As a lifelong enthusiast of enchanting tales and captivating performances, I must say that my recent revisit to “Practical Magic” has truly bewitched me! In my humble opinion as a cinephile with a penchant for all things magical, this film has cast a spell on me that I didn’t anticipate.
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are two of the most prominent figures in Hollywood, with films and series slated for release on television schedules extending into 2024 and beyond. However, it was during their budding careers that they starred together in the 1998 movie “Practical Magic,” which resonated with audiences at a pivotal moment. Many fans of both actresses, including myself, would probably consider “Practical Magic” as one of their standout performances among the award-winning actors’ careers.
I found “Practical Magic” to be an enjoyable film about two witch sisters that I had watched only once or twice throughout the years. With Halloween approaching, I decided to revisit it, and I’m glad I did because my view of the movie has shifted. Now, I want to explore how my thoughts have evolved since then.
Warning Practical Magic spoilers are ahead.
I Didn’t Connect With Practical Magic When I was Younger, But Now See Its Appeal
I expected to join the enthusiastic audience of “Practical Magic” since the plot seems tailored to my tastes, given my longstanding fascination with witchcraft in TV shows and movies. As a child, I was captivated by series like “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and “Charmed”, and just as many others, I was an avid fan. My childhood ambition was to be a witch, which is why I welcomed anything related to witches with open arms.
In my younger years, I first saw the movie “Practical Magic” as a teenager or pre-teenager. I was drawn to many things that were not suitable for my age group, yet I still found enjoyment in them. Consequently, when I grew older, I didn’t expect to enjoy “Practical Magic” anymore since I had initially disliked it. Since I hadn’t enjoyed it back then, I assumed I wouldn’t like it in the future and chose not to revisit the movie due to my initial disappointment.
Initially, as a lover of both top-notch romantic comedies and witch-themed content, I wasn’t convinced that “Practical Magic” hit the mark for me in either category. But upon a second viewing, it became clear that my younger self might not have been entirely correct about this film.
Upon rewatching Practical Magic, I found myself deeply drawn into its charm, understanding why it sparked such affection from viewers since its debut. It’s not only an engaging witch tale but also a captivating romantic movie. While it may not quite top my list as Sandra Bullock’s or Nicole Kidman’s best performances, it certainly offers more excitement, sensuality, and warmth than I initially recalled.
The Bond of Sisters Drew Me In
One common focus in projects centered around witches is the strong bond of sisterhood, which is evident in most witch-themed movies. In these stories, the witches draw their power from their relationships within their coven. Some exceptional instances not only symbolically express sisterhood but feature the main witches as actual sisters. A clear representation of this theme can be found in the show Charmed.
“The concept of sister witches has always been one of my preferred themes in movies and TV shows. Consequently, I took an instant liking to Sally (Bullock) and Gillian’s (Kidman) relationship. It was refreshing to see them as opposites but not at odds, which is not commonly portrayed in media. Typically, we don’t often see sisters who are different from each other yet still bonding.
In my experience, my sisters and I might not be identical, but the ties that bind us have remained unbroken since we moved past our turbulent teenage years. A strong connection between sisters, as portrayed in ‘Practical Magic’, is often a powerful reality – one where siblings would sacrifice their lives for each other. This kind of bond could well describe many sisterly relationships.
In addition, we witness a strong, unshakable bond among the Owens women from multiple generations. This bond is evident between the aunts, Jet (played by Dianne Wiest) and Frances Owens (Stockard Channing), as well as Sally’s daughters, Kylie (Evan Rachel Woods) and Antonia Owens (Alexandra Artrip). The essence of sisterhood is deeply intertwined in the DNA of Practical Magic, which is one of the many aspects that made it endearing to me during this viewing.
I found it clear that their strong bond and affection stemmed from a place familiar to me, as I hold similar feelings towards my own siblings. Under no uncertain terms, I would go to great lengths, even bringing back the dead, for them.
The Main Practical Magic Romance Was Actually Sweet
It seemed that the primary factor hindering my initial affection for “Practical Magic” was the uninteresting romance between Sally and Gary. Their relationship lacked the charm and memorable moments found in my favorite romantic films. In fact, I couldn’t recall much about their love story except that I didn’t find it appealing. However, upon rewatching “Practical Magic”, I grew to appreciate it a lot more.
I love the idea of fate and destiny in my romance movies. Therefore, the idea of her making a wish for him and then him finally appearing is so up my romance alley. I loved the concept of their story. Additionally, Sandra Bullock is one of the queens of romantic movies for a reason. She has chemistry with everyone.
Aidan Quinn and she share an impressive on-screen connection, leaving me eager to learn more about their future together. Moreover, Sally’s initial romance with her spouse, while brief, was captivating (even though it was only shown for a few minutes). In my opinion, Practical Magic is not one of Sandra Bullock’s top romantic movies for me, but I find it charming and more delightful than I previously recalled.
I Love The Witch Lore In The Film
The book titled “Practical Magic” offers us just a fundamental understanding of the Owens family’s magic. Yet, this limited information piques my curiosity and leaves me eager to discover more. The concept of casting a spell that dooms the men they care for is both heartbreaking and captivating. Despite Gary making it through, I find myself speculating whether he might encounter the same fate eventually, or if perhaps this curse has been laid to rest at last.
Whatever the case, I’m eager to delve deeper into it. Initially, I had intended to dive into Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic book series, but now the film has piqued my interest even further. I yearn to uncover the entire history of the Owens family.
Practical Magic also reminded me of how much I used to love the world of witches. The last witch thing I embraced was The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (which needs to become a movie), and that was the first witch thing I consumed in so long. It might be time to return to the world of witch lore.
Sandra Bullock And Nicole Kidman Were Extremely Charming In Practical Magic
I’m quite fond of Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Some of my preferred films feature Bullock, and I find her so captivating that I’d be eager to watch any project she’s in. Kidman is an outstanding actress who consistently delivers intriguing performances. My appreciation for these talented actors has only deepened as their careers progress.
It’s not surprising that they both excel in Practical Magic, given their roles. Bullock embodies the sensible, everyday sister, while Kidman brings to life the wild, alluring one. Together, they portray different aspects of witchcraft. They create characters like Sally and Gillian that captivate audiences for eternity.
I now can’t wait to watch Practical Magic 2 and hope it pleases my now-high fan expectations.
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2024-10-15 23:07