Rendering people speechless is what Wicked is good at. This movie, based on the classic Broadway musical Wicked, brought tears to the eyes of the crowd in a stunning revelation of speechlessness. For those who do not know, did not watch it, and do not like musicals, this review is for you.

I want to start with what Wicked is about. If you are familiar with the story of The Wizard of Oz, you know the story of Dorothy’s journey throughout the land of Oz to defeat the wicked witch of the west with friends she makes along the way. Through the growth of the characters, these heroes eventually defeat the wicked that nobody seems to mourn.

However, Wicked — which was first a book, turned musical, turned movie — explores the past of the story that is so well loved. The story we may not see behind the hero’s journey; the storm behind the calm.

So, when the broadway musical was adapted into the movie it is today, —which only consists of the first part of the whole musical — Jon M. Chu made sure that in his direction, the movie would be as authentic as possible. Each set was real, and CGI was absolutely at a minimum. It goes as far as the nine million tulips planted for just a few shots. And to further keep this authenticity, Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Galinda) opt to sing each of the songs live on set.

You will not understand how powerful that authenticity makes the movie until you truly sit down and watch it. The musical talent is at the highest it can be, and for those who don’t like musicals, I concede because a lot of it is music. However, it is good music. It’s music that conveys the emotion of each character in a way that is necessary, that resonates if you care for it to resonate. Listen to the lyrics, and their intricacy, and instead of just a song, you will get the continued story.

Now, diving into the beautiful complexities of this movie, it’s impressively wrought with a lot of pressing and controversial issues. Discrimination, the celebration of death, lack of empathy and understanding, authoritative manipulation, friendship and betrayal, family dynamics, and more. The most obvious of these is the discrimination that the movie portrays over Elphaba, who is green skinned since birth. Her mother, you found out, cheated on Elphaba’s father and “wickedness” is thus thrust upon that poor child.

Her love and her worth are all defined by the color of her skin. Elphaba, who is played by a black actress, adds to this authenticity. The fact that Erivo sings everything live and got her

skin painted green every day instead of opting for the easy CGI that she could have added to the authenticity. The hard work, pain, tears, and love that went into the performance subconsciously is evidence and adds to all of the emotion of every time the character is on screen, and every time she cries, and every time she sings.

Additionally, there is a second plot line with the animals who can speak, and their considered danger of them being able to. Silencing them became a worldwide agenda, and seeing people not stand up, even the people who believe it is wrong, hauntingly defines the society in which we currently live in. Honestly, I’d go as far as to say it is the society we have ALWAYS lived in.

There’s something about Wicked’s beginning song “No One Mourns the Wicked” seeing everyone celebrate and cheer and yelp over the death of the wicked witch is reminiscent of a previous time where — if you have watched the Wizard of Oz — and indulged in the satisfying death of the witch. There is something deeply sickening about that realization that you too may have celebrated her death, not knowing her story, never wanting to learn her side, and that the people you have once condemned did something you once did too.

It’s a realization that it’s important to have; a reminder important to be reminded about every once in a while. And at it’s very minimum, even if you can’t decipher what exactly you learn from Wicked, sitting in the theater silently watching the credits roll stunned to silence and looking around to see so many people in tears or shocked along with me was an experience that I have never experienced.

I can’t guarantee the same experience for you, but for a movie so widely loved, don’t think it’s not overrated. If it feels that way to you, then there is a reason that so many people like it, and I implore you to check out why, and see for yourself.