Growing up, Practical Magic was a comfort movie. The quaint coastal town the Owen’s sisters live in, the gorgeous old house, sprawling gardens, and magic in every corner. I’m going to go out on a limb and say if it wasn’t ALL little girls, a good majority of us grew up mixing backyard potions of sticks, leaves, mud, and anything else that seemed like something you might throw into a cauldron. A refrain that rattles around in my brain all these 28 years later, “There are some things I know for certain: always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can.”
After what has become my yearly re-watch of the 1998 classic a few days ago, I couldn’t help but feel like I was going to see old friends, sisters, people I had grown up with. Following that excitement, fear of the whole illusion being ruined in a nostalgia cash- grab worried me. How could we possibly top the lover annihilating curse from the previous film? (Hint: we don’t. But… that’s okay.)
The Owens Sisters Are Back
I was pleasantly surprised that throughout the movie, the charm and the magic remained constant and seemed like a natural, albeit awkward, progression in the Owen’s family story. Of course, the curse that was thought to have been defeated at the end of the last film was back. We meet back up with Sally (Sandra Bullock), Gilly (Nicole Kidman), the Owen’s aunties Frances and Jet (Stockard Channing and Dianne Weist), and Sally’s daughters (Joey King and Maisie Williams) all grown up. After losing Gary (Aidan Quinn), Sally makes Gilly and her aunts vow to never let her daughters know of the magic in their bloodline, hoping to spare them the pain of the curse that had taken 2 of her loves.
Unaware of their magical heritages, Kylie and Antonia Owens grow up clueless about the danger lurking for anybody they dare to fall in love with. Antonia pursues a career in medicine, while her sister Kylie favors the arts. Kylie has a boyfriend and when she finally admits to being in love with him… tragedy strikes. After a mysterious book appears claiming to have the secret to finally ending the family curse, we lose Aunt Jet. That prompts Kylie’s boyfriend to visit, leading to her eventually admitting to loving him. A dramatic confrontation with her mother Sally and Aunt Gilly reveals the truth.
After finding the book and fleeing to where her newfound powers are guiding her, she heads to England where the curse originates. The charm, the magic and the characters, new and old, anchor the heart of the story. It was amazing seeing Maisie Williams (missed you Arya!) back onscreen, though it feels like her acting chops were underused here. This movie suffered from a half-baked plot, but it soared with incredible character acting and an absolute dream team of a main cast. The additions of Lee Pace, Xolo Maridueña, and Solly Mcleod were welcome and breathed life into the world of the Owens women. Introducing yet another love interest for Sandra Bullock’s character seems like a major risk, but Lee Pace is so dreamy in this movie (and every movie he appears in) and something about it worked for me this time… So I guess I’ll allow it.
Read More: Resident Evil Movie Celebrates Ticket Sales With More Posters and a Final Trailer
The first movie centered on heartbreak and grief, and the power that can be drawn from family, friends, and most importantly, sisters. This is where Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman soar. Their chemistry is the real star of the movie. Very much like the first film, sisterhood is the centerpiece. I can’t help but imagine a little bit more breathing room would greatly benefit this movie. The villain was blink and you miss it, and the magical rules of the universe seem unclear when you take a closer look. Through laughter and tears, and despite its faults, this movie draws you in and doesn’t let go.
Final Thought: It’s Practically Magical
The focus being how women can protect and uplift each other is not only a great comfort and reminder, but it’s important. When fantasy authors and right wing grifters decide what sisterhood can look like and who qualifies, movies like this scream from the rooftops, “FIX YOUR HEARTS OR DIE!” (shoutout David Lynch.) There’s always room for more whimsy and love, especially when it comes to sisterhood.
All that being said, I’ve got spells to cast and margaritas to blend. This movie was a blast to watch, and as somebody who is a sucker for anything witchy, I’d give this a 7/ 10. There’s a lot to love here, but it isn’t the home-run the 1998 film was.
Make sure to check out my other Nerd Initiative articles!
