REVIEW: “Wicked” – Jon M. Chu Adapts Act One of Beloved Stage Musical to Astoundifying Effect11/20/2024 by Jacob Jones For nearly twenty years, Wicked has been one of the theater world’s most popular and enduring productions. People come from all over just to catch a glimpse of the now iconic story on the stage, with all its bombast and belt-worthy musical numbers carrying the audience through its jam-packed three hour odyssey about the Wicked Witch of the West. Multiple Tonys (though not the big one), countless cameos from the original stars in nearly half of all musical-related media still produced, and a cultural staying power thanks to both the books (and Best Picture-nominated film) from which it pulls the bulk of its inspiration have given the musical mega-hit a sort of untouchable quality when it comes to cinematic adaptations. To pull this off would be an act of defying gravity in itself. And yet, in watching the film play out the first act, one might never have suspected the story’s finding its origins in any other medium.
The central conceit, for those unfamiliar, is an origin tale centered on the iconic Wizard of Oz villain, the Wicked Witch of the West, whose name is Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo). Following a traumatic home birth which saw her father scorn her for having green skin, she grows up ostracized from her community and is considered a shame to her family, to which her parents have added a paraplegic sibling named Nessarose (Marissa Bode). Partly raised by some of the family’s talking animal servants, partly by their parents, life for Elphaba is a constant struggle of inward repression and outward temperament. After her sister is eventually accepted to Shiz University, the magical wizarding school, Elphaba is tasked by her father with looking after her, and by an accidental show of magic, is also enrolled at the school at the request of Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). It is here where she meets Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera), a popular girl with all manner of privilege, and the two begin a love-hate relationship that would ultimately come to a crossroads after a fateful meeting with the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) himself. Suffice it to say, my expectations for Wicked were tempered to say the least. From its washed-out, practically colorless trailers, to the introduction of an unlikely popstar not known for theater as one of the story’s central figures, if not a tad uninspired. Would it look like every other MCU or Disney project coming out now, with their copious amounts of poorly-rendered green screen and overuse of soundstages, or would it rise to the occasion as a cinematic work in its own right? After all, both of director Jon M. Chu’s previous films took place in reality; they don’t exist in fantasy worlds. Would his direction translate well to the demands of that kind of film? Well, dear reader, after a twenty-year wait, I’m surprised and delighted to say that not only is Wicked a more-or-less faithful adaptation of the beloved stage musical’s first act, but a genuinely cinematic translation of the story, complete with everything it needs to feel as though this translation was not only necessary, but crucial to understanding just how grand the audience was always meant to feel watching it. I was already familiar with the story of Wicked prior to this film’s release, as most of its core audience is likely to be, and yet I remained shocked at just how often the film found new ways to surprise me even amidst my familiarity. Impressively-crafted from its very first frames as the overture soars overhead, the grand scale of the film begins to overtake the screen rather quickly, the camera following a pack of flying monkeys over a waterfall and into a wonderful world full of color and stunning production design that feels as physical and lifelike as it could ever be. Even the color-grading from the trailers – which still has some issues in both directions depending on which scene one is watching – was far less obtrusive than I expected, and the direction from Jon M. Chu feels as grandiose as the world of Oz is, the cinematography rising to meet the occasion and capturing not only the scale of the production, but the monumentality of having successfully pulled this off. Even some of the more noticeable soundstage sequences are chock full of tangible set designs that feel as though one could step into them at any time, and the visual effects on the animal characters look just right without being over-reliant on realism. There are a few instances where the film falters in some of its visual fidelity (not every scene’s blue screen effects translate well to smaller-scale moments), but by and large, the film is a stunning display of incredible craftsmanship worthy of multiple Oscars should the Academy have any extra to give out. And that same quality extends to nearly every performance the film contains. Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage’s vocal turn as Dr. Dillamond – everyone came to play for their parts. Truthfully, the only performance that doesn’t quite impress is Jeff Goldblum’s turn as the Wizard; he’s more or less playing himself as a wizard, rather than transforming into the part, but given the Wizard’s characterization in this story, it’s something I’m willing to look past. (He’s still Jeff Goldblum after all.) In true Wicked fashion, though, no one outpaces the two superstars at the story’s center. Both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande (credited here as Ariana Grande-Butera) not only turn in their best screen work to date, but unlock new levels of performance for themselves, each leaning on each other’s ability so that neither performance can feel or even remotely be considered inessential to the other. Erivo is particularly impressive here, able to pull of both notes of meekness and steely resolve within the same expression and carry her songs vocally with an unbelievable confidence in her pitch, even when the story calls for her character to be distinctly insecure. She manages all the right notes at such a rate that there’s no need for showing off range, and yet when it happens, I remain captivated by what she’s able to do with her face alone. The biggest surprise though, it turns out, is Ariana Grande-Butera’s absolutely magnetic turn as Glinda the Good Witch. I couldn’t imagine not predicting her for an Oscar nomination for this part. Following the overture and the beginning of “No One Mourns the Wicked,” she arrives in Munchkinland with an already grieved look on her face; those familiar with the show will know the origins of this look within the story, but it’s nonetheless a uniquely impressive skill the pop star pulls out in the film’s opening moments. In every close-up, every medium, every wide shot, one can see a quiet sadness behind her eyes as she holds back some underplayed tears in assuring the people of Munchkinland that the Wicked Witch is, in fact, dead. It was somewhat already a given that Grande-Butera would shine in the musical/poppier sequences in the film – her pop star persona off-camera is no small help in that department – but it’s in these quieter moments away from all the pomp and circumstance where one can see that she truly has that screen-worthy X factor that every actor so deeply covets. Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised to see her win her first Oscar for how good she is here. There are other elements of Wicked I’m dying to discuss here before wrapping this all up, but they may have to wait for a spoiler review before they can be appropriately addressed. Suffice it to say, this is not simply one of the best movies of the year, but the best movie musical we’ve been treated to in quite some time. Fans of the Broadway show will love it, musical skeptics will at least like it (I think), and Wizard of Oz fans all over the world will be delighted to find themselves in that fantasy world once more. I can’t wait to return to Oz when Wicked: Part Two opens next year. I’m giving “Wicked” a 9/10. - The Friendly Film Fan
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Willy Wonka is back! By Jacob Thomas Jones As one hears the opening notes of Wonka’s “Pure Imagination” theme at the start of Paul King’s prequel odyssey, the lyricized feeling of trepidation sets in. Has King bitten off more than he can chew? Do we really need a prequel to one of the most beloved films of all time? Can any living person capture the exuberance, the idiosyncratic energies of Gene Wilder’s wonderful, whacky chocolatier? There have been so many curiosities as to why this film was made in the first place, what its purpose is, and how it might go about achieving that purpose, not to mention the metrics by which that success is measured. Plus, there’s the added pressure of King’s cinematic legacy; can he make something as emotionally rewarding and wonderful as his two Paddington films, whose fans (of which I count myself a devoted one) are so taken with his particular brand of storytelling? Soon, however, the initial trepidation dissipates, reforming into comfort once Timothée Chalamet’s particular version of our titular protagonist begins to interact with those around him in the film’s opening musical number, “A Hatful of Dreams.” There’s whimsy, there’s fun, there’s an acute sense of what specific brand of comedy pairs well with a story like this, and when best to utilize it, even if some jokes don’t land the same as others. Above all, King fosters a familial sense of togetherness, an understanding that this film is for everyone willing to give it a chance, that no one would be left behind for not following things too closely. There’s no rush to the finish line, nor is there a sense that the film is trying to be any more profound than it needs to be. This a movie for families in every sense of the word, and not one note or line reading betrays that tone. Inside Chalamet’s performance – as paired with the director’s vision – there are all the great things about the character of Willy Wonka: enthusiasm, ingenuity, compassion, and an emotional connection to his renowned creations (the ingenuity in particular comes into play quite a lot in this story). These are all brought to life with a new and infectious warmth the likes of which only Paul King’s direction has been able to muster in quite this way, operating