124-year-old cultural icon
Since its debut, “The Wizard of Oz” has maintained a unique place in popular culture, inspiring countless films, television shows, and plays. Each adaptation offers a fresh take on Oz.
The 1995 book “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” is a continuation of the 1939 story “The Wizard of Oz” after the Wicked Witch of the West has passed away. Gregory Maguire’s Wicked revives the Oz legacy in a completely new way, approaching the story of the characters in the Oz universe from a never-before-told lens. The book offers a different perspective on the character Elphaba while also exploring the green witch’s tragic past, interwoven with profound thoughts on the nature of good and evil.
Wicked, a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, is adapted from Gregory Maguire's novel and the popular Broadway musical of the same name.
With the book’s huge success, “Wicked” was adapted into a stage musical in 2003, and became an instant hit. “Wicked” picks up near the end of the 1939 classic, when Dorothy doused the Wicked Witch and melted her. The film opens with Elphaba’s signature hat floating in a puddle, flying through an open window, past poppy fields, waterfalls, and the Yellow Brick Road—all leading to the distant Emerald City. Glinda, as the Good Witch, visits the Munchkin village to share the good news: the Witch of the West is dead.
With an estimated budget of about 200 million USD, Wicked received 92% reviews from experts and 99% from audiences on the first day of showing in the international market.
The Munchkins cheer and dance, curious and questioning her about her relationship with the Wicked Witch. From here, untold stories and secrets are gradually revealed. Wicked travels back in time, when Galinda was still an innocent girl and had not yet become the Glinda we know, and begins the journey to discover the story behind the iconic characters of the legendary Oz.
The film's plot revolves around the complex and emotional relationship between two witches, Elphaba Thropp (Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (Good Witch of the South).
Many layers of meaning are conveyed in each film.
“Wicked” deftly exposes contradictions in a realistic socio-political context. Global issues such as mass deportation and other basic human rights are subtly woven in. For example, the story of Professor Dillamond (voiced by Peter Dinklage) – a respectful Elphaba goat who represents a disenfranchised minority group in society.
In the musical, the wicked witch of “The Wizard of Oz” is reimagined as a complex character with her own ideals and story.
The metaphor of talking animals evokes the treatment of Jews under Nazi Germany, and reflects the reality of the deportation of immigrants in the West. Accordingly, the Great Wizard (played by Jeff Goldblum) - representing the authoritarian ruling class, who thinks he has the right to deprive the freedom and rights of the animals of Oz - highlights the issue of abuse of power and oppression in life. From here, the film also poses the challenge of animals evolving and having the same abilities as humans but having to endure discrimination.
The casting of Cynthia Erivo, a black actress, as the Wicked Witch of the West further emphasizes the metaphors of oppression against disadvantaged groups. Elphaba's green skin becomes a powerful symbol of difference and social prejudice. This is especially true when Principal Morrible announces to the people of Oz about Elphaba: "Your green skin is an outward manifestation of your evil nature!" This reflects the ways in which society often discriminates and discriminates.
Despite facing prejudice, she does not bear hatred but always shows love.
Or it is also a gentle yet profound friendship story about overcoming differences. Set long before Dorothy arrived in Oz, Wicked (2024) revolves around the magical encounter between Elphaba and Glinda at Shiz University. In “Wicked”, Maguire created a more complex and profound Elphaba. Elphaba, with her green skin, strong and determined, is the model of a “precocious” child. Because of her different skin color, she becomes the target of ridicule and ostracism from her father and everyone around her.
When they meet Glinda (Ariana Grande), a beautiful and innocent girl, the two from different worlds gradually become close friends during their time at magic school, facing great challenges together.
Despite their vastly different backgrounds and personalities, Elphaba and Galinda reluctantly become roommates, spending their exciting college years alongside friends like Boq (Ethan Slater), a Munchkin infatuated with Glinda, and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), a fun-loving and somewhat arrogant prince.
In Wicked, evil isn't always simple and clear-cut, but sometimes stems from trauma, misunderstandings, or difficult decisions in life.
The bond between Erivo and Grande is a key element that gives the film emotional depth. Erivo brings a new Elphaba, gentler and more eager to fit into society. She uses her eyes to subtly convey Elphaba's sadness, loneliness, and also her hope and unwavering determination. Despite all the gossip, Elphaba still holds on to her faith and hope for a brighter future, where Oz sees the goodness in her.
The film encourages us to look at issues from different perspectives, because good and evil are not always clearly defined.
However, in the 2 hour and 41 minute adaptation, very little is added to justify the split. The film is faithful to the source material, with no new songs accompanying the original songs by composer Stephen Schwartz. “Wicked ends with the wonderful sound of the classic "Defying Gravity." All in all, “Wicked” is a movie with many impressive shots, captivating music and a skillful storytelling style, especially suitable for this year's festival season. The film is not only an adaptation from the novel, stage to screen, but also fully expresses the metaphorical messages through impressive connections.
