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The best scene in Wicked doesn’t have any singing in it

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The best scene in Wicked doesn't have any singing in it

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of witnessing “Wicked” on the big screen, and let me tell you, it lived up to all the hype! The movie has been a massive success, raking in an impressive $164 million worldwide, surpassing its production budget of $145 million. However, I’m guessing there’s still some ground to cover before it recoups the marketing costs (I bet they pulled out all the stops for this one). All in all, it’s clear that “Wicked” is a hit!

I truly enjoyed the film. While musicals aren’t always highly regarded in cinema, “Wicked” proved to be an exception. The movie masterfully brought Stephen Schwartz’s musical to life, with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande portraying Elphaba and Glinda brilliantly, respectively, as they became the Wicked Witch of the West and Good Witch of the North in the future.

Navigating through musical films such as Sweeney Todd, Les Misérables, and Joker: Folie à Deux, which seem to overemphasize acting-focused performers who struggle with singing, made it exceptionally rejuvenating to listen to Erivo and Grande, both skilled vocalists, deliver the songs in Wicked as they were intended. Interestingly enough, the most impactful scene in Wicked wasn’t a musical one; instead, it was when these characters reached an understanding, a moment devoid of singing altogether.

The situation seems reminiscent of a sitcom scenario, revolving around a chain of mounting misconceptions. College roommates Elphaba and Glinda initially have an antagonistic relationship. Envious of Elphaba’s natural magical prowess, Glinda perceives her as a snobbish know-it-all, while Elphaba views Glinda as a shallow, malicious individual. In a vindictive move, Glinda deceives Elphaba by gifting her an unpopular pointy black hat and then inviting her to a dance at the Ozdust Ballroom, fully aware that the hat is outdated and will subject Elphaba to public humiliation. (I found the hat quite stylish myself, but I’m unfamiliar with Oz’s fashion trends, so let’s focus on the plot.)

At approximately the same moment, Glinda assists in matching Nessarose, Elphaba’s wheelchair-bound sister, with a boy she admires. This action was primarily taken by Glinda to discourage the boy from pursuing her, but it brings joy to Nessarose and earns Elphaba’s gratitude. In return for this kindness, Elphaba persuades those in charge to let Glinda attend an elite sorcery seminar – something Glinda has long desired. However, Glinda discovers about this act of generosity only after Elphaba has already arrived at the Ozdust wearing a hat that others mock as unflattering. Despite the laughter, Elphaba remains composed and chooses to dance alone rather than responding to their ridicule. Feeling remorseful, Glinda joins her. Since Glinda is well-liked and attractive, everyone else follows suit to avoid missing out on the latest craze. The social crisis is thus averted, and the two depart the dance as new friends.

If I hadn’t held back my emotional tears in the theater, I’m sure the people nearby would have found my noises peculiar. As a person who is deeply moved by unexpected acts of kindness portrayed in films and television, Glinda’s transformation from being cold-hearted to experiencing guilt and ultimately opening her heart to something new resonated with me deeply. This scene from “Wicked” is particularly significant for me because it represents a pivotal moment in the relationship between Elphaba and Glinda, and I believe this scene may even be more crucial than the climactic “Defying Gravity” song at the end of the movie, as it sets the tone for their connection.

In this scene, there’s no dialogue, just a dance performance. It’s less flamboyant than the film’s other musical numbers might suggest, but that’s not quite accurate. The dance is meticulously planned and takes place in a whimsical dance floor where chatty squirrels act as drummers. This scene, like the rest of the movie, is full of camp and sincerity. Despite its fantastical nature, it retains a certain authenticity that might be lost if it were more grounded in reality. The musical format allows for a raw expression of emotion, and while overdoing it can lead to cringe-worthy moments, when done well, it results in the kind of heartfelt, crowd-pleasing melodrama that movies could benefit from having more of.

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2024-11-26 01:41

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