As a lifelong fan of musicals and someone who has always felt a little out of place due to my unique appearance, I can honestly say that the Ozone-fueled dance floor extravaganza at the “Wicked” party was nothing short of magical! The way they brought Ariana Grande’s Glinda and Ariana Erivo’s Elphaba together in a beautiful display of friendship and understanding made my heart swell.
Over the past few days, I’ve been eagerly waiting to share my thoughts on “Wicked: Part 1”, and let me tell you, there are numerous points I want to discuss, but one particular scene resonated with me far more deeply than the stage version.
To start off, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of “Wicked” for quite some time now. In fact, throughout 2024’s movie lineup, I kept my fingers crossed that this film would finally be out and not delayed anymore. Luckily, it was released, shattered pre-Thanksgiving box office records, and turned into a massive success.
In this movie, there are numerous aspects worth admiration, yet I’d like to focus on a single scene that truly stirred my feelings – a scene I believe outshone the stage musical in an exceptional way. So, let’s delve deeper into it.
First Off, The Film Was Fantastic From Beginning To End
Before I say anything about this scene, I have to give praise to the musical in general.
When it comes to movie musicals, they can be very hard to make. You could have a beautiful success like the West Side Story cast and Steven Spielberg’s fantastic remake. You could have a jukebox musical like the wonderful Ella Enchanted or the rewatchable Mamma Mia!, which isn’t necessarily an original musical but consists of famous songs that we all love.
And then you could have… Cats. Which no one wants.
Thank goodness, “Wicked: Part 1” turned out to be exceptionally well-made. In fact, it surpassed my expectations, particularly as a musical enthusiast who’s been captivated by Broadway productions for the past two decades. The choreography was simply fantastic, the singing was otherworldly, and the casting was spot-on. Every aspect was executed so skillfully and thoughtfully that I felt completely drawn into the magical world of Oz.
My sole issue lies in the film’s lighting at times, which I believe could have been improved. Yet, overall, the movie was exceptionally well done. Now, let me explain why this is relevant to this specific scene… Here’s how it ties in.
The Scene At The Party Really Hit Harder For Me
Essentially, Wicked: Part 1 largely mirrors the initial act of the Wicked musical. While it’s been a while since I last watched it, there were numerous instances where events unfolded as I had anticipated. One such instance was the Ozdust Ballroom scene, which marks a significant turning point in the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda.
In Broadway musicals, you should know there’s a lot of music, which isn’t necessarily a drawback. However, due to the very essence of musicals, we often don’t have enough time to delve into scenes and fully observe actors’ expressions to grasp their emotions. As a result, the impact of certain moments might not be as profound for us. That was my experience with the stage production.
In the story, the bond between Glinda and Elphaba strengthens unexpectedly, leading us swiftly into the powerful ballad “Popular.” However, the cinematic portrayal offers a more immersive experience as we witness and sense the moment intimately. We observe Elphaba’s entrance donning the hat gifted by Glinda, noticing her initial hesitation before standing firm amidst their biting words. Additionally, we catch a glimpse of Glinda’s remorseful expression and body language, adding depth to their complex relationship.
The depth of emotion conveyed solely by their eyes surpasses anything I had previously imagined.
Cynthia Erivo Perfectly Captured Elphaba’s Trauma, Including Her Tears
For quite some time now, I’ve been captivated by Cynthia Erivo’s talent, a feeling that ignited during her tenure in the Broadway musical “The Color Purple.” This timeless story has since been beautifully reimagined on screen, boasting an exceptional cast. However, it’s high time that she takes on another significant role like in “Wicked: Part 1,” as her vocal prowess is truly exceptional, and her acting in this particular scene left me in tears.
Having experienced bullying due to my appearance, I could deeply relate to Elphaba and have always done so. Yet, Erivo managed to portray not just Elphaba’s determination to overcome the mockery but also the hidden pain and emotional scars from the years of mistreatment she endured, not only from her peers but also from her family.
In that moment, as Glinda rises to defend her and starts dancing beside her, tears stream down her face. The soft words of comfort, “It’s okay,” from Glinda are especially poignant because they were just what she required. Though she might never have expressed it verbally, deep within her heart, she longed for someone, anyone, to take her side. And there was Glinda, standing by her side.
Ariana Grande’s Shift In Feelings Towards Elphaba Was So Well-Done
And that’s another thing – Ariana Grande as Glinda was the perfect choice.
For quite some time now, I’ve admired Ariana Grande, long before her rise to pop stardom. Yet, portraying Glinda resonated deeply within me, seemingly altering my brain chemistry, making me fundamentally different than I was prior to witnessing her performance. Frankly, I can’t fathom anyone else delivering the role as beautifully as she did, save for Kristin Chenoweth herself.
In this scene, the shift in Glinda’s viewpoint towards Elphaba is beautifully portrayed, surpassing my expectations with the depth of emotion displayed. Idina Menzel truly amazed me with her versatile acting skills. When Glinda decides to take a stand, it becomes evident in her eyes and a subtle smile spreads across her face as they start dancing together.
Later on, others start participating too, and the shared moment of emotional exposure blossoms into unbridled happiness among these fresh acquaintances – a transformation brought about by Glinda’s kindness. What a touching scene!
I Hope That Part 2 Further Expands On Moments Like This
My deepest hope for the upcoming “Wicked: Part 2” is that it builds upon the foundation laid by the first film, delving deeper into pivotal scenes just as it did before.
In stage performances, it’s easy to overlook such poignant moments due to our intense focus on the music. However, when granted the opportunity to delve deeper into a scene, it can blossom into something breathtakingly beautiful, like this instance. I eagerly anticipate that Part 2 will carry on in this vein.
To be candid, I truly wish that’s how it is. If I’m being honest, the second act of “Wicked” doesn’t stand out as much for me as the first one (apart from “For Good”), so I sincerely hope they come up with a way to enrich this story even more, making us enjoy two outstanding musical movies in a row. Only the future will reveal the truth.
Currently, all that remains is to patiently anticipate the upcoming movie releases in 2025. However, considering my history of bad fortune, it seems as if the passage of time will feel incredibly sluggish.
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2024-11-28 00:07