Wicked | Review by: Amanda Guarragi
The theatre community has always felt like home. No matter where you’ve come from or how alienated you feel for being different, there has always been a place in the theatre community. As someone who has been part of the theatre community and found solace with a stage family for each production, there will always be one inspirational musical.
For me, it was Wicked.
From the stunning production design to the beautiful costumes to the depth of these wonderful characters, the first show tunes I learned was the Broadway cast recording with Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. Wicked has a special place in everyone’s heart because it could have been the first production they saw, or they loved The Wizard of Oz and wanted to see more. The musical is beloved because of its touching lyrics and the loving female friendship between Glinda and Elphaba.
Jon M. Chu announced in 2021 that he would direct the film adaptation of Wicked. The casting followed shortly after, with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo playing the titular roles. Even though it is a Part One, Wicked defies expectations and perfectly encapsulates the magic of the stage production.
At its core, Wicked is about self-acceptance and embracing each other’s differences. The film opens with “No One Mourns The Wicked,” which celebrates the Wicked Witch of the West’s death. Glinda (Grande) floats down in a bubble and pops her circle of safety with her wand. Within the first moments of meeting Glinda, Grande portrays the emotional weight of her past friendship with Elphaba and how this is a devastating end to her story. Grande delivers a nuanced performance in this opening number as she emotes layers of her pain while addressing the people of Oz.
Glinda retells Elphaba’s story to the people of Oz so they can understand that Elphaba isn’t always wicked.
“Are people born wicked, or is wickedness thrust upon them?”
When we meet young Elphaba (Karis Musongole), she looks after her sister Nessarose (Cesily Collette Taylor) and is often bullied for her appearance. She is the only one with green skin in Oz, and she internalizes so much of her pain. Her resentment and anger are channelled into her powers amidst the confusion of being unable to control her emotions.
As an adult, Elphaba focuses on her sister and fails to live her life. When she arrives at Shiz University, her wicked powers are seen as miraculous by Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), and she takes her under her wing as a private student. All it took was one person to believe in Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) to give her strength and believe in herself again. That she could have a life regardless of what she looked like.
When Erivo sings her first ballad, “The Wizard and I,” she makes the character her own with her inflections and interpretation of the lyrics. This number is beautiful because Elphaba connects with audiences by wanting to feel accepted and finally achieve her goals.
Jon M. Chu showcased Erivo’s voice by having Elphaba explore Shiz and look forward to meeting the Wizard in Emerald City. The number is well-choreographed, and the production design throughout Shiz University feels like a magical section of Oz filled with vibrant colours. Chu transports audiences to Oz, which feels like a time capsule because of the homage paid to The Wizard of Oz.
Chu and the rest of the crew poured their hearts into Wicked. It is an incredible feat to re-design Oz with spectacular set pieces and create layers of Ozian history while simultaneously creating a standalone feature is an accomplishment. Throughout the film, pink and green are used to show the contrast between Glinda and Elphaba, but once they become friends, the colours are unified through lighting, costuming and set pieces.
When Elphaba and Glinda are forced to share a room, Jon M. Chu’s flare for theatrics and innovative ideas for musical numbers comes full force in “What Is This Feeling?” The second the song begins, the film steps into another gear and doesn’t waiver. The distinction between Glinda’s carefree, often misinformed, and uppity nature in contrast to Elphaba’s practical, down-to-earth, compassionate character made for an interesting dynamic.
The musical numbers breathe life into the film at each turn, introducing new characters like the swoon-worthy Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey). Bailey will steal the hearts of audiences in the first second of “Dancing Through Life” with his natural charm and easygoing demeanour. Bailey has chemistry with every single person he encounters during the number. Fiyero is more than a love interest for Glinda, as his mind changes when Elphaba raises concern about how the animals are treated in Oz.
The one moment Chu directs to perfection is an exchange between Elphaba and Glinda at the Ozdust ballroom. It is an intimate, emotional moment that shows Erivo’s vulnerability as Elphaba and Grande’s compassion as Glinda. Chu chose to let the scene breathe through silence, which was the most effective choice to ground his characters and build the foundation of their friendship.
Grande and Erivo worked together extremely well and had wonderful chemistry. Glinda and Elphaba have a profound journey together, exploring the complexities of female friendships and the fierce love that can grow. People blessed with strong female friendships have experienced a sisterhood like no other. There’s reassurance, positivity and safety to be your unapologetic self.
Glinda and Elphaba take something special from each other. Glinda is more whimsical and lighthearted, while Elphaba takes things seriously and is more socially involved with global issues. They trade a small piece of each other to make them whole. There is plenty of magic on their way to the Emerald City, and Jon M. Chu grounds this emotional story between two best friends with the commonality of wanting to be loved and accepted for one’s true self.
Wicked feels like a timeless classic that musical theatre lovers and The Wizard of Oz lovers can enjoy together. The musical numbers are a joy to watch and carry emotional gravitas that deeply connects the audience to the characters.
Grande and Erivo are spectacular and were the perfect choices to portray Glinda and Elphaba. Jon M. Chu does well to set up the second part of the film by the end of part one and chooses to end it on a high note (quite literally).
While watching the musical come to life on the big screen, there’s an overwhelming sense of joy. It truly is one of the best musical adaptations we’ve had since Chicago and Mamma Mia. It’s a film about unity, love and friendship, which is something uplifting everyone needs right now.
5/5
Review by: Amanda Guarragi
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