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"Practical Magic" Review

Practical Magic, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, is all around a good movie-  entertaining and interesting, though not necessarily something I need to watch again. The plot revolves around two witch sisters named Sally and Gillian Owens; Sally never wants to fall in love, but for Gillian it’s a life goal. Unfortunately, their family is cursed so that any man who loves an Owens woman is doomed to die. Sally starts a family and tries to lead a normal life, but just as the curse forewarned, her husband is killed. Gillian, on the other hand, had been hopping from man to man before getting tangled with an abusive kidnapper. Sally tries to save Gillian but accidentally kills the boyfriend in the process, then resulting to a revival spell in order to avoid murder charges. The plot thickens as the boyfriend haunts them as a ghost and the sisters try and keep their spooky secret from the lead detective. Quite a story!
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman’s performances are bewitching, successfully playing compelling sisters. They're convincing, showing real sisterly love towards one another, and I enjoyed watching them act as a duo. The movie feels like a chick flick at times, getting sappy or cheesy, and then turns towards darker themes a bit too abruptly. I will say, though, that it is pretty comedic when a bunch of PTA moms get recruited to perform an exorcism. It’s a mixed bag of genres, but that keeps it a bit more unpredictable than it would have been otherwise.

Practical Magic puts a large emphasis on the stigma against witches in society and how the stereotype leads to Sally and Gillian being shunned in society for their powers. People fear what they cannot understand, so naturally they fear witchcraft. Even with society breathing down their necks, the sisters learn to own who they are, giving the movie a healthy dose of girl power. I love the more recent turn in cinema towards powerful, confident female leads. The Owens sisters hold their own, and even though the movie is about love, it doesn't deter them from being able to take care of themselves and be strong individuals. In fact, the love interest plays a pretty minor role.

Magical and witty, Practical Magic is a fun movie to watch on a lazy afternoon. The modern-take on witches brings a feeling of freshness to the film; the Owens sisters bridge the gap between the olden days of witchcraft and present day magic.

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