Film Review: Wicked: Part One

Wicked: Part One
Director: Jon M. Chu
Marc Platt Productions
In Theaters 11.22

The appeal of a journey into a fantasy world has always undeniable to me, and the land of Oz and I go way back, from the yearly TV broadcast that was still an event when I child in the late 70s/early 80s to L. Frank Baum’s books being the first series of novels that I ever read. I’m always intrigued by new variations on the story, and the Broadway phenomenon Wicked is perhaps the most intriguing spin on the classic tale that has even been spun. 

In the Land of Oz, citizens are celebrating the demise of the despised Wicked Witch of the West, and the beloved Glinda the Good (child star-turned-pop sensation Ariana Grande-Butera) is sent to herald the news. The film then flashes back to introduce Elphaba Thropp (Karis Musongole, Born on Sunday Silent) a girl from Munchkinland born with striking green skin and shunned by her father, Flexbar Thropp (Andy Nyman, Jungle Cruise). When Elphaba is sent to watch over her sickly sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode, Carsleepers, You’re Adorable) who is studying magic at Shiz University, Elphaba’s extraordinary gifts in sorcery reveal themselves to the headmistress, Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All At Once), and through a misunderstanding, the bubbly and privileged Galinda Upland accidentally volunteers to let Elphaba room with her. Despite an initial feeling unadulterated loathing being the popular Galinda and the outcast Elphaba, an unlikely friendship blossoms between them, though they remain opposites: Galinda craves status and fame, while Elphaba is driven by a passion for justice. Their bond is tested after a life-changing meeting with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz reveals his sinister motives. As Galinda embraces power and conformity, Elphaba rebels, choosing to fight for what’s right. Their choices shape their destinies, transforming them into the iconic Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good, forever altering Oz’s history.

Wicked is a lavish and lovely old-fashioned Hollywood musical event movie that is so intent on pleasing adoring fans, not cutting any of the beloved songs and making the highest possible returns at the box office that it’s been split into two parts. While this padded out approach isn’t entirely necessary and results in a literal year-long intermission between acts, the grand scale, extravagant sets and above all, the absorbing story, are hard to resist. The clever script by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, adapted from Holzman’s book for the stage musical, seamlessly moves from joyous and hilarious one moment to heartbreakingly dark the next, and the only downside for those looking for an escape into fantasy is that there’s a lot of timely resonance here. Themes of othering, corruption and using scapegoating (with a literal goat, no less) to control through fear are so timely that the only people who won’t notice are those who are already living in a fantasy world of their own. While Wicked is quite heavy at times, the balance between light and darkness is well struck, and the catchy songs by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin) are energetic and melodious. Director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In The Heights) is committed to keeping the Broadway feel while opening it up for the big screen, and he’s taking the all-too-rare approach of sticking to a cast that can sing it with confidence and gusto. Chu also knows how to shoot a dance number, and Wicked is a perfect vehicle to show off his skill within the musical genre while exploring his long held desire to make an epic fantasy.

The cast is excellent, with Erivo leading the way with a heartfelt and unforgettable performance. A singer and actress with a voice like no other and an incredible depth, Erivo made me believe this role was written for her alone. There’s also an undeniable additional subtext that comes with casting a Black woman as Elphaba, as every line spoken about skin color becomes much more upsetting, the pain and self doubt that Elphaba carries even more riveting and the joy when she finds her inner strength is even more joyous. Grande-Butera triumphs over the doubters with an effortlessly perfect performance that you have to actively work not to enjoy. Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park) is marvelous as the Wizard of Oz, and Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton) is a memorable scene stealer as Fiyero Tigelaar, a Winkie prince whom Galinda is pursuing, and Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) as the voice of Doctor Dillamond, a history professor who happens to be a goat, is simply sublime.

Wicked: Part One is quite long at 160 minutes, but it’s never boring, and I found it to be one of the most satisfying and enthralling moviegoing events of the year. It’s a gripping tale lovingly told, and one that is likely to be eagerly embraced by mass audiences. One can only hope that it gets people thinking in addition to humming and tapping their toes. –Patrick Gibbs

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