Wicked– Behind the Curtain?
In this highly original prequel to The Wizard of Oz, (based upon Gregory Maguire’s novel, Wicked), we have the portrayal of Elphaba’s childhood, in order to understand her later incarnation as the Wicked Witch of the West.
Wicked opens with the family drama engulfing Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo). Her harsh father, who is the renowned governor of Oz, has no love for Elphaba, only for her younger sister Nessarose, who has suffered a tragic childhood catastrophe.
Elphaba is highly analytical, studious, and courageously insightful. She knows who she is quite unapologetically, but is treated contemptuously because she is green.
Nessarose, her father’s favorite, is soon sent to the prestigious university in Oz to learn magic. He orders Elphaba to protect her sister, at the expense of her own studying. Soon Elphaba’s staggering superpower for magic leaves both the faculty and students awestruck.
Enter the beautiful blonde Galinda, known as the Good Witch in the classic story. Here, in sharp contrast, Galinda is highly entitled, narcissistic, and expects only adoration from everyone. The headmistress and super magician-maven, Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) realizes Elphaba is the most talented student and has the highest potential to master the secret arts. But can she control her superpower when bullied by her peers?
The antagonism between Elphaba and Galinda becomes the major plot. In addition, a romantic subplot is introduced with Duke Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), a handsome heartthrob and major attraction for both male and female students alike.
Replete with over the top dancing scenes, extraordinary songs as well as dazzling special effects, Wicked has something for everyone.For children, the dazzling special effects, costume designs, and magical feats will be spellbinding. For adults, the issues of racism, sexism, ableism, analytical versus irrational thought, animal rights, the nature of friendship as well as the sociological and psychological dynamics of group conformity. Political overtones of authoritarianism on the part of the wizard behind the curtain also are evident. Oz is post–truth, pre-fascism.
Surprisingly complex while also highly entertaining, Wicked pierces the veil behind the curtain. There are few narrative hiccups except for one or two overly long song-and-dance routines. And Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are extraordinarily well-matched, radiating in scene after scene, exuberantly singing and dancing with muscle and rhythm.[ “Defying Gravity”, sung by Erivo, should have been nominated for this year’s Best Song!] The supporting cast – – Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum (as the Wizard) and much less well-known Jonathan Bailey are exceptional!
A fantastic movie–not to be missed– and this is only Part One. Can hardly wait for Part Two. There is no rainbow… yet.
Availability: Peacock