Looking into the audience of the “Wicked” movie, I saw women and girls from 10 to 60 years old, donned in their own variations in green and pink, each finding their own meaning in this immortal story of female friendship.
Bringing “Wicked” to the silver screen has reinvoked a sense of magic that was created in the original production, a feeling that so many can connect to on such profound levels. The film’s evident messages of personal identity, friendship and the price of power make the movie easy to fall in love with. Despite being an older tale, “Wicked” holds values that will forever be applicable to our modern world.
The original stage musical has been running for over 20 years and has touched the hearts of millions across the world. The beautiful soundtrack composed by Stephen Schwartz reignited a community that has fawned over the emotional and moving story of friendship for years. From enemies in the beginning of the film to what feels like sisters by the end, the two female leads show a genuine transition toward an everlasting connection.
The tender offscreen relationship between Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, and Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, transpired beautifully in the film. The complex challenges the two are met with in the beginning in the film take viewers on an emotional journey throughout its entirety. The turning point of their relationship following “Dancing Through Life” reminds viewers of the nuances and power of female friendships. But what the film ultimately reveals throughout its runtime is that support and unity can come from the most unexpected places.
Aside from the Broadway production and the movie adaption, there is a seemingly endless supply of source material for the story. The musical attracts fans of the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel of the same name, the 1939 “The Wizard of Oz” film and the 14 “Wizard of Oz” books published in the early 1900s. Fans of each of these works have enjoyed finding Easter eggs hidden in the film.
The film's rendition of the iconic “Defying Gravity” elevated by emotionally moving cinematography, sent tears down my face, aligning to the play's theme of friendship and morality through the leads’ tenuous dynamic showcased in the song.
It would not be a blockbuster in today’s world without TikTok’s influence, and the resurfacing of clips from the original cast on Broadway and snippets from “The Wizard of Oz” show the range of audience members the film has resonated with.
As one of the greatest American fairy tales, the story of Oz has been passed down for generations through its many adaptations. The power of a story like “Wicked” proves to fans of all parts of the franchise that this classic will always be popular.
