Wicked, the iconic Broadway musical based off of Gregory Maguire’s novel. This musical, recently adapted into a movie shown in theaters across the United States, tells the story of Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch. Their friendship explores multiple aspects such as what it’s like to be misunderstood, jealousy and rivalry, and how this shaped them into the characters we know!
Some common themes we see within this film are friendship and rivalry, identity and acceptance, good vs. evil, social injustices, and the power of choice! Elphaba, the wicked witch of the West, and the main character faces a rough journey of self-discovery and acceptance. After being born with green skin, she faces discrimination and lifelong bullying from her peers. Throughout the entirety of the musical Elphaba seeks acceptance in those around her and strives for a sense of belonging which also embraces her boldness even when everyone is put against her.
The movie itself put a big emphasis on Friendship and the importance of support through those around me. Even though the girls face a complex relationship, Elphaba and Glinda’s rivalry evolves. This is one of the larger themes of the movie, it really shows how true friendship preserves regardless of societal opinions and prejudice. Even though their relationship didn’t start off on the best terms, they still found a way to exist in harmony and find a bond.
Social injustice, like stated before is an unfortunate but very real problem that Elphaba is faced with within the story. People judge her for being green, as if she has some sort of control in the matter. They make stereotypes and assumptions about her life. The treatment she undergoes alongside the animals is very disheartening. The animals within the story are also looked down upon even though they are considered normal citizens in the Oz universe. This movie really does confront marginalized groups and real-world social issues. This can resonate with certain audiences and parallels can be seen between the world of Oz and their personal experiences.
