Wicked

Anyone who reads my reviews knows how I feel about stories that don’t necessarily need to be told. Somehow, over the last twenty-one years, I’ve managed to avoid seeing the Broadway musical Wicked, so I went into this film adaptation with only a vague understanding of the story. From what I’d gathered, it’s the tale of the Wicked Witch of the West, and after learning more, I found myself intrigued and ready to hear her side of things. Lucky for me, I don’t need to travel to New York to experience it, as Wicked has now been brought to the big screen. But the question is: does it capture the magic of the stage?

We all know the story of Dorothy and the land of Oz, but before the Witch met her watery end, she had a life of her own. Born to the Governor of Munchkinland—or possibly to a traveling salesman who had an affair with the Governor’s wife—a green-skinned baby is brought into the world. Ashamed of her appearance, the Governor has the child taken away to be raised by the Midwife (Sharon D. Clarke). That baby grows up to be Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), a girl who stands out not just because of her green skin but also because of her extraordinary abilities.

Elphaba’s younger sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), gains admission to Shiz University, where she hopes to start fresh. At the school’s welcoming ceremony, Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) notices something remarkable about Elphaba and invites her to study under her personal tutelage. Elphaba agrees and is assigned to room with Glinda (Ariana Grande), the most popular girl on campus. The two initially clash, but their relationship evolves into a deep friendship. When Elphaba is invited to meet the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum), she brings Glinda along. However, their visit doesn’t go as planned, setting off a chain of events that turns everything upside down.

Written by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, Wicked is a story that has been almost thirty years in the making. Originally adapted into a grand stage musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, the tale has enjoyed years of revivals and tours, making it ripe for a cinematic adaptation. Unfortunately, Wicked Part One ends where the play typically goes to intermission—but instead of a 15-minute break, we’ll have to wait a year for the second half.

Wicked is ultimately an unexpected gem, though not without its flaws. One of the film’s biggest issues lies in its visuals, particularly its inconsistent color palette. Some scenes appear dim and muted, while others feel alive and vibrant, which is disappointing considering the original Wizard of Oz dazzled audiences with its glorious Technicolor. That said, there is still plenty to admire visually, including the stunning costumes designed by Paul Tazewell.

The real magic of Wicked though is presented in its two leads. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are simply phenomenal together, with Erivo’s performance and vocals leaving you in awe. Their chemistry carries the film and adds depth to the story’s emotional core.

My only major gripe is the decision to split the story into two movies. The narrative feels incomplete as a result, and it’s hard to say if audiences will embrace the cliffhanger ending. Even so, there’s enough magic here to bring a smile, thanks to the captivating performances, the magnificent songs, and the sheer joy of returning to the land of Oz.