A Delightfully Wicked Movie

SPOILER ALERT!!!!! This article contains spoilers from the movie musical “Wicked” starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. 

The lights dim and a hush falls throughout the theater. The excitement is palpable. The audience settles in to watch Part 1 of the story of Glinda and Elphaba, two unlikely friends turned foes at the hands of misguided ambition and conflicting ideologies. We first came to know Glinda the Good Witch of the North and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz,” which many of us grew up watching and adoring. 

The movie “Wicked” begins where the Wizard of Oz ends, with the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. Only this time, it isn’t Dorothy and her ruby slippers we are focused on. Glinda is speaking to the people of Munchkin Land, telling them the Wicked Witch has finally met her demise. They are singing “No One Mourns the Wicked” and the people want to know exactly how Glinda and Elphaba came to know each other, and if it’s true that Elphaba was born wicked, or did she become that way at some later point in her life?  

Before Glinda divulges how she and Elphaba came to know each other, she explains that Elphaba was the product of a one-night affair her mother had while her father was away. When Elphaba is born, to the dismay of her parents, she has green skin, resulting in her parents, particularly her father, being deeply disturbed by her mere presence. We see a glimpse into Elphaba’s childhood and how she had to be raised by the family’s talking animal servants, as her parents want little to do with her. Elphaba eventually has a younger sister named Nessa Rose, whose birth results in the death of her mother. 

A flash forward shows Nessa Rose being dropped off at the school Shiz, where Elphaba lets some of her powers show when she gets emotional, causing quite the ruckus. This is noticed by the headmistress Madame Morrible, played by Michelle Yeoh, who is so impressed by Elphaba’s power, that she decides to take her on as a private student, although Elphaba wasn’t initially supposed to attend Shiz. They seal the deal with the song “The Wizard and I,” catapulting the beginning of Cynthia Erivo’s brilliant vocal performance which she maintains throughout the movie. 

Glinda is quite appalled by Elphaba’s green skin and is also jealous of the power she suspects Elphaba possesses and how she has already attracted the attention of Madame Morrible, who not only offers to coach Elphaba in one-on-one lessons, but also has suggested Elphaba may be special enough to get a chance to meet the great and powerful Wizard of Oz someday. Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Glinda is one that demonstrates the pop star’s acting ability, comedic timing and downright delightfulness. It is apparent that Ariana was well-prepared for this role, as the pop singer has mentioned in interviews, playing this role has been a dream of hers since she first saw Kristin Chenoweth in the musical on Broadway. 

Jonathan Bailey’s character Fiyero Tigelaar is introduced when he first encounters Elphaba in the forest. He is unphased by her green skin, unlike most people. It turns out that he is a prince who will also be attending Shiz. Once he gets there, he immediately attracts the attention of Glinda. The two seem perfectly suited for each other as neither seems to take life very seriously. They exemplify this idea with the vibrant number “Dancing Through Life” where dare I say, Jonathan Bailey razzles, dazzles and enchants. 

The Shiz students attend the Ozdust Ballroom to have a good time, and this is where Elphaba and Glinda first show the makings of what comes to be a real friendship. Up to this point, Glinda has been a mean and ruthless bully towards Elphaba. But once Glinda finds out Elphaba has insisted that Madame Morrible also take Glinda on as a private student, she is touched. So touched in fact, that she puts her own reputation on the line by supporting Elphaba and dancing with her, although the other students are gaping and making fun of Elphaba’s strange hat, which Glinda had previously given her as a trick, and her unusual dance moves. 

This moment is beautifully touching as Cynthia Erivo emotes pure vulnerability, where it also becomes clear that Elphaba is not used to anyone being kind to her. Although the kindness comes in the form of someone who has thus far been out to get her, Elphaba quickly embraces the friendship. The two share the screen during the performance of “Popular,” one of the more lighthearted and fun numbers between the two women. 

One of Elphaba’s biggest undertakings is her desire to help the animals, who are losing their ability to speak, being silenced and caged, showing how the land of Oz intends to treat animals going forward. When her goat professor Doctor Dillamond, who is voiced by Peter Dinklage, gets removed from Shiz, Elphaba enchants all her classmates except Fiyero to fall asleep so she can set a baby lion cub free. Perhaps the very lion who comes to hate Elphaba so much that he joins Dorothy and friends in their quest to destroy her? No good deed goes unpunished, I suppose. Although Fyiero is dating Glinda, the chemistry and admiration he has for Elphaba is undeniable. 

When Elphaba finally receives an invitation to travel to the Emerald City to meet her idol, the Wizard of Oz, she invites Glinda to join her at the last second, to which the ambitious witch quickly agrees, and the two best friends depart on the train to see their dreams come true. When they get to Oz, they are greeted by two well-known faces for anyone that is familiar with the original Broadway production. Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel make their cameos as “The Wise Ones” and greet the women before they encounter the Wizard in the expanded number “One Short Day.” 

However, meeting the Wizard, played by Jeff Goldblum, is not quite as amazing as Elphaba had imagined. She quickly surmises that not only does the great and powerful Oz have zero powers, but it is also he who is responsible for the capturing and enslavement of the animals. Elphaba is incensed and refuses to help the Wizard, while Glinda tries to convince her friend to pacify. Elphaba flees and bursts into the climactic number “Defying Gravity.” Glinda catches up to her and continues to attempt to placate her angry friend, but Elphaba will not comply. The two decide this is where their paths must part. Elphaba is almost caught until she realizes the depth of her power and narrowly escapes by flying away on her broomstick. 

The set, performances, cinematography, musical score and choreography in this movie are all top-tier outstanding. The casting was mostly perfect, with each character really seeming as though the actor playing them were born to do so. The vocal performances are nothing short of brilliant, particularly Cynthia Erivo’s rendition of the famous ending note in “Defying Gravity.” Although her vocals are commanding throughout the movie, they are particularly intense while she sings this empowering tune. The only complaint I have about this movie is that I have to wait until next year to see Part 2. Although I often wait for movies to be released on streaming before I see them, this is one I will not miss in the theaters. If anyone is looking for me Nov. 21, 2025, you will be able to find me at the movies, as I already cannot wait to see the rest of this remarkably told story. Brava to the entire cast and crew!