Wicked

By Linda & Al Lerner

The theme is about dealing with the difficulty of fitting in when you’re ostracized for being different. And Chu uses a diverse cast of actors and dancers in huge well-choreographed production numbers. We really appreciated the wide and over head shots without over editing in dance numbers like “Dancing Through Life” so you can really appreciate the choreography and the intricate moving sets. The film builds musically throughout, but Grande and Erivo really go to great heights, belting out the signature show stopper everyone knows, “Defying Gravity.”

The sets are elaborate. So is the magnificent emerald green retro-looking bullet train that takes Elphaba to Oz. Costume Designer, Paul Tazewell, and Production Designer, Nathan Crowley exquisitely realize colorful detail in this film. There was always something to behold on screen, even Elphaba’s impressively tailored slick black costume, cape and hat. So are Michelle Yeoh’s intricately detailed ensembles which matched the sophisticated demeanor of her character as the school’s Madame Morrible, Elphaba’s Sorcery instructor. Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard combines the outwardly good-natured carnival huckster Oz hiding dark secrets. Even though we never forget it’s Goldblum, he’s still charming and fun to watch. 

We were impressed that Chu addressed some very important contemporary issues, physically, politically and mentally, in these fraught times. From Elphaba looking out for her disabled sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode), to animal rights and the silencing of dissidents exemplified by a professor that happens to be a talking goat named Dr. Dillamond, voiced with quiet intelligence by Peter Dinklage. 

When students at Shiz University of Magic first see Elphaba in all her green glory, they gawk and whisper. You’ll be amazed at the green makeup, yes, it’s makeup, Chu and Erivo wanted her character to be a luminescent shade of green, which was accomplished using a very special blend. Makeup Director Frances Hannon used a green paint mixed with a discontinued neon yellow makeup she found in Canada that gave Erivo’s face, neck and legs a specific sheen. No CGI for the makeup that took at least 2 1/2 hours to put on every day. A mask was made with freckles that could be used for continuity in her scenes as a young girl. Plus, if you’ve seen any interviews with the star, she has an abundance of ear piercings, so prosthetic ears were made for her to cover them. They are not her own ears. 

Grande’s Glinda makeup had its own complication. The popular pop star sports a number of tattoos which the make up team had to cover to create her flawless skin appearance. She used her own makeup line to complete the dewy look, juxtaposed with Elphaba more dramatic one. Glinda is always in the pink. But we were taken aback by her too light eyebrows, over thick, long black fake eyelashes. It seemed unbalanced, like she had to look out from under them. We’re sure heartthrob Fieryo, (immensely talented stage and screen star, Jonathan Bailey), just loved having Grande flutter those lashes at him, but it seemed a strange look for her character.  Grande is gorgeous and we understand it was part of her character, but it seemed to distract from her appearance. Bailey is a force to be reckoned with who lights up the screen in a very physical dance number. We wanted to see more of him in action, and hope to in the 2nd installment next year. 

Even though this film runs a long 2 hours and 40 minutes, it moves. This could easily be a successful stand alone movie, but it’s going to be a  challenge for Director Chu and crew to enhance what, to many, was not a strong a second act on Broadway. Chu has created a blockbuster, filled with music and positive messaging to kick off the holidays. Both Erivo and Grande grow into their roles, complement each other, emotionally giving it their all, as their voices soar!

Universal Pictures   2 hour 40 minutes    PG