Elphaba is determined to find out how to save the animals, and is one step closer when she gets a chance to meet The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
The conceptualisation of Wicked has not been easy. When producers began scouting the best talent they could find to join the cast & crew, they went through countless directors before landing on Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights). Then, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera were granted a dream come true, being cast as Elphaba and Glinda. After COVID lockdowns and strikes causing delay after delay, audiences can finally explore Oz through this spectacular film. Wicked was decidedly split into two parts to resemble Act I and Act II of the musical. This was met with some contention considering Wicked is a staggering 161 minutes long and it’s only the first act but, in the end, it is absolutely justified. It strives to give more time to details that were cut short in the musical, as well as adding more from the 1995 novel in which the original musical adapts. Chu presents a well-rounded picture of Oz and the people who reside there, giving more weight to the emotional crux of the story.
There is a tremendous amount to marvel at in Wicked, often my eyes were darting around the screen trying to take in as much as possible. The film elevates the stage musical by using pure Hollywood magic; from the production design to the beautiful costuming, it is nothing short of spectacular. On top of this, cinematographer Alice Brooks (Tick, Tick, BOOM!, In the Heights) ensures that musical numbers are showcased in a way that sets them apart from a stage production. While there are rotating cameras and whips and pans that add to the overall comedic timing, there’s also profound emotion with close ups and holds that show you much more than you can see from the back of a theatre. As mentioned earlier, there are added scenes that expand on elements from the musical. We get a deeper look into Elphaba’s childhood, as well as how powerful her sorcery is. She is also given more time with Dr. Dillamond to explore why animals are being thrust to the outer edges of society, much like she was. I thoroughly enjoyed these additions as I felt it allowed me to connect to her more once emotional songs such as ‘I’m Not That Girl’ were performed. All this crafting comes together to give the audience unadulterated escapism. With Wicked you can turn your brain off from all outside grievances and immerse yourself into the world of Oz with our girls Elphaba and Glinda.
Elphaba is the intelligent and cynical protagonist of Wicked. She is cast out from society by her own family because she is born green; kids call her weird, and adults fear her. As she grows older though, she learns to become independent and seemingly unbothered by what others think of her. Ervio’s performance of Elphaba couldn’t be better. She is so wickedly brilliant that it’s clear she found parts of herself in her character, whether it be through songs like ‘The Wizard and I’ or ‘Defying Gravity’, she performs them with a strength that can only be shown through someone who has experienced the emotions at the centre of them. She embodies Idina Menzel’s original portrayal while also adding her own spin on the whimsical and mischievous traits she holds before her and Glinda become friends. Once they do, Erivo conveys such beautiful emotion in her performance, complemented exquisitely by her screen partner.
Glinda is often recognised as the antithesis of Elphaba. She is bubbly, self-centred, and positively popular. She wears these traits on her sleeve and is not afraid to hide any facet of her being. When Ariana Grande was chosen for the role of Glinda, there was speculation that she wouldn’t be the right fit having been a pop star for over a decade. Much to my delight, all the doubters were quickly proven wrong within about one minute of the film beginning when Grande sings the almost operatic ‘No One Mourns the Wicked’. From here, Grande’s performance is magnificent and transformative; it is abundantly clear that she was born for this role. She plays the comedic parts perfectly, sending the audience at my premiere into roaring laughter after each exaggerated hair flip or excitable jump. At the same time, she can delve into what makes Glinda a layered character, and her connection with Erivo off screen shines through at the end of the Ozdust Ballroom sequence when they share a dance that elevates the whole meaning of the story. Grande took many notes from Kristen Chenoweth to ensure she embodied Glinda as best as possible & I am happy to report that she not only expresses that Chenoweth charm but also brings her own sparkle to the character that is utterly beautiful to witness.
Whether Wicked will live up to the stage production’s reputation of winning multiple awards is still unclear, and it is by no means a perfect film. There are odd lighting choices at times, and some questionable song production changes, but the spectacle and vibrance of this film outweighs any small lighting issue. Wicked offers an escape from the real world while also being timely in its message. Elphaba & Glinda remind us to be kind to others, and to stand up & stay strong in the face of evil.
Wicked (Part I) is in cinemas worldwide on the 21st of November!