outside of the medium of animation. There’s a charisma about Chalamet’s Willy Wonka that one can’t help but be swept up in, as evidenced by his first scene selling chocolate just outside the Gallery Gourmet, a crowd of onlookers taken with his energy, buying every bit into the man he says he is. Any doubt one has about Chalamet in the part is quickly gone, and there’s a feeling one gets that no other living actor could have possibly taken on this mantle and done with it what he does, which extends to the film’s musical numbers. The music itself, while not as memorable or lyrically impressive as one may hope for a musical centered around this eccentric character, informs the story for about the first half of the film, later on mostly retreating as things become more serious and our protagonist reaches the narrative climax. One gets the sense that even if a Best Original Song Oscar nomination is probably out of the cards here, a future stage adaptation is very much not. The songs are fun nonetheless, and in the moment, it does seem as though they could get stuck in one’s head with a couple of viewings of the film. Where King’s true genius lies, however, is in the side characters he puts into his films, characters with particular quirks and unexpectedly funny personality traits which inform their place in the story being told without overwhelming the moments they share together. The people Willy Wonka meets – while not entirely fully fleshed out – have their own dimensionality, their own purposes, their own fears and nostalgias. (Calah Lane as Noodle is especially notable in this department. It’s her connection with Willy that drives the film’s main line of charm.) This is as much a movie about found family as it is following one’s dreams with that family’s help, and King’s direction is assured enough to never make a false step in that particular element of the story. There are a few performances that overdo it a bit, chiefly in the villains of the film, and in some moments set in the scrub house Willy Wonka stays in while selling chocolate. But, given the target demographic here, and the quirky nature with which the story plays out, it’s far less bothersome than it otherwise would be, and the absurdism sprinkled in lends itself well to some of the film’s running gags. As for Hugh Grant’s Oompa Loompa character, he is in the film far less than one might expect given how heavily he’s features in the marketing, so if you are someone aching for Hugh Grant musical numbers, that element of the film may let you down a bit. All in all, Wonka’s strain of comfort film is sure to be a fallback for a new generation, buoyed by wonder, charm, and themes of familial warmth. Paul King ties yet another notch into his victory belt, having successfully pulled off three of these family films in a row, all of which are some of the best films of their years, and all of which are bound to have great replay value, their emotional cores tugging just enough at one’s heart that yes, you may tear up once or twice along the way. (I certainly did.) There’s no longer any doubt: Timothée Chalamet was absolutely the right choice to play this part, and though there is no definitive information on whether this is the beginning of a franchise play or simply a one-off, I would happily welcome more of his Willy Wonka to the silver screen as soon as he is ready to put the coat back on. I’m giving “Wonka” an 8/10
- The Friendly Film Fan In the Heights was directed by John M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) and is a feature film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical by producer and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda (who also created Hamilton). It centers on the neighborhood of Washington Heights, New York, and the Latino community that lives there, particularly one Usnavi, as played by Anthony Ramos. As richer, whiter people move into the neighborhood, many of the people Usnavi has known all his life are preparing to leave, whether to move themselves or their businesses to different neighborhoods, sell those businesses entirely, or – in Usnavi’s case – leave the country to return to the Dominican Republic from whence he emigrated. The salon ladies that work in his neighborhood have been priced out to move to the Bronx, the girl he’s crushing on is hightailing it downtown to pursue a fashion career, and Mr. Rosario (who owns the traffic dispatch) is struggling to hold on so his daughter Nina can finish college. In fact, Nina might be the only person actually running towards home instead of away from it. In short, the block he lives on is quickly disappearing, and it won’t be long before the life he knows is gone forever. But, with a song in their hearts and the future on their minds, Usnavi and his community may just be able to leave their own stamp on the neighborhood of Washington Heights, wrapped in little details, to both build and preserve the legacy of those who came before. This film also stars Melissa Barerra, Leslie Grace, Corey Hawkins, Gregory Diaz IV, Olga Merediz, Jimmy Smits, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Stephanie Beatriz, Dascha Polanco, Lin Manuel-Miranda, Christopher Jackson, and Marc Anthony.
