Wicked

I had no intention of seeing Wicked: Part One because I have never seen the stage version and it's just not the kind of film that would normally be on my radar (a fantasy musical). But when the reviews started pouring in--almost all of them positive, even glowing--and my mom expressed interest in seeing the movie, I went ahead and gave it a watch. And I'm so glad I did! Wicked is a delight and quite relevant to our current moment (despite the source material, the novel, being 30 years old). 

Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked: Part One is a feast for the senses. Paying homage to the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, Wicked is absolutely saturated with gorgeous color and packed with detail, from intricate and unique outfits for every extra to easter eggs referencing the L. Frank Baum novel and the 1939 film. It's a film that rewards multiple viewings, including viewings at home where you can pause and examine individual frames.

Ariana Grande-Butera plays Glinda (formerly "Galinda") Upland, whom we are introduced to as she travels in her little bubble to Munchkinland to inform the residents that, indeed, the Wicked Witch of the West is dead. When a Munchkin inquires if the rumors are true that Glinda was friends with the Witch, Glinda ushers us into the story of how the Wicked Witch came to be...

The product of an affair, Elphaba Thropp was rejected by her father, the mayor of Munchkinland, at birth when she came out the womb with green skin. Despite being tormented by children and unloved by her father, Elphaba still had the capability to love others, namely her wheelchair-bound sister Nessarose. When Nessarose begins school at Shiz, a university in Oz (I looked it up and can't figure out why it's named "Shiz"), Elphaba's father demands that Elphaba (played by Cynthia Ervio) stay and look after her sister (who is the apple of her father's eye), despite Nessarose's desire for independence. 

Though Elphaba balks at this, she accidentally reveals incredible power during a moment of anger and a well-respected professor, Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), convinces Elphaba to enroll at Shiz and take private sorcery lessons with her. Oh, and she forces Galinda and Elphaba to room together. 

For a long time, Elphaba is at best ignored and at worst mocked and humiliated by the students of Shiz, including the incredibly beautiful and popular Galinda. But after a moment of public humiliation caused by Galinda, the so-called Good Witch has a change of heart and decides to become friends with Elphaba and take her under her wing.

The friendship (or frenemyship) between Galinda and Elphaba is THE reason to see this movie. First of all, yes there is a ton of sapphic subtext. Or maybe just text. Wicked is a very gay movie, as is to be expected given that it's 1) a musical and 2) about the Wizard of Oz, a famously gay story. But the relationship between the two women isn't pure. There is condescension on Galinda's side and resentment on Elphaba's side. And yet...there really is love between the women even though they are destined to be turned against one another. I loved how complex their relationship was.

Without going into too much detail, there is a conspiracy afoot in Oz. Whereas previously animals could speak and hold jobs, just like humans, a rising tide of bias and hate against animals leads to the firing of all animal professors at Shiz. Most of the students don't care, but Elphaba, who develops a friendship with Professor Dillamond, a goat (voiced by Peter Dinklage), is horrified and disgusted. She knows what it's like to be scorned and treated like garbage. 

Elphaba's quest to meet the Wizard, once motivated by her desire to be seen and accepted, is now motivated by a desire to help the animals. But the pinnacle of Elphaba's triumph, where she discovers just how powerful she is, is poisoned with disappointment when she realizes just who is behind the bigotry against the animals of Oz. And how pathetic the Wizard really is. This brings us to the song which defines the musical--"Defying Gravity"--and the point at which Elphaba is declared to be a wicked woman. She is too powerful, too dangerous, and those already in power must turn the tide of public opinion against her. And that's where part one ends.

Wicked walks this perfect balance of being both light and dark, current and timeless, frilly and serious. I haven't read the Oz books by L. Frank Baum, but I do love The Wizard of Oz, and there are lots of references and homages woven into the story. I enjoyed the musical numbers, particularly "Dancing Through Life", "Popular", and "Defying Gravity"...and both Ervio and Grande-Butera have incredibly powerful singing voices. Unless you genuinely hate musicals or The Wizard of Oz, I feel like you're going to find something to love about Wicked.

Really glad I stepped outside of my comfort zone to see Wicked on the big screen. It's one of the most thrilling movies of the year and I am psyched to see part two in 2025.

Grade: A-