Wicked

“Wicked’s thoughtful casting underscores its story of social injustice and the fight for equality.”

Title: Wicked (2024)
Director: Jon M. Chu 👨🏻🇺🇸
Writers: Screenplay by Winnie Holzman 👩🏼🇺🇸 and Dana Fox 👩🏼🇺🇸, based on the musical by Stephen Schwartz 👨🏼🇺🇸 and Winnie Holzman 👩🏼🇺🇸

Reviewed by Gavin 👨🏼🇬🇧🌈♿

—MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD—

Technical: 4/5

Jon M. Chu’s Wicked is the latest film to join the ranks of Broadway musical adaptations. Drawn from the original 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, the story explores the origins of The Wizard of Oz’s (1939) “Wicked Witch of the West.” But said “wicked witch” is wrongfully maligned; she’s just a student who goes by the name of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo). Chu’s film, which is actually the first half of a two-part adaptation, sees Elphaba strike a friendship with Glinda (Ariana Grande) as they attend Shiz University and discover their powers—and themselves.

Giving such a beloved musical the film treatment is no easy feat, but everyone involved has done a fine job. Wicked provides big laughs and big emotions, thanks to stellar direction and performances. Each song bursts with energy through kinetic camerawork, inspiring set design, and dazzling choreography. The film hits its stride with the more emotive set pieces; “Defying Gravity” is great, but the “Ozdust Duet”—where Elphaba and Glinda share a silent dance together—flawlessly brings together the themes of difference and friendship, as well as crucial character development.

Still, there are elements that don’t work as well. Even with beautiful production design, the lighting and post-production processing make certain scenes look flat and lifeless. Only being half a story also doesn’t help, with a lack of conclusion to any plot thread or character arc, making it impossible to feel anything about the film’s messaging. The upcoming sequel will surely resolve that issue, but hopefully, the visuals will be improved too.

Gender: 5/5
Does it pass the Bechdel Test? YES

Wicked has a roster of women in important roles and positions of power. Behind the camera, female writers Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox make them all believable, engaging characters. Grande’s portrayal of Glinda is sublime as she nails the comedic timing required for the obnoxious popular girl to be endearing, whilst also bringing quietly dramatic moments to life. Marissa Bode stands out as Nessarose, Elphaba’s sister who also attends Shiz University and discovers herself as a young adult whilst dealing with ableism as a wheelchair user, and Michelle Yeoh is serviceable as Madame Morrible, who takes the magically gifted Elphaba under her wing in a huge narrative role.

Above all, Erivo is phenomenal as Elphaba. She imbues the character with vulnerability, strength, and compassion, and her powerful singing voice carries the musical numbers. Elphaba might be the lead, but the heart of the film is Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship as they grow from roommates who dislike each other to close friends. It’s wonderful to see a female friendship blossom, even when they have different personalities that often clash. These women have flaws but also aspirations and strength in their actions, making them wholly three-dimensional.

Race: 4/5

The original Broadway musical wasn’t very diverse, but that’s no longer the case here. Chinese-Taiwanese American director Chu is a great choice for his work on Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and In The Heights (2021), and with Wicked, he successfully adapts Elphaba’s character arc of being a misunderstood outcast to a powerful rebel. Casting Erivo, a Black British woman of Nigerian descent, feels purposeful; Elphaba is shunned by society for her skin colour (albeit here, it’s green). Wicked’s story is also a metaphor for prejudice enacted by institutional powers, as the Animals—a class of animals who can speak like humans—have their civil rights stripped away, and Elphaba fights for the Animals knowing firsthand what it is like for them to be mistreated for being different.

There are also several supporting characters of colour: the previously mentioned Yeoh (Chinese Malaysian) and Bode (biracial Black and white), plus Chinese American Bowen Yang as comedic sidekick Pfannee. Black British Sharon D. Clarke voices the CG character Dulcibear, and background performers are typically diverse for a modern-day musical. That said, most of the key characters surrounding Elphaba are played by white actors.

Narratively, Wicked gets across the concept of racial stereotyping as perpetuated by those in power—save for one important moment. A scene between Elphaba and Glinda towards the end of the film signals the idea that it’s acceptable to let people who allow and maintain suppressive actions off the hook just because they’re our “friends.” It’s a damaging statement in a mass-market film that otherwise has some lovely messages about inclusion. Wicked’s second part might wrap up its sentiments in a more profound way, but we won’t know until next year.

Bonus for LGBTQ: +0.50

Whilst Wicked doesn’t overtly explore sexuality, it's worth noting the musical’s (and now film’s) iconic status among many queer viewers, thanks to Elphaba and Glinda’s close relationship and the story’s resonant themes of ostracization. There’s also plenty to celebrate when looking at queer representation in the film’s cast: Out actors includes Erivo, Bode, Clarke, and Yang, as well as Jonathan Bailey playing the charming prince Fiyero and Bronwyn James as Glinda’s friend ShenShen. It’s meaningful for a massive tentpole movie to cast so many LGBTQ actors into key roles.

Bonus for Disability: +0.25

Just like in the stage production, Nessarose uses a wheelchair. But for the first time, the character is played by a disabled actor; Bode also uses a wheelchair. Nessarose’s insistence on being independent and fighting ableist attitudes makes her captivating and convincing, and she doesn’t fall into any harmful stereotypes. That said, she fades into the background in the final third of the film, lessening the impact of an otherwise great character.

Mediaversity Grade: A- 4.58/5

Overall, this first half of the cinematic adaptation is a success. Wicked’s thoughtful casting also underscores its story of social injustice and the fight for equality. Unfortunately, we won’t know whether the filmmakers stick the landing or not until the second part hits screens next year.

Like Wicked? Try these other film adaptations of musicals.

Grade: ALiDecember 17, 2024Female/Nonbinary Creator, Great for: Gender, Great for: LGBTQ