ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Wicked Review

by Sam Fields

For those who have not been able to see the film, Wicked has become a global sensation. The film is an adaptation of the renowned 20-year-running play. Those who wish to have a night out sometimes take a movie for its face value, but like me, many have picked up on some underlying messages that make the film even more enjoyable.

The main character, Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo was born green and forced to put up with hostilities and bullying from the children and even her father. Glinda, played by Ariana Grande becomes Elphaba’s contemporary in university at Shiz. Starting as enemies, they slowly get to know each other and become well-acquainted friends. 

In the school’s orientation, there was applause for the last remaining animal professors. Elphaba was one of many who had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Dillamond, a goat who made his students aware of the increasing persecution of animals in Oz. One day, Dillamond is taken away sparking great anger in Elphaba. As a result, Elphaba’s dream had always been to meet the wizard and when she finally meets him in the Emerald City, she discovers his plot to return animals “to their rightful place of domesticity.” This sparks great anger, and Elphaba decides to turn down the wizard’s offer.

Being exposed to such disenfranchisement her entire life is Elphaba’s story. The story of Wicked can make one's mind travel to different calamities in our history when power has gone unchecked and people don’t stand for what is in favor of basic humanity and humility. 

To me, I interpreted this story as one of being that when a group of people seem different and unfamiliar to others, it is decided by a powerful entity that they no longer deserve to exist. Imagine how isolating and dehumanizing that is, having to go off on one's own just to survive and losing the support of those around you. There is no solace in that way of life. 

Historically, African Americans were forced into shackles on ships to become slaves in the New World, Jewish people were stripped from their homes, had their towns burned down, and placed in death camps. Even today, we see similar dehumanization in Sudan and China because a group is different.

Wicked should serve to us all as a call to action. To take our voices and make people feel welcome. To stand up for what is right morally and what connects to our basic principles as a human family. No one should be afraid to hide their identities just because they are different. Even if we stand alone just as Elphaba did, let’s do it with dignity and strength. If we can just try then, perhaps “nothing can bring me (us) down.”