Could ‘Wicked’ Steal the Best Picture Award? Shocking Predictions!

How do you heal a shattered heart? Reverend Al Green has the answer. Through his soulful and melancholic songs, he has a unique way of making you feel less isolated. “Everybody Hurts”? Yes, but when Al Green croons it, it brings a sense of solace and optimism.

I’m Glenn Whipp, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times and the presenter of The Envelope’s Friday newsletter. It’s a beautiful day. Let’s dive in.

Preliminary Oscar predictions: Fact or fiction?

We’re just a week away from Thanksgiving, still trying to figure out how much turkey to purchase (seriously, that much?), how to fit such a large bird into our oven, and contemplating if we could use our neighbor’s oven as a fallback.

Yes, the same dilemmas that puzzled the Pilgrims centuries ago.

When it comes to the Oscars, it’s too soon to make any concrete predictions about how the competitions will unfold in the coming months. However, making bold predictions can be entertaining, even if they don’t always come to fruition. (Sadly, “Joker: Folie à Deux.” didn’t make it.)

So in a recent column, I put forward five early award-season suppositions to see if they’ll hold true. In honor of “Wicked” coming to cinemas, here’s one about that highly anticipated musical:

Supposition: “Wicked” is a surefire best picture contender.
Response: True

At the Los Angeles premiere of “Wicked,” producer Marc Platt, who has been overseeing the project since its 2003 Broadway debut, struck an initial campaign note.

“What you’re going to witness tonight, I want you to keep in mind, because I believe it will resonate and appear highly relevant to you … and mirror the life you’re living and the world you inhabit,” Platt announced from the stage.

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I doubt he was referring to levitating monkeys. At least, I hope not. Because there are flying monkeys in “Wicked,” and nobody seems pleased about it, especially the monkeys. What Platt was hinting at was the film’s portrayal of a world that elevates an authoritarian leader (in this case, the beloved Wizard) who exploits scapegoating to manipulate and ignite people’s anxieties. You arrive for the songs and unexpectedly find references to fascism and genocide.

“Wicked” is undeniably entertaining, and everyone who’ll be entering the theater after sipping a Glinda’s Pink Potion at Starbucks will not be disappointed. But there’s also a clear subtext that might elevate the film for those who aren’t familiar with the show and perhaps assumed it was a light and frothy musical comedy. It’s a contender for best picture. And, if the stars align, “Wicked” might just clinch the win.

The Times welcomes a new film critic, Amy Nicholson

I did mention earlier that it was an exceptional day, and not just because there’s a new Al Green track out. Several months after my good friend Justin Chang left for the New Yorker, the Times has appointed Amy Nicholson as film critic.

If you’re a movie buff living in Los Angeles, you probably already know Amy, who adds humor and vitality to local events. She has contributed to The Times over the years, besides serving as the chief film critic at LA Weekly and MTV News since 2016. Along with comedian Paul Scheer, Amy co-hosts the podcast “Unspooled,” which aims to compile a list of the 100 greatest movies of all time. She is a member of the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. and the National Society of Film Critics.

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I’ve been a longtime reader of Amy’s work, recently delighting in her intelligent writing in the New York Times and Washington Post. Amy has a deep passion for movies — of all genres — and writes with expertise and flair. I’m excited to share a byline with her, as I often did with Justin. You’re going to adore her.

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