Director: Jon M. Chu
Writers: Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande-Butera, Jonathan Bailey
Synopsis: Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman because of her green skin, and Glinda, a popular girl, become friends at Shiz University in the Land of Oz. After an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads.
Modern movie musicals are a little afraid of themselves. In their marketing they rarely show actors singing. Within the films they rely heavily on editing and close ups, which can completely detract from the dance sequences and complex movements. Singing and dancing are paramount to the genre; it’s strange for a musical film to not want to market that to potential viewers. Wicked is even afraid of telling us that it is an incomplete story. Much like Dune in 2021, it is only after release that everyone is officially informed that this particular film is actually Wicked: Part I. It doesn’t help either that 21 years after the original musical’s run on Broadway, the story feels a little dated.
The songs are beautiful, but feel dissonant somehow like they are dated and too well worn. The story is powerful, but doesn’t say enough. The themes are universal, but they ring a bit false. Within the musical genre it’s also very difficult to establish real emotional rawness because it has to move on quickly. There is an emotional core to the story, but it feels as if when the story hits those notes, the filmmakers want to move on. If you’re really going to bring this story to life, it could have used an actual story update instead of just a major movie face lift that should have included new orchestrations for the songs. It’s obvious from the vehemence of the fan base for the original stage musical that those would be very unpop-u-lar choices.
In spite of that lingering, nagging negativity, Wicked: Part I will still take your breath away. Director Jon M. Chu is proving to be a director who can pull off some incredible sequences and who hires incredible artisans. Production designer Nathan Crowley has created an enchanting world filled with beautiful, unique sets and props. The costumes designed by Paul Tazewell are otherworldly and absolutely gorgeous. Even Alice Brooks’ cinematography feels immersive, like we’re in the film with the characters, walking and dancing apace. Frances Hannon and Karen Cohen led a makeup and hair team that created some really stunning looks for each character.
The comments in the first paragraph notwithstanding, there are some incredible dance sequences that show off this talented cast. Especially the incredible song, “Dancing Through Life” featuring Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) in the library. Bailey plays it with so much oozing sex appeal and charisma that it makes every person in the scene, and every person in the audience, immediately melt into gooey lust at his charm.
In contrast, there’s also a spectacular scene later as Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) realizes that her presence at The Ozdust Ballroom is to be the butt of the joke. In the middle of the circle of people who laugh and snicker at her, she makes a choice about a dance. The scene is virtually wordless as she choreographs the dance for herself. She thrusts her arms, taps her heels, and just moves in a unique and pained way. Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera) joins Elphaba not to mock, but to encourage her and to assuage her, Glinda’s, guilt at playing a heartless prank on someone who didn’t deserve it. It becomes a dance between the two of them and it is beautiful to watch.
It’s hard not to watch Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. Yes, she has incredible pipes, but she also has immense acting talent. Her emotional journey is played out in silent looks, in miniscule facial expressions, and large emotive eyes. There is a scene toward the end as her mentor, Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), villainizes her to all of Oz. Rather than cutting away to Madame Morrible speaking, we only see Elphaba’s reaction. It’s a pitch perfect movement on Erivo’s part. She goes from disbelief, to devastation, to anger over the course of the speech.
As good as Cynthia Erivo is, Ariana Grande-Butera is astounding. She fits into Glinda like she was born to play her. Her singing is beautiful, but her comedic chops are simply perfection. There are so many laugh out loud moments and phrases that she tosses out expertly without missing a perfectly coiffed stride. Her playing hard to get with Fiyero is so delightful and such an excellently played scene. She owns every bit of the screen.
The effects, both practical and computerized, and the choreography are also truly spectacular. In spite of its story flaws, Wicked: Part I is an extremely entertaining and affecting ride. The acting ensemble is terrific and the original cast cameos are worth it. It’s a film that makes you wish it were five hours just to see it and Wicked: Part II in a single sitting so it doesn’t lose so much momentum with a year gap in between.
