Welcome back to the blog readers. Musical films have never really been my forte, but there have been some I have enjoyed. The Greatest Showman (2017) is one that comes to mind, but obviously the one we all know is The Wizard of Oz (1939). I knew I was excited to see this film, but as someone who is a rookie to the phenom known as Wicked, I was not sure what to expect. I know people have been raving about this film but what would I think? Stick around to find out.
Wicked was directed by Jon M. Chu from a screenplay by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, based on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire and the musical Wicked by Holzman and Stephen Schwartz. The film stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande-Butera, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, the voice of Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum. In the film, which is the first part of a two-part story, the green-skinned Elphaba begins her studies at Shiz University where she sets off on the path that will lead her to become the Wicked Witch of the West, alongside an unlikely friendship with the woman who will become Glinda the Good Witch of the North.
Like I alluded to, I was never the biggest fan of musical films because they mostly feel corny and the music really feels shoehorned in just to be there. But I know that the original musical is wildly popular (no pun intended) and beloved by millions around the world. With my knowledge of this musical limited only to the three songs performed on Glee (2009-15), I was hoping I would be entertained by this timeless classic. And I think entertained is an understatement. I was utterly floored by how good this film was. The lead performances of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were star-making, the music was catchy as hell, and the scale of this film is just next-level. Expect a lot of Oscar nominations to come this film's way.
I want to start by talking about the performance of Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp. I was not aware of Erivo's work prior to this film, but I was made aware of her in her Oscar-nominated performance in Harriet (2019), in which she also featured an Oscar-nominated original song. I was curious to see how she would be able to jump into such an iconic role, but I will tell you that Erivo absolutely nails every facet of this character. I have never seen someone understand a character better than this, and it shows as well. She knows when to bring the power to the role to capitalize on big moments. She knows when to bring the emotion to the role to get you invested in this character and her evolution. And don't even get me started on those pipes. She has some powerhouse vocals and some of the runs that she pulls off in this film literally gave me fucking chills. Expect a Best Actress nomination to (hopefully) come her way in January.
Now we need to talk about the performance of Ariana Grande-Butera (or as we know her, just simply Ariana Grande) as Galinda (later Glinda) Upland. I obviously have been following Grande's career since she appeared on the Nickelodeon series Victorious (2010-13) and Sam & Cat (2013-14). She has had a successful music career (of which I personally have not been a fan), but I was kind of nervous to see someone primarily known for music acting in such a complex role as this. Put her name on the fucking trophy now, because she was absolutely brilliant in this role. She knows how to play the self-indulgent and entitled Glinda so damn well that I absolutely bought it. She has impeccable comedic timing and the jokes landed as well. We knew she could sing from her prolific solo career, but I did not know those notes could come out of her mouth. It was almost like I was at the damn opera and Ms. Grande was taking us to church. She is my new frontrunner to not only be nominated for Best Supporting Actress, but win it.
I next want to talk about the music of this film, because everybody involved absolutely brought their A-game for the musical numbers. Like I said at the start, my knowledge of this musical was limited only to the three songs performed on Glee, but two of them appear in this film. Grande gets to let loose with those angelic operatic vocals in the opening ensemble number "No One Mourns the Wicked" that sets the stage for the story ahead, and on the track "Dear Old Shiz" that leads us in. Michelle Yeoh gets to sing on the track "The Wizard and I" that is more a vehicle for Erivo to let loose. Our first duet of the film, "What Is This Feeling?" sees the voices of Grande and Erivo meshed together beautifully as they sing about their characters' disdain for each other.
Peter Dinklage gets to sing (something I never thought I would see) in the ominous "Something Bad." Jonathan Bailey and Ethan Slater get in on the fun in the nearly 10 minute "Dancing Through Life." Grande does her best Kristin Chenowith in "Popular" as Erivo gets to lament love she never had in "I'm Not That Girl." Some surprise guests (you will see for yourself as this is a spoiler-free review) join in on the fun in the "One Short Day" number. Jeff Goldblum gets to sing his little heart out in "A Sentimental Man," but the tables are turned and I was left speechless as Erivo showcases just how talented she is in the finale number, "Defying Gravity." I was left with chills at that last performance because it was clearly done (as was with every one of the performances) with the utmost reverence to the OG musical.
I want to end this review off by talking about the scale of the film, and that includes the visuals, the set design, and the cinematography. In terms of the visuals, I was completely baffled at how gorgeous this film looks. Every shot of this film looks like a mosaic painting (Picasso!) come to life, especially in the wide shots. This film is my lock right now to win Best Production Design because all of the sets in this film are fabulous. From the actual millions of tulips in the fields to the actual train Glinda and Elphaba ride to the Emerald City to Shiz University being an actual set was absolutely mind-blowing to me. And as for the cinematography, this goes hand-in-hand with the visuals to make a visually stunning film that may just get Alice Brooks an Oscar nomination.
In conclusion, Wicked is a dazzling and beautiful portrayal of destiny with star-making performances and much love to the original source material. Thank you all for reading, and I will see you for the next post.
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