Wicked: Part 1
★ ★ ★ ★
The Land of Oz learns that the Wicked Witch of the West is dead from Galinda the Good Witch (Ariana Grande), which causes everyone in Munchkinland to cheer, celebrate and erupt into song. As Galinda prepares to leave, a young girl asks if it’s true that she and the Wicked Witch were friends.
Galinda starts to tell the story of her relationship with the Wicked Witch before she became the infamous villain of Oz. She was named Elphaba at birth and her parents were Governor Frexpar Thropp (Andy Nyman) and Melena (Courtney Mae-Briggs). She was born green in color, head to toe, and became the family outcast, raised by her nanny, Dulcibear (Sharon D. Clarke).
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba
© 2024 Universal Pictures
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) grows up helping Nessarose (Marissa Bode), her wheelchair-bound, slightly younger sister, navigate growing up. It is clear Elphaba loves her sister, but has misgivings about being the caretaker – feelings she suppresses.
Elphaba escorts Nessarose to Shiz University, the preeminent college in Oz, and is instructed to help her get settled. While there, Elphaba accidentally displays some powerful magic, a talent that she has little control over and captures the attention of Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh).
Galinda was also trying to catch Morrible’s attention, setting off a dynamic between her and Elphaba that eventually leads to their friendship.
Thus begins part one of Wicked, based on the smash hit Broadway musical that has entertained audiences since its 2003 debut at the Gershwin Theatre in New York City. I must admit to never having seen the production, and after seeing this film, find it something I will have to remedy.
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Galinda
© 2024 Universal Pictures
Grande’s rendition of Galinda has a sweet pleasantness, almost at once endearing. She’s lived a pampered life and is somewhat oblivious to the fact that there’s a world that exists beyond her. That comes from her sheltered upbringing where virtually everything has pleasantly gone her way. But she has a good heart, and when the chips are down, she sincerely wants to help.
Erivo’s portrayal of Elphaba is the perfect counterbalance to Galinda, and it is easy to see how they eventually become friends. Elphaba is much more serious, having formed a thick skin from a more somber upbringing. Elphaba pulls from her strengths that protected her from her harsh childhood and uses them to excel at Shiz.
Elphaba boards a train to the see the Wizard
© 2024 Universal Pictures
Galinda and Elphaba develop a compelling relationship that, despite some predictable story beats, adds depth to the Wizard of Oz universe and provides context to the transformation of two witches from friends to enemies.
At the beginning of the film, and presumably in the Broadway production, the question is posed: “Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?”
The answer comes in the form of a musical that is both poignant and entertaining.
