Jon M. Chu’s film version of the 2003 (and still running) Broadway hit is a magnificent synthesis of movie musical and fantasy epic, one of those rare films that truly delivers “all-ages entertainment.” It’s smart, sweet, and sassy in equal measure, with eye-
popping special effects, lustrously colorful cinematography and production design, dynamic vocals and dancing, and—best of all—emotionally intimate storytelling. With terrific songs by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell) and screenplay by Winnie Holzman (the original musical book writer) and Dana Fox, it’s remarkably faithful to its stage source—or rather, to the first act of its stage source, with an anticipated part two scheduled for release in 2025. I can hardly wait.
Inspired by Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, which presents an alternative backstory to the classic 1900 children’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Wicked tells the “true story” of Elphaba Thropp, the unloved, green-skinned daughter of the governor of Munchkinland, who possesses uncanny supernatural powers that she can barely control. Elphaba (whose name is a play on the initials of Oz creator L. Frank Baum) forges an unlikely friendship with her pampered, pretty-in-pink college roommate Galinda, setting the pair on a path to meet none other than the Wizard of Oz himself—a journey that will transform Galinda into Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, and Elphaba into the infamous Wicked Witch of the West.
The heart of the film is the warm relationship between Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba and Ariana Grande’s Galinda, which conveys the story’s resonant themes of inclusivity, self-esteem, and the importance of standing up to prejudice and injustice. The terrific supporting cast includes Michelle Yeoh as Elphaba’s mentor in magic, Madame Morrible; charismatic Jonathan Bailey as Elphaba’s possible love interest, Fiyero (more to come in part two); and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard. There’s also delicious cameo appearances by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the roles of Elphaba and Galinda in Wicked’s Broadway premiere. PG, 160 min.
Wide release in theaters
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