3. It’s All about Friendship
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Grande is hilariously spectacular as Galinda, a self-absorbed diva whose sole goal in life is to be beautiful, popular, and the center of attention. (“Something is very wrong — I didn’t get my way,” she tells her servants during one scene when she is rejected by a university leader.)
Galinda’s goal is to transform Elphaba into a popular student with style and beauty.
But, in a plot twist, it is Elphaba who ultimately transforms Galinda. The latter begins to shed her shallow ambitions — standing up for the outcast and seeing the worth in others.
The film ends with Elphaba flying away on a broom as Galinda sings, “I hope you’re happy.” It’s a strange sequence for those of us who know the end of the story, but, to be fair, we haven’t yet seen Elphaba’s true evil.
Wicked is a fun musical with only a few speed bumps for families. It’s implied that Elphaba is the result of an adulterous affair between her mother and a man who was not her husband. (We see the two dancing and drinking before the scene cuts away.) The imagery, too, is scarier than that of the classic 1939 film, with the winged monkeys appearing more menacing and lifelike.
Be warned: It’s a film that spans two hours and 40 minutes.
I left the theater ready for the sequel. I’m sure others will feel the same way.
Rated PG for some scary action, thematic material and brief suggestive material.
Entertainment rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Family-friendly rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Discussion questions: What is the origin of evil? In what ways can bullying shape or alter a person’s character and behavior? How do you respond when you encounter someone who is ostracized or excluded? How would Jesus respond?
Photo Credit: ©Universal Pictures/Wicked