When I first saw In the Heights a little over a month ago at a Mother’s Day screening, I’ll admit to having felt fairly underwhelmed by it. My initial thoughts were that it was far too long, the main plot didn’t really kick in until about halfway through, and then it took forever to wrap up. Plus, the music wasn’t nearly as dynamic or orchestral as I’d been led to believe by the film’s high-energy marketing and trailers, feeling more like the initial idea of what Lin-Manuel Miranda would eventually do with Hamilton, rather than feeling like it belonged in its own story. Some of those thoughts – in part – still hold true in fact (though only partially). The midpoint being treated as the emotional climax of the film does make its placement a bit weird, structurally, and still makes the film itself feel a little bit too long for the story it’s attempting to tell. However, upon my second viewing, just yesterday, most – if not all – of my other thoughts on the film became secondary to what I experienced sitting in a giant movie theater with a big screen and even bigger sound. The initial issues I had with it were notable, but insignificant compared to the sheer joy and energy on the screen. I felt a connection to every character, I understood the point of nearly every song, I enjoyed every single performance, I was fascinated and enamored with absolutely every single element of the costume and production design, and even if the film was a bit too long, I didn’t care. I just enjoyed getting to experience it. It’s not often a second watch assuages my doubts about a first (Quo Vadis, Aida? notwithstanding), but for that to happen here was a real treat. In the Heights isn’t light on plot because it doesn’t have a story to tell; it’s light because the story it’s telling isn’t about any one character or singular event or journey. It’s about the whole community, about how it was there, how it disappeared, how it’s still kept alive in memory and legacy, by the kind of stamp an entire people can put on a place so that no one forgets about them. I think I missed that the first time, but whilst watching it this time around, that element stuck with me the most. From Usnavi’s dynamic introduction to the world he lives in to the struggles of the people within it, to the final revelations of just what happened to them all, I genuinely felt a connection I couldn’t feel the first time because I was too focused on analyzing whether it was particularly well-shot or well-directed. (And, to be fair, while neither of those elements stick out amongst the wealth of other great things in this movie, they’re good enough that I can’t speak out against them either.) This is a dynamic portrait of the joy of a Latinx neighborhood on fire, and every element of the story is positioned not to make one person the center of it, but to make the neighborhood the center. Everyone, from Usnavi to Vanessa to Nina to Abuela, to Benny, to the salon ladies, has a place in this story. While that may sound like the film stretches its stay a bit, that stay is entirely worthwhile to get the whole picture. This is the story told by the finished photo on top of the box, not just the one puzzle piece that fits in a particular place. To be true, I am not of Latin descent, so I will never know the full joy or disappointment a Latinx person could feel at the outcome of this film, but if I could feel such a connection to this little block in just my second viewing of a single film, I can only imagine what having this beautifully-told story that refuses to engage in stereotypes could do for people who are. Of course, the music is all brilliant, filled to the brim with clever lyricism (plus mixes between Spanish and English), catchy instrumentation, switches between musical-style singing and rapping that keep nearly every number fresh, and a whole lot of heart, but we already knew that. The impressive part is how the actors in the film manage to shoulder it all without a single moment feeling false despite the occasional dub not quite coming out right. (I’m as big a fan of Les Misérables as anyone, but let’s stop pretending that the sound mixing in Tom Hooper’s 2012 adaptation is particularly great, or that making the actors sing live was all that clever of an idea; dubbing is the way to go for movie musicals, especially physically strenuous ones.) I’m not sure the performance of Anthony Ramos ever blew my mind or even impressed me by any stretch, but he’s perfect for this part, shouldering so much of the story’s greatest weight, it’s a wonder his performance never once quivers at all. (And, of course, shout-out to Lin-Manuel as the Piragua guy. Great stuff.) There’s never really a “moment” for him outside of the intro, but given how much he actually has to do otherwise, that’s something I can live with. The true MVPs of the film, however, despite Anthony Ramos’ ostensible lead, are the women of the block: Melissa Barrera, Leslie Grace, and especially Olga Merediz as Abuela Claudia. (Merediz in particular even has a decent shot at a Supporting Actress nomination if the studio plays its FYC campaign right.) Their performances, along with that of Corey Hawkins – who is quickly becoming a musical secret weapon – are what I kept coming back to every time I thought about the ones I loved the most amongst a host of great ones. Each of their stories is radically different, yet they are all tied together, and the depths to which they are allowed to go should land them some awards attention regardless of the sort of competition they might run into come fall. In the Heights is a film born of joy and legacy, of pride and perseverance, dare I say it, of Paciencia Y Fe. It is so clearly a labor of love for everyone involved that one can’t help but connect to it at some point in those first several minutes. If you’re just going into it fresh, without ever having known about the musical (as I did the first time), you may find yourself underwhelmed, but trust me, give it another shot, on the biggest screen with the best sound that you can possibly get. This movie demands a theatrical experience and supports the need for it every step of the way. Whether it will have legs enough to meaningfully compete is anyone’s guess, but without a doubt in my mind, this thing will be at the Oscars (hopefully for Costume Design, Production Design, and Sound), and is more than likely the first film of 2021 to have a legitimate shot at landing a nomination for Best Picture of the Year. See it. I’m giving “In the Heights” a 9.3/10 - The Friendly Film Fan |
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