Earlier than heading to the advance screening of Depraved: For Good, I handled myself to a rewatch of the primary movie simply to ensure I used to be absolutely caught up on the magic. I’m glad I did, as a result of this new chapter sweeps you in from the very first scene and by no means loosens its grip. It’s uncommon for a film to carry my full consideration, however this one completely did.
Cynthia Erivo is mesmerizing as Elphaba. From the second she seems on display, she pulls you straight into her world nonetheless looking for belonging, for peace, for love, and consistently misunderstood. Her journey is emotional and heavy at occasions, and you may’t assist however root for her along with your entire coronary heart.
Then enters Ariana Grande as Glinda, shimmering in each method. She brings attraction, humor, and vulnerability to the Good Witch whereas additionally revealing the insecurities she hides beneath all that magnificence and sparkle. She’s eager for love too however from the unsuitable particular person and her barely condescending nature provides an attention-grabbing complexity to her character.
What struck me most was how the townspeople had been manipulated into believing Elphaba was depraved, when the reality was so removed from it. Watching her battle lies, loneliness, and judgment hits near residence. It’s a reminder of how typically we make assumptions about others particularly in as we speak’s social media world with out understanding the actual story behind the scenes.
Even together with her magical skills, Elphaba feels heartbreak identical to anybody else. In the meantime, Glinda has all the things many individuals dream of: magnificence, privilege, admiration however even she will be able to’t purchase the love she desires most. It’s such a robust distinction.
The movie itself is beautiful breathtaking cinematography, a storyline that’s simple to observe however wealthy with emotion, and performances that shine. Standouts for me have been Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, bringing attraction and chaos with ease, and Marissa Bode as Nessarose, who delivered a quietly highly effective efficiency stuffed with longing and battle. Jonathan Bailey as Prince Fiyero was one other spotlight as soon as he sees Elphaba for who she really is, the chemistry is plain. He positively selected the suitable witch!
Now I HAVE to gush concerning the costumes. Paul Tazewell returned to work with Cynthia and Ariana, calling them his muses, and it exhibits. Each look was perfection wealthy materials, dramatic silhouettes, impeccable tailoring, and dazzling particulars. Glinda’s wardrobe particularly had me swooning. The designs moved fantastically on display and deserve each little bit of reward.
Total, Depraved: For Good was a very magical expertise emotionally full, visually spectacular, and unexpectedly stunning. The ending left me wanting extra… so fingers crossed for an element three!
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now demonized as The Depraved Witch of the West, lives in exile, hidden inside the Ozian forest whereas persevering with her struggle for the liberty of Oz’s silenced Animals and desperately making an attempt to show the reality she is aware of about The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum).
Glinda, in the meantime, has develop into the glamorous image of Goodness for all of Oz, dwelling on the palace in Emerald Metropolis and reveling within the perks of fame and recognition. Below the instruction of Madame Morrible (Oscar® winner Michelle Yeoh), Glinda is deployed to function an effervescent consolation to Oz, reassuring the plenty that each one is properly beneath the rule of The Wizard.
As Glinda’s stardom expands and he or she prepares to marry Prince Fiyero (Olivier award winner and Emmy and SAG nominee Jonathan Bailey) in a spectacular Ozian wedding ceremony, she is haunted by her separation from Elphaba. She makes an attempt to dealer a conciliation between Elphaba and The Wizard, however these efforts will fail, driving Elphaba and Glinda solely additional aside. The aftershocks will remodel Boq (Tony nominee Ethan Slater) and Fiyero ceaselessly, and threaten the protection of Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), when a lady from Kansas comes crashing into all their lives.
As an indignant mob rises in opposition to the Depraved Witch, Glinda and Elphaba might want to come collectively one ultimate time. With their singular friendship now the fulcrum of their futures, they might want to really see one another, with honesty and empathy, if they’re to vary themselves, and all of Oz, for good.
