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A 124-year-old cultural icon
Since its release, “The Wizard of Oz” has maintained a unique position in popular culture, inspiring a plethora of films, television shows, and plays. Each adaptation offers a fresh perspective on the land of Oz.
The book “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” published in 1995, is a continuation of the 1939 “The Wizard of Oz” story after the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. Gregory Maguire’s Wicked revives the legacy of Oz in a completely new way, approaching the story of the characters in the Oz universe from a previously unheard-of perspective. The book offers a different viewpoint on the character of Elphaba while delving into the tragic past of the blue witch, interwoven with profound reflections 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.
Following the book's resounding success, "Wicked" was adapted into a stage musical in 2003, which immediately became a phenomenon. "Wicked" continues the events near the end of the classic 1939 film, where the Wicked Witch is splashed with water by Dorothy and then melts. The film opens with the familiar image of Elphaba's hat lying silently in a puddle, then fluttering through an open window, over poppy fields, waterfalls, and the Yellow Brick Road – all leading to the distant Emerald City. Glinda, in her role as the Good Witch, visits the village of Munchkin to share the good news: the Western Witch is dead.
With an estimated budget of around $200 million, Wicked received 92% positive reviews from critics and 99% positive audience ratings on its opening day in international markets.
The Munchkin people cheered and danced, curious and asking her about her relationship with the Wicked Witch. From here, untold stories and secrets gradually began to unfold. Wicked travels back in time to when Galinda was still an innocent girl and not yet the Glinda we know, beginning his 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).
Multiple layers of meaning are embedded in each frame of the film.
“Wicked” skillfully exposes the contradictions within a realistic socio-political context. Global issues such as mass eviction and other fundamental human rights are subtly interwoven. For example, the story of Professor Dillamond (voiced by Peter Dinklage) – a respected Elphaba goat – represents a minority group in society deprived of their rights.
In the musical film, the wicked witch from "The Wizard of Oz" is portrayed as a complex character with her own ideals and story.
The metaphorical imagery of talking animals evokes the treatment of Jews under Nazi rule, while also reflecting the reality of immigration expulsion in the West. Accordingly, the Great Wizard (played by Jeff Goldblum) – representing the authoritarian ruling class who believe they have the right to deprive the animals of Oz of their freedom and rights – highlights the abuse of power and oppression in society. From this, the film also raises the challenge of animals evolving and possessing human-like abilities yet enduring discrimination.
The casting of Cynthia Erivo, a Black actress, as the Wicked Witch of the West further emphasizes the metaphors of oppression against marginalized groups. Elphaba's blue skin becomes a powerful symbol of difference and social prejudice. This is especially true when Headmaster Morrible declares to the people of Oz about Elphaba: "Her blue skin is the outward manifestation of her evil nature!" This reflects the ways society often discriminates and separates.
Despite facing prejudice, she harbored no resentment and always showed love and compassion.
It's also a gentle yet profound story of friendship about overcoming differences. Set long before Dorothy's arrival in Oz, Wicked (2024) revolves around the magical encounter between Elphaba and Glinda at Shizuka University. In “Wicked,” Maguire created a more complex and profound Elphaba. With her blue skin, strong and determined, Elphaba is the epitome 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 best friends throughout their time at magic school, facing great challenges together.
Despite their vastly different backgrounds and personalities, Elphaba and Galinda reluctantly become roommates, experiencing exciting college years alongside friends like Boq (Ethan Slater) – a Munchkin infatuated with Galinda – and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), a fun-loving and somewhat arrogant prince.
In Wicked, evil isn't always simple and straightforward; sometimes it stems from trauma, misunderstandings, or difficult life decisions.
The bond between Erivo and Grande is the key element that gives the film its emotional depth. Erivo brings to life a completely new Elphaba, gentler and full of a yearning to integrate into society. She uses her eyes to subtly convey Elphaba's sadness, loneliness, and also her unwavering hope and determination. Enduring all kinds of gossip, Elphaba still holds onto her faith and hope for a brighter future, where Oz sees the good 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 content was added to explain the split into two parts. The film remains faithful to the original source material, with no new songs accompanying the original compositions by Stephen Schwartz. “Wicked” concludes with the magnificent sound of the classic “Defying Gravity.” Overall, “Wicked” is a film with many impressive visuals, captivating music, and skillful storytelling, particularly suitable for this year's holiday season. The film is not just an adaptation of the novel and stage play to the screen, but also conveys its allegorical messages fully through impressive connections.
