Warning: This article contains spoilers for Wicked.
Wicked is a masterful movie musical adaptation that boasts its own soundtrack of breathtaking Broadway songs, but uniquely interacts with one of the most famous songs in cinematic history. Wicked follows Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, who is initially a very idealistic person, despite being treated unkindly her whole life because of her green skin. She wants to be liked by people and do good in the world; in some ways, her optimism is rewarded by her friendship with Glinda, who is Elphaba’s first real friend and believes in her absolutely.
Elphaba’s worldview and her plans to fight injustice are drastically changed by the unjust fate of her favorite teacher, Dr. Dillamond, and her finally meeting the Wizard of Oz. Wicked’s ending demonstrates that Elphaba is still very idealistically-minded, believing that one should stand their ground rather than make unethical compromises. However, the second act of the musical shows how being labeled as “wicked” eventually gets to Elphaba.
Wicked alludes to “Over the Rainbow” with multiple rainbows throughout the film, including during “No One Mourns the Wicked” and “The Wizard and I”. The rainbows evoke a sense of hope and innocence associated with Dorothy. Wicked also deconstructs the themes of “Over the Rainbow”, but still wishes that they were true.
Elphaba becomes increasingly disillusioned with Oz as she discovers the ugly truths behind its government. She is hardly nihilistic, as she continues to fight for what she believes in and the betterment of her country. As her worldview changes, the film suggests that her becoming less like Dorothy due to circumstance is a tragedy.
Wicked deconstructs the vision of Oz presented in The Wizard of Oz, illustrated by “Over the Rainbow”, as a fallacy. Behind this façade is corruption and cruelty, and the story illustrates the sadness in this reality. Yet, Wicked ultimately adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba and Glinda in the Land of Oz.
