Wicked Part One: Review
By Sioph W. Leal
Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz: Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) , a young woman misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power and becomes known as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart and who, later in life, becomes Glinda the Good Witch, helping Dorothy on her way to The Wizard. Both meet at Shiz University long before they were known as Wicked or Good, and there a friendship blossomed.
Many have tried to faithfully adapt stage musicals to the big screen and while some have truly been an enjoyable watch, nothing quite compares to director Jon M. Chu’s Wicked. While Wicked has come under scrutiny for its run time, rest assured it is almost perfect. Yes, there are no big additions from Chu and there is a little bit of a lull in the middle of the movie, but the extended run time allows for slight additions within the already beloved songs as well as characters that feel further developed. Somehow, Chu has done the impossible. He’s made a musical stage adaptation work for the big screen without losing any of the magic that made Wicked so adored.
Being split into two, fans of the stage musical will be happy to hear that the movie-version ends exactly where the first act of the stage show culminates. Even though this move originally raised some eyebrows from theatre fans, the movie makes it clear this was the right move all along. Nothing is lost but you feel a deep intimate love in the making of this and, if anything, is emphasised by Chu splitting the movie in two so that nothing is lost in the translation to the screen. No big changes are made to increase this run time but instead you sit with it and fall in a deeper love of the characters, the world and the music that leaves you desperate for the second act.
Wicked is Elphaba’s story and Erivo delivers on so many fronts. Fans of hers already know she has a phenomenal voice, which doesn’t disappoint during Defying Gravity, but Erivo shows a more vulnerable side to the future Wicked Witch of the West that fans will adore. While many other actresses have brought a vulnerability to Elphaba on the stage, Erivo brings something unique that can only be shown on a big screen. With her emotional performances, both sung and unsung, the audience will be rooting for Elphaba even if you are unfamiliar with the stage show. Despite this, it feels as though there is less of a connection with Elphaba and can often make it feel as if we are watching an incredible singing performance but with not as much emotional pull as other characters. It is still there and Ervio delivers on all fronts but her magnificent voice can sometimes overshadow the character especially when teamed up with Ariana Grande’s Glinda who weaves it all together in a most natural way.
Grande is well known for her pop-star fame, but Wicked elevates her to a whole other level. She has acting experiences but nothing will prepare you for her complex portrayal of Glinda The Good. Many have already spoken about her comedic timing in Wicked, but it’s her performances in songs such as ‘No One Mourns the Wicked’ that will leave you in tears before you are taken back to her time at Shiz University. She delivers on all fronts, completely embodying Glinda in all her faults and virtues with a stellar voice that combines in one of the best performances of the year. Together Grande and Erivo capture the friendship and love between these two future witches that will make them easy contenders for any award season.
There is simply no bad performance in Wicked. From Nessarose (Marissa Bode) to the talking goat Doctor Dillamond (voiced by Peter Dinklage) the entire cast are a treat to watch. Dinklage and Bode bring a new life to the characters, particularly Bode who captures the sweet Nessa experiencing her life in Shiz with a delicate voice that makes itself known in the impressive cast. The most energetic and enjoyable performance is Fiyero’s (Jonathan Bailey) Dancing Through Life that will leave people in awe, from the wonderful choreography to the transitions to the famous Oz Dust Ballroom, that has been an eager watch for many. Bailey captures everything you love about the Winkie Prince - charming, energetic with layers that you see the more he is on screen. He’s fun and manages to stand out in such an impressive movie that cements his status as a multi-talented star.
Wicked has been years in the making, and aside from some lighting choices, it’s an almost perfect adaptation. Yes, the run time is long, but you will find yourself booking tickets to see this movie multiple times. Erivo and Grande are a harmonious match and with a cast and crew that have put everything in, they have pulled off the impossible; they have made a near-perfect musical adaptation.
“Wicked Part One” hits theatres November 22nd 2024.