I had read and loved Gregory Maguire’s adaptation of Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz years ago. He wrote four books: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, Son of a Witch, A Lion Among Men, and Out of OZ. I never got to the fifth book, The Brides of Maracoor, but I did see the musical theatrical production of Wicked at the Locust Street Theatre in Philadelphia. Would the movie do the books and the theatre production justice?
Wicked: Part1
Before I go into my review, I wanted to explain the circumstances of my recent hunger for going to the movie theater. I have been avoiding depression and anxiety over the recent political assassination of our democracy by watching films at the AMC theatre near to my house. I have become a frequent visitor, but this time, I went for my granddaughter. There was a personal reason for me and my daughter going on November 23rd with my granddaughter. My granddaughter had suffered a miscarriage, and the baby (my great grandchild) would have been due on this particular day. My granddaughter was searching for some joy to replace the grief she was dealing with. I think Wicked: Part 1 was just what she needed the most.
Wicked: Part 1 is a musical fantasy adaptation of both the stage musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman and the book by Gregory Maguire. Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande-Butera, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey and Jeff Goldblum, the story begins after the death of the Wicked Witch of the West aka Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo). Up to that moment, the storyline follows what we all remember seeing from the original Wizard of Oz film.
Everything changes after Glinda the Good Witch (Ariana Grande-Butera) is asked by one of the Munchkins if she and Elphaba were ever friends. We get to learn about Elphaba’s and Glinda’s friendship at the distinguished Shiz School, which took place before the arrival of Dorothy from Kansas.
Elphaba Thropp’s parents were wealthy, but after their first child was born with green skin, the father accidentally had his wife take an herbal remedy to prevent the second child from having green skin. This only caused Elphaba’s little sister Nessa (Marissa Bode) to be born paraplegic. Elphaba is treated miserably by her father, and later by the students at Shiz. While Nessa is welcomed warmly by all the students, Elphaba has to share a room with the rich and spoiled, Glinda. While everyone wants to excel at magic in order meet the famous Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), only Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) suspects the hidden powers of Elphaba and immediately takes her under her wing. Not everything is peachy fine in the land of Oz, as Dr. Dillamond ( voice of Peter Dinklage) tries to warn his students. Sentient animals are no longer allowed to speak.
Conclusion
I have always felt that Gregory Maguire’s take on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was a better and more realistic story of the relationship between Glinda the Good, Elphaba, the Witch of the West, and the Wizard. When I first saw the stage version, I was in love with Wicked, but the film version is a definite improvement because we are given more time to watch the friendship between Glinda and Elphaba blossom. You can only achieve this awakening by telling the story in two, or hopefully three parts. This is what made the Twilight franchise such a big success.
Ariana Grande-Butera not only plays her character as a combination of Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon of Legally Blond) and Cher (Alicia Silverstone in Clueless), but she has perfected these two quirky personalities. Watching Ariana play off Cynthia Erivo’s no nonsense, Spock personality is what makes the entire film a joy to watch. Wicked: Part 1 is a love story about friends from two different cultures and beliefs. Glinda believes the fairytale of the Wizard, while Elphaba knows the horrible truth of what the Wizard is up to…the silence of sentient beings.
Let’s not forget about the music, with my favorite song being “Defying Gravity.” Many of the musical numbers were performed live during filming which gave the viewers a more natural performance…reminiscing the great musicals of the 1950s and ’60s.
I am hoping that the film helped bring some joy to my granddaughter. I would classify her as Team Glinda, while this worried Granny is more like Team Elphaba. I’m old enough to know that wizards are quite dangerous for people who look or think differently.
Go watch Wicked: Part 1 on the big screen. It is packed with Easter Eggs, so pay attention. I promise you that it will make you forget your sorrows and hopefully, we will all defy the gravity of a troubled world.
