Practical Magic. Remember that one? One of those feel-good Sandra Bullock movies with a bit of magic and of course, romance. I came across it again last weekend. And thoroughly enjoyed it. Again.
There’s a curse around. A curse on the Owens witches. Passed from mother to daughter, generation after generation. All because of love. Or, rather the “agony of love”. Maria Owens, casts a spell that any man who is truly loved will die. And that’s exactly where the problem for sisters Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian (Nicole Kidman) comes in. Sally falls in love, with detrimental effects and Gillian, well, she also meets a man but has other problems. Ending up temporarily living with the aunts who raised them, these problems needs solving and the two sisters are left to deal with it, and a handsome investigator mostly on their own. What results is a wonderful, feel-good movie of magic, spells, family, laughter and love.
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are perfectly juxtaposed as sisters – different enough yet still convincing. Who better to play the two wacky aunts, and wacky they are…chocolate for breakfast, no things as bedtimes or brushing teeth (eeuw), than Stockard Channing and Diane Wiest? They remind us of what we should do a little more in our lives…worry less about what others think and just be ourselves. Granted, that is not always easy, but honestly, I think rate others’ opinions of us far too highly. There are some other lessons to be learnt but I won’t bore you with that right now.
Back in the late 80s and early 90s, romantic (comedies?) movies had something that just worked. They were light, delightful and just…well, uhm, romantic. Especially if you had Sandra Bullock and Aidan Quinn (remember him?) crossing paths. Aidan Quinn is Gary Hallet, the detective following a lead and finding himself face-to-face with the most disliked ladies in town. Ladies who are totally misunderstood.
So, if like me, you are way too scared to watch real horror movies for Halloween, give Practical Magic (1998) a watch. You’ll smile and you’ll feel good by the end.
And remember ladies, “There’s a little witch in all of us”. Well, that’s what the aunts think anyway.
Thoughts All Sorts 
A lot of people don’t realise Halloween is also Samhain – Witches’ New Year, and what better film to mark the occasion than Practical Magic. I really do love this charming tale of love and the bond between two sisters. It’s also the best Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock ever looked.
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Absolutely agreed – I think the meaning behind Halloween is often forgotten. All that comes to mind is ghouls and ghosts.
Ah, those 80s and 90s movies…they were great weren’t they? Sandra Bullock, Meg Ryan, John Cusack…there was something special about those romcoms…
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Put the lime in the coconut. 😁Great film and so much fun.
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You gotta love that scene.
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Absolutely. In fact, I almost enjoyed it more this time round than all those years ago. Oh, I so loved the movies of the 80s and 90s!
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I’m looking to get out of the horror watching thing for the most part so this is a good recommendation. I remember liking Practical Magic in the 90s, but haven’t watched it since.
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It is as good as it was in the 90s. 🙂
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Man I love this movie. Would love to see Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman in another movie together.
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Absolutely. They work so well together. Always enjoyed Sandra Bullock.
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I love them both.
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I’m not so fussed on the film but I agree about all the cast. Would be great to see them in another film together.
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Absolutely!
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My thoughts exactly.
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And I’m glad you guys enjoyed it.
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😉
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