Beautiful in music: the movie "Wicked: Tale of the Witch of the West" brought to Russia

The story of the friendship between two witches from Oz, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, made a splash at the global box office. The film adaptation of the Broadway musical received four nominations for the Golden Globe and earned almost half a billion dollars at the global box office. In Russia, the musical tape goes on pre-screening service. About why "Wicked" became a hit - in the material "Izvestia". Beware of spoilers!

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The picture "Wicked: Tale of the Witch of the West" collections at the global box office of almost $ 500 million and four nominations for the "Golden Globe" in the categories of "Best Film - musical or comedy", "Best Actress in a Motion Picture - musical or comedy" (Cynthia Erivo), "Best Supporting Actress" (Ariana Grande) and for cinematic achievements and box office receipts.

The novelty has secured the interest of the audience in advance - it is an adaptation of one of the most successful Broadway musicals written by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holtzman, which premiered more than 20 years ago and which, in turn, is based on the novel "Wicked: The Life and Adventures of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire. Its success at the worldwide box office is due to at least that. It can be assumed that a significant part of the audience of the Hollywood magic blockbuster - those who at least once saw the theatrical version of the fairy tale.

A long time ago, in the days when the yellow brick road was still only in the project, in the Land of Oz was born the sorceress Elphaba. Her life from the beginning did not go well - the girl was born with a green skin color, so as long as she can remember, was not only the subject of ridicule from her peers, but also unloved child of his father. However, thanks to an unusually strong gift, which she herself can not yet curb, by chance she falls under the tutelage of the teacher Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) at Shiz University.

She has to share a room with the most popular girl in the institution, a privileged student Galinda (not to be confused with Glinda - up to a certain point such a clause pisses off the snooty girl). At the same time, both can't stand each other, because they are different inside and out: one, not only green, in general does not get along well with the rest of the guys and is ready to make a joke at the opportunity, the second - a la Elle Woods from "Blonde in Law", only with an inordinate conceit and a worse character.

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The movie earned a quarter of a billion, which is already above the launch figures of the previous installments

However, gradually the girls' relationship warms up, and a simple, at first glance, dance scene when they become close to each other becomes one of the most emotional in the movie ("Ozdust Duet"). The effect is intensified by the fact that this episode differs from the rest in its striking scope and spectacle - the viewer feels as if he or she is spinning in a carousel of colors, complex scenery, and clearly rehearsed mass scenes.

The director was John M. Chu. He already had experience with the musical "At the height of dreams", in addition, with dance movies - in his portfolio several parts of the hit "Step Up". A separate pleasure in "Wicked" are the vocal parts of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande (which, of course, must be listened to in the original).

The issue of discrimination in "Wicked" comes to the forefront. It is on the surface not only in the episodes where Elphaba has to defend her place among the "normal". Clouds are beginning to gather over the animals, who until now have had the same rights as humans and mages in the magical world. Animal teachers are being kicked out of their jobs, tried to deprive them of their voices (literally make them unable to speak human language) and put in cages. The only one willing to fight the system turns out to be Elphaba. Which is why she ends up being proclaimed an evil sorceress. But we, those on the other side of the screen, already know that evil is not born. What will be Elphaba's path further and whether she will go to the real evil the viewer will not know - yet. The creators divided the story into two parts. The next wait at least a year.

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"One time to see this joyful eruption is not enough."

The picture received a predominantly positive assessment of foreign critics - 88% of positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. The strongest side of the movie many consider the acting of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. And the heroine of the latter with emerald-colored skin, in particular, is called the brightest color of the film.

- As much as I love this movie based on the popular musical, let me list all the reasons, from the way Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande rock the screen as the witches' girlfriends, to the sets, costumes and songs - they are to die for. Seeing this joyous eruption once is not enough," raved ABC News columnist Peter Travers.

Some, however, believe that the picture is even too hauntingly colorful, like its ideas.

- If you failed to feel the magic of "Wicked", there is a good reason for this: the film is so aggressively colorful, so maniacal insisting that it is normal to be different, that it almost suppresses you - shares the impressions of film critic TIME Magazine Stephanie Zacharek.

Diverge critics and in the validity of the length of the movie - the timing of "Wicked" two hours and 40 minutes. Some wrote that the musical is unnecessarily prolonged, others, on the contrary, that they would be willing to spend more time on the spectacle and more of their time.

- "Wicked" is a colorful, engaging musical that seems tediously drawn out for reasons clearly related to profit and greed. It deserves a first place nomination for "Does it really have to be this long?" - opines Adam Graham of the Detroit News.

"Thanks to terrific performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Jon M. Chu's incredibly charming adaptation is so engaging that you almost wish it lasted longer (your bladder may disagree)," writes Wendy Eide of the Observer (UK).

You can watch "Wicked" in Russian cinemas. The picture is being shown as part of the pre-screening service.