One of the most exciting films of the year, Wicked, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande (credited as Ariana Grande-Butera in the movie), makes the case for how a well-executed movie musical can be so magical. Directed by Jon M. Chu, featuring Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode and Jeff Goldblum, even the most reluctant fans of the book and/or Broadway musical should find something to smile about.
Being released in theatres Nov. 22, Chu’s film takes its 165-minute runtime to work through Act One of the stage show, and uses every minute to his advantage. But the thing that makes Wicked feel special really rests on the chemistry between Erivo and Grande in a thrilling, electrifying and heartfelt iteration of this beloved story.
What is ‘Wicked’ about?
We begin with Glinda (Grande) addressing the citizens of Oz saying that the wicked witch is dead, but then someone gets her attention, asking Glinda to clarify information that they were friends. Glinda confirms they knew each other at school.
Then the story takes us back to Glinda’s time as a student at Shiz University and the first day of the new school year. Glinda hopes to get the attention of Madame Morrible (Yeoh), to get personal training from the powerful headmistress.
As we learn at the beginning of the story Elphaba (Erivo) was an outcast from the moment she was born. Her father rejected her due to her green skin, and her mother died after giving birth to her younger sister Nessarose (Bode), who is paraplegic, because their mother had been eating milk flowers in the hopes that it would prevent her second child from having green skin.
When Elphaba, Nessarose and their father arrive at Shiz, their father insists that Elphaba stay at the school as well, not as a student, but to look out for her sister.
Elphaba’s green skin turns heads and is the subject of rude comments from students, primarily Glinda, but when Elphaba unexpectedly shows her powers in front of the whole school, Madame Morrible entices her to stay as a student, and offers to teach her how to harness her power.
But enrolling late means one thing, an unexpected room assignment, with Elphaba and Glinda becoming roommates.
The pair initially hate each other. Glinda is also jealous that Elphaba got the attention of Madame Morrible. But as they get to know each other, Glinda’s cruelty towards Elphaba shifts to understanding, and friendship.
When word of Elphaba’s powers gets all the way to the Wizard, ruler of Oz, and she receives an invitation to meet him, a sinister plan in revealed putting Elphaba and Glinda in a moral dilemma, which also threatens their friendship.
Why ‘Wicked’ works
What a film like Dear Evan Hansen taught us is that just because a story works on stage doesn’t mean it will be a successful movie. Luckily, Wicked maintains its charm, and the messaging of the story related to feeling like an outcast and out of place, and embracing your own individuality and power, actually hits harder in the film.
Most importantly, if you haven’t fallen in love with Erivo and Grande yet, you will by the end of the movie.
Starting with Erivo, with the performance of each song you can sense that she’s feeling each word deep down in her soul. Every moment with her oozes emotion and impact. It feels like a transformation where the actor is fully embodying this character in every way.
For all the depth and honesty we get from Erivo, Grande’s conceited and sassy attitude as Glinda is spot on. What makes this a particularly successful portrayal of Glinda is that when the character has to get more vulnerable, you really feel the dissolving of that pink and perky facade, while never losing her spunky energy.
When Erivo and Grande share the screen together, you believe in this friendship. You feel like these are two people who really opened their hearts up to each other in the most sincere and beautiful way.
Back to things working on stage differently than they do on screen, the film does magnify some of the idiosyncrasies in the story of Wicked. But they exist in the book and stage play too, you just can’t get too hung up on the logistics of what happens in Wicked, in any form.
But Chu is able to really sustain this exciting energy, so much so that you feel like you’re the one who’s been lifted off the ground and spun around in a twister.
The practical sets used for the film was a great choice by the filmmaker, it adds a textured element reminiscent of old popcorn blockbusters from the 1980s, adding a real fantastical element to the movie.
If you’re not a Wicked or Broadway fan already, I’m not sure this movie alone will convert you into a die-hard devotee, like many people already are, but that certainly doesn’t mean the film won’t have mass appeal.
For the existing fans, all we really want is for this story to be handled with grace and care, and that feels like the case. There is also a moment with where Erivo and Grande interact with Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda. A perfect little wink to existing fans.
In another effective choice, the film doesn’t rely on its musical numbers to excite. Yes, the Stephen Schwartz songs are catchy and the performances are superb, particularly Bailey’s “Dancing Through Life,” but the actual storytelling doesn’t feel neglected.
For a longer film, the movie doesn’t feel like it lags, and the final moments of the movie are incredibly thrilling and beautiful, it will take your breath away.
Most importantly, it makes you excited to see the second part of the story in November 2025.