Wicked – Film Review
Wicked, as the global musical phenomenon, has made its grand entrance on to the big screen enchanting fans and musical lovers with its exuberant but poignant charm. For the uninitiated, Wicked provides that back story to the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz folklore but poses those incisive questions as to whether someone could truly be born evil or whether evil is a social construct.
Jon M. Chu of Crazy, Rich Asians’ fame has directed a frothy interpretation of The Emerald City with candy floss colours and hazy images. The overall impression is of a town relieved to have rid itself of an ‘evil’ witch. However, this witch’s death also creates curiosity as townsfolk wish to know more but there are blunt distinctions drawn immediately between the world of good and that of evil.
Here, such worlds are depicted by the big, bubblegum world of Glinda the Good compared to the green and black world of Elphaba, later known as the Wicked Witch of the West. Based on the novel Wicked by Gregory Maguire, this film version expands on the depth of themes covered with nuance compared to the musical. This detail does mean that the film, and this is part one only which follows the journey of Act 1 of the musical, can feel padded in moments and overlong.
Yet, there is no denying just how enjoyable this depiction is of Glinda and Elphaba’s early interactions during their lives as students, and friends, at Shiz University. Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Galinda (later Glinda) are the ideal counterparts with dynamic chemistry. Both are Emmy award winning singers and their tremendously impressive vocal ranges are showcased magnificently, as they should be, with both powerhouse leads singing their hearts out live. During a press conference, Erivo and Grande mentioned that they would have felt that they cheated their sisters, from the various renditions of the Broadway show, had they not been singing fully live. Grande even became a soprano (a coloratura) to play Glinda which highlights the level of dedication and commitment to this film as a homage. Additionally, there are the little glimpses of the yellow brick road and the symbolic red shoes as nice Easter eggs for the fans.
Both Grande and Erivo sing for their supper although Grande exudes that over confident, over the top persona well as Glinda flounces, pounces and flicks her hair. At times, she may seem like that insufferable, egotistical frenemy whereas Erivo’s performance is sincere and heartfelt to bring those tears to audiences’ eyes. The pain felt by Elphaba is etched on Erivo’s face as she draws on her own encounters and the film emphasises that sense of rejection and abandonment, which is uncomfortable to watch in several scenes. Not least with the prejudice levelled towards her, due to the colour of her skin, as Elphaba is green. This may be felt acutely by Erivo, which audiences can relate to, as she is a Black British woman. That sense of ‘othering’ is significantly brought to the fore, in this version of Wicked, not least as Chu himself has an Asian background. Plus, there is that notion of persecution embedded as the animals within the kingdom lose their freedom of speech and ability to have a voice, literally.
Whilst the special effects for these animals and the magic on display may not be state of the art, the emotion and magical energy penetrating the film are unparalleled. There are on screen musical numbers resembling the chorus set pieces from Matilda and Wonka, which feel uniquely British, but are spectacularly choreographed routines. Glinda and Elphaba’s hate at first sight manifests itself during the song, ‘What is this Feeling’ with energetic, charismatic delivery. Grande equally proves that she has good comic timing and can mesmerise with some jazz inspired dance routines. Her costumes may also evoke that spirit of Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, with her preppy pink suit combinations. Grande plays the preppy, popular spoilt school girl, complete with mean sidekicks, with great humour and aplomb. Her magnetism is one of the surprises in the film, which will endear. But, many of the other characters, including her love interest, feel sidelined, which appears to be an unusual directorial decision for a film of this length, especially given the range of diverse actors.
However, Erivo’s Elphaba conveys the essence of Wicked with her raw performance remaining at the film’s core and effectively steals the show. The evident prejudice and labelling endured by her character revealed the harmful impact of negative connotations. Plus, the film emphasises a sense of pre-determined fates and the manner in which society can construct the roles and ruin the life chances for individuals, such as the beautifully tragic Elphaba, of which there is that innate fear.
Wicked is a giddying ride along that yellow brick road to visit the Kingdom of Oz, through the eyes of the vilified Elphaba. It succeeds in providing that empathy and emotional resonance for a misunderstood character who was ostracized purely for being different. As intoxicating as this filmed musical may be, there will always be the underlying question whether this story needed to be told in two parts; we are yet to be convinced. In the meantime, we can continue to defy gravity and immerse ourselves in this captivating version of Elphaba’s story powerfully portrayed by Erivo. We don’t know about you, but we can’t wait to replay this Wicked film soundtrack to re-live this euphoric but emotional experience.
