BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: ‘Wicked’ Movie Deep Dive Review

Episode Information

• Title: BroadwayRadio
• Host/Author: BroadwayRadio
• Episode Title: ‘Wicked’ Movie Deep Dive Review
• Release Date: November 29, 2024
• Description: Broadway's Premier Podcasts

Introduction

In the November 29, 2024 episode of BroadwayRadio, the hosts delve into an in-depth review of the highly anticipated Wicked movie adaptation. Skipping the usual advertisements and introductory segments, the conversation focuses exclusively on the critical aspects of the film, analyzing performances, direction, adaptation choices, and overall execution.

Initial Impressions and Overall Ratings

The discussion kicks off with the hosts sharing their immediate reactions to the Wicked movie.

• Fiero praises the film, stating, “I think we can safely say this is a masterpiece. I think John M. Chu absolutely should be trusted with more musical movie adaptations” [00:55]. He rates it four and a half out of five stars on Letterboxd.

• Grace concurs, describing the adaptation as “excellent and exemplary” in translating the stage musical’s first act to the screen [02:07].

• Matt expresses slight reservations, noting a “disconnect emotionally” compared to the stage version, despite recognizing the film's quality [02:52].

Overall, the consensus is that the movie is a strong adaptation, poised to attract both theater enthusiasts and new audiences.

Acting and Performances

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the performances of the lead actors, Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda.

• Grace highlights Ariana Grande’s dedication: “She loves the text, she loves the role… Glinda is hers” [05:32]. She appreciates Grande’s commitment to the operatic flair intended by Stephen Schwartz, despite some critiques.

• Fiero offers a nuanced perspective on Cynthia Erivo’s portrayal:

  "I felt that Cynthia was not set up for success in building the character of Elphaba in this way... It's just not executed in the introduction of this young woman... They robbed her of her initial optimism." [06:33]

  He criticizes the film's handling of Elphaba’s character development, feeling it lacked the initial hopefulness that is pivotal in the stage version.

• Matt adds that while Ariana Grande's performance might not align perfectly with traditional vocal expectations for Glinda, her portrayal remains heartfelt and true to the source material [05:49].

Notable Quotes:

• Fiero: “They robbed her of it. I thought it was a huge mistake” [09:33]
• Matt: “I don't think anybody who is not obsessively paying attention to that... noticed” [06:11]

Direction and Adaptation Choices

The hosts delve into the directorial decisions made by John M. Chu and how the adaptation process impacted the film.

• Grace praises the expansion of certain scenes and character motivations but points out that the film doesn’t evoke the same emotional depth as the stage musical [02:29].

• Fiero critiques the direction, suggesting that key character arcs were not fully explored or executed effectively:

  “The whole bit about Wicked is the subversion of expectation of what the Wicked Witch of the West is... Cynthia, to no fault of her own, was not set up for success in building the character of Elphaba in this way.” [06:33]

• Matt and Grace discuss the structural impact of splitting the musical into two films, pondering whether this decision affected the narrative flow and character development [16:37].

Notable Quotes:

• Grace: “It was a little off-putting... I never felt connected to either Glinda or Elphaba” [11:14]
• Fiero: “I don't think it's writing. I think it's direction” [17:15]

Supporting Cast and Cameos

The episode also examines the performances of the supporting cast and the clever inclusion of cameos.

• Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande receive high praise, but the hosts also discuss other notable performances:

  • Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible is lauded for her elegance, though Fiero feels her character lacked depth: “She didn’t get to have a turn... It was all the adults. No one’s shocked when this woman turns” [13:53].

  • Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard is appreciated for adding a unique flair, though Fiero laments that Goldblum’s distinct style may overshadow the character's intended role [15:30].

  • Peter Dinklage’s voice work as Dr. Dillamond receives specific commendation for adding gravitas to the role [19:33].

• The hosts also celebrate the meaningful cameos from actors like Kristen Wiig and Idina Menzel, noting that their contributions enrich the narrative and provide deeper insights into the story [21:10].

Notable Quotes:

• Fiero: “Peter Dinklage offering voice acting for the ages as Dr. Dillamond” [19:39]
• Grace: “They weren't just little throwaways… These cameos are monumentally important” [21:10]

Adaptation and Script Analysis

The conversation touches on the adaptation process, particularly the involvement of Winnie Holzman, the original book’s author, in the screenplay.

• Matt and Grace discuss how the screenplay remains true to Holtzman’s vision, despite some creative liberties taken in the film’s execution [16:35].

• Fiero emphasizes that the writing remains strong but critiques the direction, suggesting that the actors were not adequately guided to fully realize their character arcs [17:15].

• The hosts debate whether the film's decision to split into two parts diluted the emotional and narrative impact of the story [16:37].

Notable Quotes:

• Grace: “Winnie Holtzman wrote the screenplay for this. She wrote it, and then somebody else took another pass at it” [17:04]
• Fiero: “They robbed her of it. I thought it was a huge mistake” [09:33]

Cameos and Easter Eggs

A highlight of the episode is the discussion on the various cameos and Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the film.

• Matt appreciates the meaningful integration of cameos, where actors like Kristen Wiig and Idina Menzel contribute to pivotal plot points rather than mere background appearances [21:38].

• Fiero adds that voiceovers, such as Jeff Goldblum’s repeated “Omaha,” provide humorous and memorable moments [21:46].

• Grace points out additional cameos, including Alice Fern as Elphaba’s mother and Sharon D. Clarke as Dulcibear, enhancing the film’s depth and connection to the stage production [22:19].

Notable Quotes:

• Fiero: “The voiceover is Jeff Goldblum just saying Omaha three different times. It’s very funny” [21:38]
• Matt: “Oh, it's almost like he's a wizard. That's Winnie Holzman” [21:53]

Final Thoughts and Conclusions

As the episode wraps up, the hosts offer their final reflections on the Wicked movie adaptation.

• Fiero expresses immense gratitude for the film, highlighting its unique place in the Wizard of Oz franchise and its potential impact:

  “This is obviously turned up to a million levels because it's excellent writing. ... I am so grateful. I'll see it 100 more times.” [24:02]

• Grace shares plans to watch the movie multiple times, anticipating its longevity in theaters and eventual release on streaming platforms [25:32].

• Matt and Grace stress the importance of media literacy, defending the film’s narrative choices against negative reviews that misunderstood key plot elements [23:18].

Notable Quotes:

• Fiero: “This is the largest franchise of all time, like, globally. And now they have made it into an incredible film” [24:02]
• Grace: “Media literacy is dead” [23:54]

Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with the hosts inviting listeners to share their thoughts on the Wicked movie via BroadwayRadio's social media channels and hinting at future discussions and reviews.

• Grace mentions plans to watch the movie multiple times with family, emphasizing her enthusiasm and dedication to the franchise [25:52].

• Final Quote:

  Galinda: “We are done presenting the absolute factual story of our wonderful wizard of Oz, starring the Emerald City.” [26:49]

Conclusion

The BroadwayRadio episode on the Wicked movie offers a comprehensive and passionate analysis, balancing praise with constructive criticism. The hosts engage deeply with the film’s strengths—particularly its performances and faithful adaptation—while also addressing areas where the movie deviates from the stage musical’s emotional resonance. Listeners gain valuable insights into the adaptation process, character portrayals, and the film’s place within the broader Wizard of Oz legacy.

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