As the leaves start to change and the breeze begins to cool, people curl up in bed to watch a movie. They watch classic fall movies like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” the “Harry Potter” series, “Hocus Pocus” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” One movie people might not watch so often is “Practical Magic,” though it does have that same fall feeling to it. “Practical Magic” (1998) follows two witchy sisters, Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman), as they battle an evil spirit in the form of a dead ex-boyfriend who threatens to kill them.
Despite the story’s being evidently dark, the setting is surprisingly bright. “Practical Magic” takes place in a fictional New England town. The sisters live in a seaside Victorian-style house with their aunts where the story unfolds during the daytime. Because most of the movie happens while it is bright, it adds to the soft aesthetic of the autumn season.
The plot revolves around two sisters who live with their two eccentric aunts after their parents die. The major theme of this movie is the power of numbers. Throughout the majority of the movie, the women in town tend to steer clear of the Owens sisters but come together towards the end of the movie to help the sisters despite their innate fear of witches.
The film also revolves around the value of sisterhood. Regardless of the vast differences of personality between the sisters, they seem to be able to sense each other, so to speak. When they are feeling intense emotion, they call out to each other and just know what has happened. This closeness also exists with their aunts, Frances and Jet. They all live in the same house together, but Aunt Frances and Aunt Jet go everywhere together. Cursed never to be able to keep a man that they love, the sisters stick close to each other as they are all they have.
“Practical Magic” is a whimsical film that reflects the hope that maybe witches do exist, not as ugly wart-filled old ladies, but as regular women trying to find their way through life together. The Owens sisters dress like any other woman during the ’90s, but the film has a way of reminding the audience of who they really are, like when a spoon stirs itself in coffee or when two little girls create syrup potions.
The soundtrack of “Practical Magic” is a timeless aspect of this cult classic. It is very fitting to the film and builds on its attractive soft autumnal setting. Containing songs by Stevie Nicks, Marvin Gaye and Elvis Presley, it holds a charming oddness that reflects the atmosphere of the film.
Kidman, who plays Gillian Owens, is known for her roles in “Moulin Rouge!” (2001) and “Babygirl” (2024). Kidman stands out in this film as the rebellious younger sister having just become popular after her big break in “To Die For” (1995). She completely absorbs herself into her characters and gives her all to her performances. Bullock, who plays Sally Owens, the responsible older sister, became a household name after her performance in “Speed” (1994). She is most known for her roles in “While You Were Sleeping” (1995) and “Miss Congeniality” (2000).
Director of “Practical Magic” Griffin Dunne based the movie on a novel of the same name by Alice Hoffman. Dunne is most known for directing shows like “Blonde” (2001), featuring stars like Poppy Montgomery, Patrick Dempsey and Jenson Ackles, and “My Girl” (1991).
“Practical Magic” is available to stream on HBO Max and Hulu.
