Unraveling the Magic of Wicked's Film Adaptation

The Cast Dilemma

In "Wicked: Part I," the casting choice is a prime example of the challenges faced. Cynthia Erivo, a Tony and Grammy winner for "The Color Purple," takes on the role of Elphaba. Her ability to sing like an angel and convey a wide range of emotions through just her face and body is truly remarkable. On the other hand, Ariana Grande-Butera, a pop diva, plays Galinda. Her agile soprano voice suits the character well, but her enunciation and declamation in acting through singing sometimes fall short. However, together, they create a believable chemistry as frenemies and romantic rivals.

The opening flashback takes us back to Elphaba's birth and early childhood, setting the stage in the Wicked expanded universe. The film unfolds on a larger canvas than the stage play, with two hours and 40 minutes of story. While it could lose a few redundant dialogue scenes, the musical numbers are essential to the show's drama. The scene-setting flashback introduces us to the Thropps and Elphaba's difficult upbringing within the family.

The College Intrigue

At Shiz University, Elphaba and Galinda enter into a mostly unspoken rivalry. Elphaba is offered private tutoring in magic by Madame Morrible, provoking jealousy from Galinda. Meanwhile, Nessarose is romanced by Boq. But there is also a political crisis at Oz, with animals losing their rights. The school's history teacher becomes a victim, leading Elphaba to seek help from the Wizard.

This animal-rights story arc sometimes feels like an imposition on the central female-friendship plot. However, it raises the movie's stakes and shows the filmmakers' intention to expand the story. The dialogue scenes hold the story together between the songs, and it's through the singing that the real storytelling happens.

The Visual and Auditory Pleasure

"Wicked" serves up many moments of visual and auditory pleasure. The staging of the big numbers is almost always perfect, with witty choreography by Christopher Scott performed against spectacular and intricately detailed sets by Nathan Crowley. One dance number in the school's library is particularly ingenious, with circular revolving bookshelves.

Despite the long run time, the movie takes its mandate seriously to keep the audience entertained and dazzled. It seems like a natural choice for family holiday viewing, especially for those who love "The Wizard of Oz." If there was justice in the world, this would be a blockbuster hit.