With emotional storytelling, stunning visuals and powerful performances, “Wicked: For Good” closes the two-part film series with beauty and confidence. Following the stronger box-office success of part one, the sequel boasts another impressive turnout with high international sales.
The producers made a concerted effort from the outset to emphasize that the film would not focus on Dorothy as the primary character. Instead they have decided to focus on the friendship of Elphaba and Glinda, which was the basis for much of the original Broadway story. The writers lead with themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and identity, which ultimately shape the world of Oz before the arrival of Dorothy.
Part one provided the audience with the secretive truths and hidden politics in the Land of Oz. By contrast, “For Good” immerses audiences in the film’s emotional resolution. Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba shows great strength and vulnerability, while Ariana Grande as Glinda has warmth, charm and unexpected depth of character. The actresses’ on-screen chemistry showcases the movie’s main message, which is the power of friendship. They continue to influence each other’s life after they are on different paths.
The strongest aspect of the movie is the music. Fans have complimented the emotion of “No Good Deed,” the ballad “As Long As You Are Mine,” and certainly, the emotional high point of the film, “For Good.” Erivo and Grande perform a duet in which they give a grounded sincerity to the piece while still honoring the original Broadway musical performance with a new intimacy as presented in the film.
The reactions to the movie have been mostly positive, but not everyone has been completely satisfied with the film experience. The PG-rated film has drawn some criticism from conservative audiences.
One mom, a devout Christian, went to the movie with her young kids, but was unhappy with what she saw. She left the theaters in the middle of the movie because of an “intimate scene” between characters Elphaba and Fiyero that was trending on social media. The mother said in her social media post that she “would not sit there, and let the movie cast legit spells over me and my family” and that was because she thought that the romantic part of the scene was not appropriate for children.
She also made a point of saying she knew “Wicked” was based on fantasy, but that these scenes were too sensual for children and not something she would have expected. She took her children and left. This caused the mother to face major backlash from fans who loved the movie and thought the film’s intimate scene was mild. Although this one incident is limited to this parent, it does add to the discussion about what parents consider acceptable for their children based on their own opinions and comfort level.
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A number of parents have raised issues with taking their children to see the movie, in light of alarming level of thinness of the actors, which seems to be setting a poor example of a healthy body image. There are some concerns that young people are being exposed to many unrealistic body images within Hollywood, affecting their perception of themselves and others. Many young people begin to think they must look like celebrities, which could lead to eating disorders or unhealthy habits. Though neither the film nor the actors have confirmed any type of disorder, the image itself has raised enough flags for several families. Perhaps the takeaway is that parents and families need to do some research on movies ahead of time.
The arrival of Dorothy does not serve as the main point of the story; instead it is a culmination and transitional point for her character development in the last moments of the film. Rather than focusing on her exclusive arrival, the team has focused on maintaining the original purpose of the Broadway production and allowing Glinda and Elphaba’s story to be heard before Dorothy arrives from the tornado. By maintaining that focus of their story, the film becomes more emotionally driven and stays true to Elpaba’s pursuit of justice, Glinda’s struggle with being a leader, and the bond between them that defines them both.
While the ending is highly respectful to the audience that has supported Wicked as a musical, it provides reinterpretation through cinema. The touches of emotion really work for the film. During moments like “For Good,” the film shows its emotional depth and character’s development. In this particular scene we see both Elphaba and Glinda’s faces express regret, acceptance, and their feeling of gratitude towards each other. The character development is smooth as each character’s growth unfolds throughout the film rather than sudden change. Their growth is chapped by their shared experiences, allowing their final decisions to feel earned and emotionally natural rather than forced. There is a completion to the plot with a lot of feelings.
“Wicked: For Good” honors the musical while also creating a new standard in film-making, as a tribute to the original. With its strong box office returns, a strong singing performance by the stars, and a concentration on Glinda and Elphaba’s story, the movie delivers an important message: people are in our lives for a reason and sometimes for good.
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