Movie Review: ‘Wicked’

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Review by James Lindorf

“The Wizard of Oz” is one of the most beloved films in history and has been delighting fans for 85 years. In 1995, author Gregory Maguire penned “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” where he reimagined what happened in Oz before Dorthy’s arrival. The novel received mostly positive reviews but was not a significant hit. Still, it did serve as the inspiration for one of the most popular musicals in the history of live theater. Finally, after 20 years of dominating the stage, “Wicked” is ready to take on a different kind of theater when the film adaptation opens everywhere on November 18th.

Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is a young woman who is misunderstood and mistreated in her home and everywhere she goes because of her unusual green skin. When Elphaba accompanies her younger sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) on her first day at Shiz University, her latent magical powers catch the attention of their Dean of Sorcery, Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). Offered her own spot at the university, private tutelage, and the hope of meeting the Wizard is more than Elphaba could ever turn down. Enrolling at the last minute leaves little room for Elphaba, but the school’s most popular student, Galinda (Ariana Grande), offers to room with her in the hopes of earning favor with the Dean. The pair finds that opposites do not attract each other in all situations and begin a feud that seems to involve everyone on campus. Through a series of events, they begin to bond and eventually develop an unlikely and profound friendship that will be rocked when the pair meet with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), setting them on their paths to becoming Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

There will be plenty of nomination talk for “Wicked” when the season rolls around, but it is too early to predict how things will play out. I could see it being considered for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Visual Effects, and/or Production Design for creating the best universe since “Avatar” and Harry Potter. However, if I were to give it one award, it would be Best Director. Even though this is just part 1, with the conclusion of the story due out a year from now, this one not only ends on a satisfying note reminiscent of “The Empire Strikes Back” but may be the best-paced film I have seen all year. The 160-minute runtime passes quickly without me feeling the urge to check the time. It is great to see an epic movie that doesn’t overstay its welcome at a time when everything feels a little too long.

A major factor in that extended welcome is the performances and chemistry of Erivo and Grande. Glinda and Elphaba are both complex characters that each actress was able to embody completely. The passion, hope, and sadness that motivate Elphaba are contrasted by Glinda’s drive, entitlement, and bubbliness. Erivo has the advantage of playing the more central and likable character, but she was up to the task. Surprisingly, even though Grande is the pop star who sells out arenas, Enrivo steals the show with her performance of Defying Gravity. While those two carry the film to near perfection, the supporting cast is a bit hit or miss.

Jeff Goldblum is here doing Goldblum things which you may find exciting or exhausting. Then there is the inclusion of Bowen Yang as one of Glinda’s lackeys who cheapens every scene by playing it like he is on the set of SNL. The most confusing performance comes from Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero, the love interest. He danced well and delivered his lines well, but there is an authenticity that is missing. He doesn’t feel princely or believable as a sex symbol or rebel. He just exists, and the film tells us these things about him. In the end, it is this weakness that could ultimately prevent it from being nominated or winning some of the major awards.

“Wicked” may be the most fun I have had in the theater this year, but it is the best musical since “Chicago,” 22 years ago, earning a strong 4 out of 5. A slightly stronger cast or better written Fiyero and a complete story told with this pace and level of entertainment would have earned the film a perfect 5, but I am excited to see it clean up at the box office and will be there opening weekend for part 2.

Rating: PG
Director: Jon M. Chu
Producer: Marc Platt, David Stone
Screenwriter: Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Marc Platt Productions