But that enormous level of cultural impact is precisely what makes a film adaptation of “Wicked” a dicey decision. The musical has become such a staple in the pantheon of pop culture that a movie version could turn a lucrative Hollywood no-brainer into a cringeworthy laughingstock if the source material wasn’t handled with the care that diehard fans expect. Then there’s the added challenge of making a film that is both faithful to the cherished stage production and accessible to audiences who are entirely unfamiliar with the show. Consider the hyper-critical eyes of the fanbases of stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who were tapped to portray the film versions of Elphaba and Glinda, and the film could be faced with pressure that proves insurmountable.
Despite being a lofty task, “Wicked" rises to meet its grand potential. The film is a bewitching spectacle, a classic holiday season event movie that brims with enough earnestness to keep even its fluffiest moments from becoming corny intellectual property slop. Director Jon M. Chu leans into the whimsy of Baum’s original story, crafting a version of Oz that feels reminiscent of the one in our collective consciousness without being a direct copy, while balancing that playful atmosphere with the darker adult themes that permeate Maguire’s novel. In that way, Chu takes a stab at making a blockbuster for our times, one that doesn’t shy away from contending with the darkness of contemporary politics and society. Though Chu doesn’t always hit the mark — hindered by some baffling creative decisions along the way — “Wicked” consistently dazzles, glittering with an abundance of star power and a rock-solid emotional center in Erivo’s not-so-wicked witch.
The most plucky and popular of the student body is Glinda (Ariana Grande), who gets everything she wants with a flick of her wavy blonde hair — which Grande does to repeated comedic effect — except when it comes to her roommate assignment. Glinda and Elphaba are given a shared dorm, and as Elphaba’s favor grows with Madame Morrible, things between the two young witches become increasingly contentious. Even as their characters spar, Erivo and Grande maintain a chemistry palpable enough to keep viewers rooting for their inevitable enemies-to-besties shift. But the screenplay, penned by the stage production’s book writer Winnie Holzman along with Dana Fox, has enough emotional highs and lows to keep the journey entertaining, despite audiences being able to figure out the destination.
The highs are most frequently supplied by the film’s magnificent musical numbers, which boast the stellar choreography typical of Chu’s work while highlighting the movie’s meticulous production design and practical set pieces. Though there are flourishes of new material, disciples of composer Stephen Schwartz’s songs can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the changes are minor but welcome. A new ending to “Popular” allows Grande to light up the screen, twirling and kicking to the finish line of one of the musical’s most adored cuts. Elsewhere, the film’s version of “The Wizard and I” benefits from letting Erivo run and frolic about the Shiz University campus, cleverly supplying viewers with a sense of atmosphere and space that is not typically afforded in a stage show. In fact, “Wicked” operates with its audience constantly in mind, keeping an amiable pace that manages not to be bogged down by too many songs or unnecessary reprises.
Luckily, Erivo is a gifted enough performer to transcend these mystifying decisions. Her Elphaba is quiet and tender, a perfect complement to Grande’s joke-cracking chatterbox Glinda. Erivo supplies the film with Elphaba’s tinges of long-held sorrow and confusion that allow “Wicked” to be in conversation with the world it’s being released into. Elphaba’s progressiveness and curious soul reflect a real-life society troubled by the potential ramifications of Donald Trump’s reelection. When Elphaba journeys to Oz alongside Glinda in the film’s final half hour, she discovers that it’s not just her magical power but her indefatigable spirit that makes her an enemy to the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). Seeing how easily Elphaba’s good nature is twisted to fit the agenda of those who seek uniformity and total control is unnervingly parallel to the racist rhetoric so often parroted by conservative mouthpieces.
That the themes explored in Maguire’s novel are just as relevant 30 years after its publication speaks to just how important “Wicked” is. This story is not merely a retconning of America’s most beloved fairy tale, it’s a warning about the spoils of unregulated power. And with the film’s electrifying final song, “Defying Gravity” — which also serves as the closing number for the musical’s first act — Erivo delivers a jaw-dropping, applause-worthy performance worth the price of admission alone. During this sequence, the film’s flaws briefly fade, giving way to the kind of classic movie magic that has become all too scarce. Whether the follow-up movie can sustain this momentum is anyone’s guess. But if its spell is as enchanting as “Wicked,” these films could be a far-reaching, critical reminder to audiences everywhere to keep moving forward in the face of ceaseless uncertainty, no matter how dark things may get.
"Wicked" Part 1 is in theaters nationwide Friday, Nov. 22.
