By Raveena Rahman, Dec.10, 2024
The long-awaited book turned Broadway musical turned movie “Wicked” premiered Nov. 22, bringing a phenomenal soundtrack from the vocally talented cast with songs that explore the complexities of human emotions and imagery of well-done world building with bright, colorful graphics, built-in sets, dramatic costumes and the screenwriters’ ability to capture the essence of a magical land that immerses viewers into the fantasy world.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film was loosely adapted from the novel by Gregory Maguire, “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” which was based on Lyman Frank Baum’s novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” The film is the first of two parts, and a prequel to “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” that take place before and after Dorothy’s arrival in Oz.
I was initially skeptical about Ariana Grande playing the role of Glinda, the good witch, but she does an incredible job due to perseverance. Grande explained in an interview how much she has loved “Wicked” since she was child and stated she always dreamt of playing Glinda’s role. She expressed that she changed her hair, makeup and voice before she was even cast for the role. I personally loved her because she brought a modern feel to the film, and while we all know she can sing, I was shocked by her acting skills.
Chu explained he was unsure of Grande playing the role, but she proved herself time and time again by being “the most interesting person in the room,” and by embodying Glinda’s personality during auditions. Her voice, along with her vocal range, fit perfectly with the role. He explained how Grande auditioned three times before he was convinced she could take on the responsibility.
“She proved herself over and over and over again, to a place where she was living as Glinda. When she showed up on set, she was Glinda,” Chu said.
Grande brings comical, tear-wrenching moments to the screen. She blends her own personality with Glinda’s character by bringing in a playful charm that gives the movie a modern feel. Grande’s background in theater prepared her for this role. She landed her first role as Annie at 14 in the musical Annie. After watching the film, it is undeniable she is a skilled actress.
Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, perfectly fills her role as a misunderstood character who is powerful and strong on the outside but vulnerable on the inside. She beautifully brought raw emotions and modulated vocals to the screens.
For example, in the “Ozdust” scene Elphaba shows up to her school’s ballroom dance and her classmates feel uneasy at the sight of her. Elphaba starts dancing, showcasing the pain she is enduring by being outcasted by her peers. Glinda joins her, marking the beginning of a friendship, and portraying their acceptance of each other despite their differences. Erivo cries in the scene as she is defying conventionality and surrendering to being alone makes the scene powerful and realistic.
Erivo pulls viewers in with her captivating dialogue and emotion filled singing, especially because of her authenticity on screen. She expressed how she had to embody Elphaba by taking on her emotions as her own. For instance, she stated that the tears in the “Ozdust” scene are real, and certain elements of the scene are unchoreographed as she added her personal touch according to what she felt in the moment.
Her character is relatable to many young women. She tries to convince herself that she does not care what others think of her, but finds herself wanting to be more like Glinda, who people deem as perfect.
The film begins with Glinda taking a trip down memory lane where she tells the story of her complicated relationship with Elphaba. Glinda and Elphaba arrive at Shiz University at the same time. Against both of their wills, they become roommates.
Both characters are opposite from each other. Glinda is considered beautiful and popular. Her character is superficial and materialistic. She is often seen focused on the clothing she wears and the social connections she makes on campus. Elphaba on the other hand, has depth and does not try to fit in and does not fixate on her appearance.
My one complaint about the movie is that the first half felt incredibly lengthy. I remember thinking ‘nothing is happening’ an hour into watching the movie. However, I admit that all the elements, such as the singing, world-building and a deep dive into the character’s backgrounds, were important to the storyline.
Personally, I am impatient and not a fan of musicals, but the end justified the means. When the movie was finished, I completely overlooked the lengthiness that initially bothered me because overall, the movie was fantastic.
The scene designs were beautiful. Emerald city, the capital of Oz, is brightly lit, with the intensity of the sun trees, grass and water glow, making the place feel enchanting. The place looks rich and luxurious. The tall gleaming emerald towers, and intricate details such as reflective surfaces create a dreamlike atmosphere. However, beneath its magical facade, the city holds dark secrets that are revealed throughout the film.
The dances are also well choreographed. The “What Is This Feeling?” dance sequence has gone viral for good reason. The choreography is filled with sharp movements and energetic jumps and runs. This utilizes objects such as books, desks, clothing, forks and sticks as part of the story telling. For instance, this scene takes place in the beginning of the film and portrays Elphaba and Glinda’s rivalry as they are seen fighting with the sticks. Elphaba also piles all of Glinda’s belongings such as clothes and shoes, on one side of the room because Glinda had taken up the majority of the space in their shared room. Their on-screen chemistry, despite them disliking each other, is apparent in this scene.
What makes the movie a hit besides the highly praised soundtrack and the bright and colorful fantasy world, is the close relationship Grande and Erivo built throughout filming. Their chemistry on screen is obvious to viewers throughout the film. Their voices while singing glide together perfectly. The complexity of their relationship as frenemies is made believable due to their close bond and understanding of one another.
Songs such as “Popular,” a tune about how it feels to be liked by your peers, and “Defying Gravity,” an empowering song about following your own path in life, resonates with theater kids and “Wizard of Oz” fans and essentially added to the success of the film. “Popular” is a fun song, with a catchy tune and represents the dynamics of being popular, which is an important theme in “Wicked.” “Defying Gravity” made me emotional because the song marks Elphaba embracing who she is and realizing her power, which are also crucial themes in “Wicked.”
Surprisingly, Grande and Erivo sang all their songs live, even in the midst of difficult scenes, such as Erivo flying, showcasing just how talented the two performers are.
“We chose to sing live because it meant that we would be further connected to the words we were saying, and to each other,” said Erivo. “There’s something special about what happens when music is live in a room. … It feels really powerful.”
Besides the film being a Broadway hit; I believe another factor that adds to the film’s popularity among the public is Grande herself. Sure, the film would have been successful regardless, but Grande’s loyal fan base and her level of fame attracted tons of viewers, including myself.
From the music to the acting to the scenic design, the film was magical. Audience members laughed together and cried together, while being transported into the “Wicked” universe. The film has rightfully been named the best film of 2024 by the National Board of Review.
Feature images courtesy of IMDB
