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The Long and Winding Yellow Brick Road to Wicked

2024-11-19

The yellow brick road is a journey that stretches far and wide. At its end lie high expectations that seem to defy the very laws of nature. Honk-honk.Some of us have been traversing this golden path throughout our lives, taking our first steps down it when we first laid eyes on Dorothy Gale's house starting to tilt. We've stayed the course through the trials and tribulations, and now we've reached this full-circle moment: the long-awaited film adaptation of the Wicked musical is finally hitting theaters after two decades of anticipation and one of the most exhausting press tours in recent memory.

Unleashing the Magic of Wicked on the Big Screen

Understanding the Responsibility of Expectations

The triumph of Wicked (Part One) lies in its keen awareness of the weight of those high expectations. It must soar far beyond the Western sky to satisfy the scrutinizing fan groups and audiences who hold their Oz memories dear. It needs to do this with a cheeky sense of humor that is an integral part of the source material. The potential for this film adaptation to be profound was as present as its potential to be a revolutionary cinematic experience, but it would only succeed if the movie could truly "bring her down."Wicked is a maximalist masterpiece by every definition. It's a whimsical visual feast with top-to-bottom Movie Star performances that explode off the screen. Under the delicate guidance of maestro Jon M. Chu, it's also grounded in a way that stirs you on a profound level, enriching the musical fans' love in thrilling new ways.

The Origin Story of Elphaba and Glinda

Based on Gregory Maguire's novel, the Wicked musical, which debuted on Broadway in 2003 and has since spread worldwide, tells the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West and her relationship with Glinda the Good Witch. "So much happened before Dorothy dropped in" was the brilliant tagline of the original production.Before she was "wicked," the green witch in the black pointy hat was Elphaba, a shy young woman ostracized due to her atypical greenness. After her magical gifts caught the eye of Madame Morrible at Shiz University, Elphaba enrolled and became roommates with Galinda, a beautiful narcissist with an easy life compared to Elphaba's hardships. (There's a whole backstory for why the character we know as "Glinda" starts as "Galinda," and any musical theater enthusiast will be happy to spend 13-17 minutes explaining it.)They initially clashed - their roommate assignment was like a torture sentence with a duet that constantly repeated the word "loathing!" But eventually, they unlocked parts of each other, helping them discover their fullest selves beyond the limits society had imposed on them and forging a deep, unlikely friendship.As Elphaba rose from a bullied wallflower to the school's magical prodigy with Galinda's help, she became radicalized. Disturbed by what seemed like a government conspiracy to silence Oz's talking animals, she planned to warn the Wizard and seek his help. Only to discover that he and the other authority figures were complicit and intended to use her for their own purposes.

The Indelible Songs of Wicked

Interspersed throughout this plot are some of modern musical theater's most unforgettable songs, written by Stephen Schwartz. Galinda's "Popular" is a comedy tour de force. Elphaba's "The Wizard and I" is a gauntlet challenge for aspiring belters. And "Defying Gravity" is the Act One-closing battle cry and the thrilling finale of this movie. (There will be two Wicked films, one for each act of the musical.)For 21 years since the Wicked curtain first rose on Broadway, fans have speculated about the cast of a film version. Especially since the original stars Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel left an indelible mark on Glinda and Elphie. So, when Ariana Grande took on the role of Glinda and Cynthia Erivo donned the witch's hat, along with co-stars Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and Michelle Yeoh, there were bound to be strong opinions. Now that the film is out, those opinions are overwhelmingly positive. This cast is fantastic, with each performer bringing new life to these characters in invigorating ways.

Ariana Grande as Glinda

When Grande's Galinda first appears on screen in a bubble, there's a giddy excitement. Her first line, "It's good to see me, isn't it?" sets the tone. And yet, there's something natural and right about her casting. She channels Chenoweth's endearing ditziness and infuses it with a screwball heroine's grit. She flirts and flounces through a show-stopping rendition of "Popular" and is even more impressive in finding a radiant vulnerability as her friendship with Elphaba changes her moral compass.

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba

Erivo's Elphaba is a departure from the Menzel blueprint. While retaining some of the spunky sarcasm fans know, she is more soulful and introspective. Her resentment isn't manifested in snarky irascibility but in a quiet introspectiveness with the help of a camera lens. Her rendition of "I'm Not That Girl" becomes a set piece that rivals the film's bigger numbers, and her tender delivery touches our hidden emotions. She does her most stunning work in the emotional scenes.

Jonathan Bailey as Prince Fiyero

Bailey's Prince Fiyero is a sight to behold. From his boot-toe book choreography to his ovation-worthy gymnastics, he hoofs his way through every step of "Dancing Through Life." He nearly steals the show during that musical number, making the cinema experience all the more exciting.

The Power of Friendship in Wicked

Wicked has a running time of two hours and 40 minutes, which is the same as the entire stage musical, even though it only covers Act One. But this time taken to build the foundation for Elphaba and Galinda's friendship makes the story all the more powerful. The sleepover scene that leads into "Popular" allows the women to tentatively explore this new bond, each unfamiliar with how to act but navigating the awkwardness gracefully until morning, when they become BFFs.

Jon M. Chu's Direction

It's a feat for a film with a dozen musical numbers, centered around witches and magic, to resonate at its core because of its depiction of friendship. Much of this is due to Chu's direction. Wicked is a massive production that manages to be intimate. During musical numbers, you're impressed by the ensemble, choreography, and set design, but you're also drawn into the characters' souls by the camera's ability to find the performer at the right moment.Certain scenes are filled with all the twinkling, colorful, fantastical elements you'd expect from a cinematic Oz in 2024, yet the film is impressively tactical. You can see that these are real sets when Grande leaps from a bed and dangles from a spinning chandelier during "Popular." Erivo's "Defying Gravity" sequence is a sight to behold as she zooms around on a broom. And Bailey's performance is equally remarkable. There will be deserved awards attention for Grande and Erivo, and Bailey should be part of the conversation.I don't expect every moviegoer to love this movie as much as I do. I'm eager to discuss the performances with others. And yes, the movie is too long. But despite that, it's undeniable that after all the anticipation, the film is truly excellent.In recent years, some of the most inventive cinematic movies have been musicals. Wicked fits right in, propelling moviemaking forward with its thrill and grace.This Wicked movie feels both big and personal. The marketing campaign was massive, and Broadway is getting the commercial dignity of a Marvel project. But it's also about the personal stories of the cast. Jonathan Bailey talks about how making the movie made him think about his younger self. Grande has spoken about her lifetime dream coming true. Erivo has shared how she's wearing Elphaba's green in solidarity.There's something wild and beautiful about this film and its place in culture. It's where that yellow brick road has been leading us all along.