Wicked: For Good” Told Through the Costume Department

The official “Wicked: For Good" movie poster, which was used as a promotion for the movie, depicts movie stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who play main characters Elphaba and Glinda. The intentional colorization and setting of the image alludes to themes of friendship, defiance, and freedom, which are displayed throughout the movie. Photo Creds: Parade

Carrie Bradbury, Review Desk Lead for The Powderhorn

Blockbuster hit “Wicked: For Good” captured fans' attention from the first trailer, and didn’t let go until the movie’s final scene. The plot of the movie is based on the book, “Wicked,” written by Gregory Maguire, which is a fictional depiction of the events that precede “The Wizard of Oz”. “The Wizard of Oz” and “Wicked” are both well-established, beloved pieces of literature that are relatively hard to adapt into a movie. “Wicked: For Good” exceeded viewers' expectations as it captures the essence of both stories with perfection.

Similar to “Wicked: Part One,” the movie’s plot follows the relationship between main characters Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande). “Wicked: For Good” picks up where the first movie left off and follows the events that occur following their graduation from Shiz University, a fictional, magical school. The movie shows the story of these two characters through a lens that is incredibly heartwrenching and inspirational. The performances put on by these two actors capture the attention of viewers, although the ultimate success of the film was due to the supporting actors who brought an array of characterization and theatrical talent, deepening the story’s plot and relevance. 

The cast of “Wicked: For Good” included eight supporting actors who all played a significant role in portraying the story, but the three that stood out the most were Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), The Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), and Boq (Ethan Slater). These characters not only brought the most conflict throughout the film, but the events that surrounded them also added depth to the movie and explained parts of the story that could not be seen through the perspective of Elphaba and Glinda. The movie was elevated in appeal due to the performance done by these three actors and all those who played more minor roles.

The characterization and scene setting of these characters is what made the movie so attractive and entertaining. Costume designer Paul Tazewell brought magic to life in his rendition of Glinda, Alphaba, Fiaro, Boq, and The Wizard, and enhanced the themes woven into the story through his choice of style and color for each costume. 

The most breathtaking appearances were those of Fiyero and Boq when they both made a shocking, physical transition during the climax of the movie. These two characters serve as political and military leaders in the city of Oz and have a great significance within the plot of the movie. The two characters' immediate relationship to Elphaba and Glinda, whether that be through romance or friendship, made them incredibly impactful on the overall story.

In “Wicked: Part One,” Fiyero’s character symbolized public control and how it can be used for the greater good, as displayed in his solo song, “Dancing Through Life.” Bailey’s character takes on a more pessimistic personality as the story picks back up in “Wicked: For Good,” uncovering the hidden challenges that come with being popular. 

The costume alterations chosen to show this change in Fiyero’s personality mainly affect his military uniform. From generic to extravagant, to unexpected, the color combination of green and gold, paired with the uniform accessories, makes Fiyero’s costume evolution stand out and tell a significant piece of the story. This shift in both personality and costume, exaggerated by Baily’s outstanding performance, makes Fiyero one of the most interesting characters in “Wicked: For Good” and overall elevates the film's appeal.

In contrast to Fiyero, Glinda’s wardrobe largely remained unchanged throughout the entire movie. Wearing her trademark light pink, Glinda brings the much-needed comedic relief and optimism to the story. Her character changes dramatically from the start of “Wicked: Part One" to the end of “Wicked: For Good" due to things that happen, which are, for the most part, out of her control. Her character works in tandem with Elphaba, as they navigate an unorthodox friendship in the wake of conflict and destruction.

The most interesting and impactful outfit that Glinda wears is her pink, princess gown that is featured throughout “Wicked: Part One” and makes a return in “Wicked: For Good.” The gown is shown most in the scenes where she is travelling around Oz, spreading news to its citizens. This specific dress elevates the characterization of Glinda and her relationship with the public, mainly her perceived, bubbly personality.

By the end of the movie, Glinda makes some alternate outfit choices, which Paul Tazewell intentionally crafted to highlight her character development and keep the ever-changing story interesting. Having the outfit change made Glinda’s character relevant to teenage and young adult viewers, who may also feel trapped in a bubble of color and an echo chamber of design. 

Elphaba, elegantly played by Erivo, caused most of the movie's conflict due to her bold showings of protest and extreme contrast with the other characters. Elphaba is the leading protagonist of the film, promoting her political beliefs through her direct actions and loud expressions of opinion.

Elphaba is an easy character to relate to due to her struggles with bullying, loneliness, and abandonment. These themes are evident in the all-black outfit she wears throughout the story. The classic witch accessories, such as the pointed hat, long cape, and broom, make the divide between Elphaba and the other characters even more evident. While there were few, the costume changes for this character made her feel more realistic and sympathetic.

The use of costume design helps identify the personality and setting of many characters in the story. While script and acting are what many people look for when deciding if they like a movie or not, the costumes in “Wicked: For Good” add another factor for viewers to consider. Not all parts of the film were perfect, but the costume design made those other issues easy to overlook.