Practical magic is a 1998 film directed by Griffin Dunne. Based on Alice Hoffman’s novel, the film tells the story of sisters Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman), who come from a Massachusetts witch family. With a family curse that dooms any man who falls in love with them, the sisters take different paths in life but are reunited when Gillian has a relationship with Jimmy (Goran Višnjić), a violent and violent man. After killing him in self-defense, the sisters must work together to prevent his ghost from destroying them.
The film was a blockbuster that did not recoup its budget. It also received negative reviews from critics, who disliked the different genres and tones the film features, although there was praise for Bullock and Kidman’s performances. In the nearly 25 years since its release, the film has gained a little more respect and is now considered a cult classic. Let’s look back at the romantic witch movie.
Mixing genres
One of the greatest parts of the film – and what critics disliked the most – is the mixing of different genres. There are elements of dark comedy, romance, fantasy and drama, without settling for a defining genre or tone to focus on properly. In addition, according to Collider, the film was marketed as a “fun, feel-good romantic comedy”, making the dark elements unwelcome to viewers expecting something light. The different tones sometimes clash, but on the other hand they bring something for everyone.
On the romantic side, it centers on Sally and Gary (Aidan Quinn), the homicide detective investigating Jimmy’s death. As a child, Sally wants to make sure she never falls in love, so she casts a spell that dictates that she will only fall in love with a man who has certain rare qualities. When she realizes that Gary has these qualities, she falls for him and then pushes him away because of the curse. However, Gary says he doesn’t believe in the curse and still loves her. In the fantasy realm, Jimmy’s ghost haunts and torments the sisters, even possessing Gillian’s body. These more intense moments are illuminated by the dry humor, such as Sally and Gillian’s aunts making magical margaritas. How effective the genre shifts are depends on the viewer; while some may like it, others may want the movie to be a simple rom-com or a dark fantasy, and not both.
The dynamics in which the family and the woman are central
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Most of the film focuses on the women who make up the Owens family. While there are more female-led films being made these days, it was special at the time. Both women are different and well-rounded characters; while Sally is strict and careful, Gillian is bold and free-spirited. Also noteworthy is that the film does not pit the sisters against each other or make them rivals. Instead, although Sally is fed up with Gillian at first, she fully supports her sister; as children, they make a pact to always be close, and Sally keeps that pact when the grown Gillian needs her help. Their aunts, Frances and Jet (Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest, respectively) also get more storylines in the film than in the book. They take care of Sally and Gillian when they are kids, and they all come back together as adults, with Sally’s daughters adding a new generation and fostering family dynamics.
Although the people of the town have shunned Sally and her family, both because they are not married and because they are witches, the local women come together and help them in times of need. When Gillian is possessed by Jimmy’s ghost again and tries to kill Sally, Sally must embrace the magic she’s sworn to use. Needing more power than she can provide herself, she asks the women in town to form an alliance with her and free Gillian from Jimmy’s violent spirit. The women join forces and banish Jimmy’s ghost for good. The Atlantic described it as a “satisfying moment of sisterhood” which celebrates the film’s ideas about family and femininity.
The themes
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With its blend of magic and romance, the film’s themes also revolve around love, both in romance and family, and embracing magic and power. Sally, having lost her first husband – whom she was able to marry thanks to magical interference from her aunts – renounces both magic and love. It’s sweet to see her starting to embrace both again, especially her romance with Gary. He understands and accepts her and her family, seeing his love as more powerful than the curse on the Owens family. Also, embracing magic again is like embracing her family again and finally seeing how magical they all are.
Moving past her abusive ex, Gillian also finds satisfaction in embracing her own strength and that of her family. Although she has followed her free spirit and traveled, she too comes back to her family for help. She embraces the comfort of her family as she struggles with Jimmy’s ghost, and gets the love she needs from them.
Practical magic is not the straight forward film viewers would expect. Those who want a romantic comedy might be put off by the dark elements, while those who want a dark witch movie might not enjoy the romance. Despite the messy mix of genres, the film is still a fun celebration of witches, women, family and embracing your power.