by Josh Sewell
One of Broadway’s most beloved musicals finally hits the big screen this weekend (well, half of it) and theater geeks like me have been eagerly anticipating it like superhero fans salivate over the next Avengers installment. Wicked, a prequel/alternate take on The Wizard of Oz, has been playing nonstop in several major cities around the globe since it debuted in 2003 and has flirted with various cinematic adaptations for at least a decade.
The filmmaker who finally cracked the code is Jon M. Chu, whose entire career demonstrates his talent for emotional storytelling and visually dazzling set pieces. Acclaimed for his work on Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights (another terrific musical adaptation that unfortunately flopped because of the pandemic), Chu understands that – while the songs are outstanding – what makes Wicked work most is the powerful, complex relationship between the central protagonists.
Those characters are Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), a young woman who faces bullying and discrimination because of her green skin, and Galinda (Ariana Grande), a popular social climber who has only known a life of wealth and privilege. The two meet on their first day at Shiz University, the land of Oz’s prestigious institution of higher learning, and immediately hate each other.
Elphaba and Galinda eventually see past their surface differences to become good friends, but that relationship is tested following a surprising encounter with Shiz’s headmistress (Michelle Yeoh) and the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum). The decisions they make in the aftermath will lead them to fulfill their destinies as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
The duo’s narrative journeys, both together and individually, are profound and emotional, so casting was always going to make or break Wicked. I assumed Erivo was going to kill it as Elphaba, and she does. I’ve been a fan for a long time and knew she had the acting and vocal talent to pull off the character. This is easily the best film work of the two-time Oscar nominee’s relatively brief career (so far).
However, I’ll admit I was concerned when Chu picked Grande to play the bubbly half of the iconic pair. My fear was that he went with the pop superstar for name recognition and to boost the box office, since his last musical underperformed. I’m overjoyed to admit I was wrong.
Grande isn’t simply good – she’s incredible. Not only does she nail Glinda’s notoriously difficult songs (all those high notes!), she’s also hilarious. As anyone who’s seen her work on SNL can attest, she’s got astonishing comedy chops. A nomination for Best Supporting Actress is inevitable and a win isn’t out of the question.
Chu, along with cinematographer Alice Brooks and production designer Nathan Crowley, excels at transporting the narrative’s action from its limited space on stage to a fully realized cinematic world. Wicked is gorgeous to look at for many reasons, especially Paul Tazewell’s costume design.
Nevertheless, a lot of viewers who don’t do their homework are going to be upset with the story’s not-so-subtle messaging. The musical and its source material (Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, which is much darker and not kid-friendly) contain overtly political themes, so it makes sense that Chu’s version would also revolve around the dangers of bigotry and fascism. But those aspects, which are foundational to the text, hit even harder – and more explicitly – in our modern era.
I’m still not sure Wicked should’ve been split into two parts, especially considering the first installment runs as long as the entire stage production. However, the extra time gives Chu more opportunities to flesh out the characters and let scenes breathe instead of feeling so rushed. Plus, it’s undeniable that ending with “Defying Gravity” sends the audience out on an exhilarating emotional high.
I just wonder what that means for Wicked: Part Two, considering the second act doesn’t have as many memorable songs and the plot is even more rushed and disjointed. Regardless, Chu’s work here has earned my trust. We’ll find out if he sticks the landing when the finale hits theaters next November.
Wicked is rated PG for some scary action, thematic material and brief suggestive material. Opens in theaters on November 22.
Grade: B+
The filmmaker who finally cracked the code is Jon M. Chu, whose entire career demonstrates his talent for emotional storytelling and visually dazzling set pieces. Acclaimed for his work on Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights (another terrific musical adaptation that unfortunately flopped because of the pandemic), Chu understands that – while the songs are outstanding – what makes Wicked work most is the powerful, complex relationship between the central protagonists.
Those characters are Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), a young woman who faces bullying and discrimination because of her green skin, and Galinda (Ariana Grande), a popular social climber who has only known a life of wealth and privilege. The two meet on their first day at Shiz University, the land of Oz’s prestigious institution of higher learning, and immediately hate each other.
Elphaba and Galinda eventually see past their surface differences to become good friends, but that relationship is tested following a surprising encounter with Shiz’s headmistress (Michelle Yeoh) and the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum). The decisions they make in the aftermath will lead them to fulfill their destinies as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
The duo’s narrative journeys, both together and individually, are profound and emotional, so casting was always going to make or break Wicked. I assumed Erivo was going to kill it as Elphaba, and she does. I’ve been a fan for a long time and knew she had the acting and vocal talent to pull off the character. This is easily the best film work of the two-time Oscar nominee’s relatively brief career (so far).
However, I’ll admit I was concerned when Chu picked Grande to play the bubbly half of the iconic pair. My fear was that he went with the pop superstar for name recognition and to boost the box office, since his last musical underperformed. I’m overjoyed to admit I was wrong.
Grande isn’t simply good – she’s incredible. Not only does she nail Glinda’s notoriously difficult songs (all those high notes!), she’s also hilarious. As anyone who’s seen her work on SNL can attest, she’s got astonishing comedy chops. A nomination for Best Supporting Actress is inevitable and a win isn’t out of the question.
Chu, along with cinematographer Alice Brooks and production designer Nathan Crowley, excels at transporting the narrative’s action from its limited space on stage to a fully realized cinematic world. Wicked is gorgeous to look at for many reasons, especially Paul Tazewell’s costume design.
Nevertheless, a lot of viewers who don’t do their homework are going to be upset with the story’s not-so-subtle messaging. The musical and its source material (Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, which is much darker and not kid-friendly) contain overtly political themes, so it makes sense that Chu’s version would also revolve around the dangers of bigotry and fascism. But those aspects, which are foundational to the text, hit even harder – and more explicitly – in our modern era.
I’m still not sure Wicked should’ve been split into two parts, especially considering the first installment runs as long as the entire stage production. However, the extra time gives Chu more opportunities to flesh out the characters and let scenes breathe instead of feeling so rushed. Plus, it’s undeniable that ending with “Defying Gravity” sends the audience out on an exhilarating emotional high.
I just wonder what that means for Wicked: Part Two, considering the second act doesn’t have as many memorable songs and the plot is even more rushed and disjointed. Regardless, Chu’s work here has earned my trust. We’ll find out if he sticks the landing when the finale hits theaters next November.
Wicked is rated PG for some scary action, thematic material and brief suggestive material. Opens in theaters on November 22.
Grade: B+
Reach out to Josh Sewell at joshsewell81@gmail.com
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