Additional Coverage:
- ‘Wicked: For Good’ tries too hard to make Ariana Grande the star (businessinsider.com)
“Wicked: For Good” Puts Glinda in the Spotlight, But Elphaba Still Steals the Show
**The much-anticipated sequel to “Wicked,” “Wicked: For Good,” has arrived in theaters, adapting the second act of the beloved Broadway musical. While Cynthia Erivo’s powerful performance as Elphaba remains a highlight, many are noting an increased focus on Ariana Grande’s Glinda, a narrative shift intentionally crafted by director Jon M.
Chu. **
“Wicked: For Good” faced a unique challenge from the start. As the follow-up to last year’s hit and an adaptation of the musical’s shorter second act, it grappled with material often considered less impactful than its predecessor. There’s no equivalent to the heartwarming Ozdust Ballroom dance, the sheer delight of “Popular,” or the electrifying power of Elphaba’s “Defying Gravity.”
Director Jon M. Chu seemingly recognized this, making deliberate efforts to expand the narrative, introduce new songs, create additional backstory, and offer his actors more emotionally charged scenes. However, this re-imagining appears to have disproportionately centered on Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Glinda.
Chu has openly discussed how Grande’s performance inspired him to reshape the sequel, integrating her into musical numbers where she wasn’t originally present and even adding more backstory for her character in reshoots. In Chu’s vision, Glinda emerges as the emotional core of the film.
“In a weird way, she took the reins and I had to follow her and just capture it as much as I could,” Chu shared with The New York Times. Yet, despite Chu’s claims of Grande’s natural magnetism, the film’s emphasis on the Good Witch often feels heavy-handed and deviates from the story’s core themes.
Grande’s Strengths and the Film’s Missteps
Grande garnered significant acclaim in 2024’s “Wicked” for her impressive operatic vocals and comedic timing. In “Wicked: For Good,” she continues to shine brightest when singing and delivering jokes. Her best moments, such as Glinda’s inaugural bubble vehicle test or her attempt to physically confront Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) in Munchkinland, inject much-needed color and lightness into the bleaker elements of Act II, which include unsettling depictions of animal abuse and low-grade body horror.
However, “Wicked: For Good” seems intent on elevating Grande beyond comedic relief or a necessary foil to Erivo’s ethical rebel. Instead, in repeated attempts to justify Glinda’s selfishness as a form of bravery, the film pushes her into the forefront.
The movie frequently lingers on close-up shots of Grande’s tear-streaked face, introduces sentimental flashbacks to Glinda’s childhood (depicting her as showered with love and gifts but still yearning for magic), and gives her a new solo, “The Girl in the Bubble,” positioned as the film’s penultimate musical number.
The placement of “The Girl in the Bubble” suggests it’s meant to be the film’s introspective centerpiece, a tear-jerking moment solidifying Glinda’s heroic journey. While Grande delivers the song with conviction, the tune itself feels somewhat forgettable and struggles to make an impact, especially following Erivo’s breathtaking rendition of “No Good Deed,” which truly serves as the film’s emotional apex.
Erivo: The Undeniable Star
Despite the critical buzz surrounding Grande’s performance, with headlines proclaiming her ownership of the film, many argue that she was never meant to be the primary focus. “Wicked” is fundamentally Elphaba’s story, and both halves of the adaptation rightfully belong to Erivo.
Erivo’s seamless transformation from a naive schoolgirl in the first part to an indignant, powerful sorceress in the second – all while retaining the sensitive heart that makes Elphaba so compelling – is the true acting triumph. In “Wicked: For Good,” she masterfully conveys this duality within a single sequence, shifting between righteous fury and cautious optimism, even as Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard performs “Wonderful.”
Like Grande, Erivo also receives a new solo. Unlike “The Girl in the Bubble,” which rehashes familiar themes about Glinda, Erivo’s “No Place Like Home” is a memorable addition, providing depth and realism to Elphaba’s motivations.
“No Place Like Home” explores Elphaba’s unwavering determination to fight for a future she believes in, despite being an outcast. “Why do I love this place,” she ponders, “that’s never loved me?”
She recognizes Oz as her home, not just a physical location, but “a promise, an idea,” that she wants to help realize. This poignant exploration of a complicated reality resonates deeply, particularly in today’s world.
Ultimately, “Wicked: For Good” rewards Glinda handsomely, reinforcing her privilege and popularity, even beyond the source material. These additions, many argue, betray the story’s core themes, which caution against idolizing those in power. Perhaps, in a meta-commentary, Glinda’s elevation as the savior of Oz, and Grande as the film’s emotional anchor, brings the narrative full circle, echoing the Wizard’s prophetic words to Elphaba: an appealing brand is often easier to sell than reality.
“Wicked: For Good” is now playing in theaters.
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- ‘Wicked: For Good’ tries too hard to make Ariana Grande the star (businessinsider.com)