Strong women and the story arc of Wicked-- go see it. It'll help.

Meg and I went to see Wicked last night, and it did not disappoint. I've read a lot of opinions about the film lately, some of the writers noting that the plot is, essentially, about a smart young woman who wants social justice, and what happens to her when she defies authority and will not go along with the marginalization and oppression of the intelligent and different. Yes, that is exactly it: she sees that the authoritarian structure that is "supposed" to be for the citizens' "own good" is an oppressive and exploitive regime. Education, specifically, is curtailed. The scene when the legal authorities burst into a classroom and drag off the professor to put him in a cage hit home with me. 

The music was delightful, there were very funny parts, some touching ones, and, as I just mentioned, scenes that prompt outrage (well, unless you are on the side of authoritarianism). Since this is a "part one" type of film, we'll have to wait a while for the rest of the story...but we do, in fact, know how it turns out for Elphaba. That's a little disheartening, honestly. Cynthia Erivo is amazing, by the way-- she is Elphaba, but she is also, by extension, so many of the rest of us as well.

Ariana Grande's performance was spot-on; ditzy, shallow, and "popular"-- and, eventually (as is shown in the opening, which is actually what we assume is the ending of the story) she is seen as an opportunistic collaborator. In short, she betrays a smart woman in order to secure her own comfort and rise to a position of perceived importance. And that's another parallel to current times, as well. 

I needed the reminder that the Wizard has no power except what is given to him, based on people's fear and awe. He is a weak charlatan (masterfully played by Jeff Goldblum) who hides behind his technology and his scrim of authority. And weak men who feel threatened by their own inadequacy cling to power by demonizing intelligent people, especially women. There's a long history of that, isn't there, in history and myth? Joan of Arc, Mary Magdalen, Cassandra... and I'm pretty sure you can fill in the more recent ones in our own time.

But he has no power. The Wizard has no power. Glinda confronts Elphaba near the end of this first installment and asks her if she's scared of the Wizard. Elphaba replies that the Wizard should be scared of her instead. 

As it should be.

C