“The Wizard of Oz” (1939) holds a special place in my heart. It’s been my favorite movie since I was 10 years old, and I’ve had the pleasure of viewing it over 25 times, many of those in a movie theater where I’ve introduced the film and led discussions. I’ve even had the unique opportunity to interview three of the Munchkins in person: Jerry Marin (Lollipop Guild), Margaret Pellegrini (flower pot lady), and Karl Slover (lead trumpeter in the Munchkins’ band, an Oz townsman and soldier). These experiences have given me a deep understanding and appreciation for the film.
I’ve also seen the stage musical “Wicked” and found it a delightful rendition. However, I must admit that I have not read the book “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” an American novel published in 1995, written by Gregory Maguire, on which the 2024 musical film “Wicked” is based. That being said, I recommend reading the book before you see the movie. I felt in the dark as if the talking animals and their plight were new to me; yes, it’s an important concept; however, I thought it took away from the original story of the two witches. The runtime of 2 hours and 45 minutes is too long for the film, especially for children. Parents, I cannot recommend it to those under the age of 8 or 10 due to frightening scenes involving fire and other dangers. With all this being said, I did appreciate and liked the movie; however, I didn’t love it.
The film “Wicked” is darker and adult-themed in comparison to the 1939 movie; it is intended as a prequel with emphasis on the Wicked Witch of the West, who is given the name Elphaba. Sadly, Elphaba, from her birth, is socially ostracized for having green skin. Hence, you’ll see repeated painful bullying. The film begins in the Land of Oz; you’ll see the citizens of Munchkinland as they celebrate the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. Glinda the Good (Witch) answers the question of why wickedness occurs as she tells the Witch’s backstory. She was born from an affair between the wife of then Governor Thropp and a traveling salesman; she was rejected from birth due to her green skin, which caused her to suffer a distressed childhood, que the song “No One Mourns the Wicked.” When asked if she and the Witch were friends, Glinda replies that they knew each other.
We are then transported years earlier when Elphaba Thropp arrives at Shiz University to drop off her paraplegic younger sister Nessarose. Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) is Shiz’s Dean of Sorcery Studies; when she discovers Elphaba’s magical abilities, she offers to tutor her privately. She accepts as she wants to meet the Wizard and become “de-greenified.” Next, she is forced to room with bubbly, popular Galinda Upland, and of course they clash.
Elphaba is curious about Dr. Dillamond, a talking goat who teaches Ozian history and faces discrimination. She follows him to his off-campus home, where he reveals that other animals are losing their civil rights. The film continues with Elphaba being ridiculed for wearing a black pointed hat that Galinda gave her as a playful prank and didn’t expect her to embrace it as her identity; clearly, the prank backfired. The mocking bothers Galinda, and she dances with Elphaba and offers to give her a makeover. Then shockingly, the next day, Dr. Dillamond is forcefully escorted out of his classroom after announcing that animals are no longer allowed to teach.
Of course, there is much more interaction in the story and side-bar scenes with a likable and talented dancing guy, Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), that Glinda likes, yet he’s enthralled with Elphaba. Actually, his scenes with the girls were my favorite, and I look forward to seeing him in future films. When the girls finally take the train to the Emerald City, their journey is again filled with songs, the grand reveal of the Emerald City, which I will not relay here. What I can say, is it takes two hours of film time to get to the Emerald City of with the remaining 45 minutes are the set up for the next part; this is only Part 1.
Wicked needed more character development in several areas, there were also too many loose ends, and more interaction was needed at the beginning with the Munchkins. Elphaba’s character was overbullied, and what was with the overly giant burning Witch at the start of the film? The flying monkeys were somewhat terrifying, especially as they grew their bird wings. I enjoyed all of the songs and the superb dancing in the musical, but I hope Part 2 focuses more on the characters and storylines.
Jerry Merin talking about Judy Garland
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Sarah Knight Adamson© November 24, 2024