Practical Magic Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two witchy sisters accidentally keep killing their boyfriends but then use community outreach and sisterly love to solve their ghost and romance problems.

🍿 Practical Magic: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Childhood and the Family Curse

The film opens with the story of Maria Owens, an ancestor who, heartbroken by lost love, casts a spell to prevent herself from ever falling in love again. This spell backfires, becoming a curse that dooms any man who loves an Owens woman. This curse follows sisters Sally and Gillian Owens from childhood after the death of their parents, as they are raised by their eccentric aunts, Frances and Jet, who practice witchcraft.

Growing Up and Diverging Paths

As they grow older, Sally desires a normal life and tries to avoid the family’s magical legacy. Gillian embraces her wild side and leaves home. Sally finds love and marries Michael, but the Owens curse strikes again, leaving her widowed with two daughters. This tragedy reinforces her fear of magic and its consequences.

Reunion and Accidental Homicide

Gillian, in a troubled relationship with an abusive boyfriend, Jimmy, calls on Sally for help. When Sally attempts to dose Jimmy with belladonna to subdue him, she accidentally gives him a lethal overdose. In desperation, the sisters decide to resurrect him using a dangerous spell, setting off a series of supernatural events.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sally Owens (Sandra Bullock): A widowed witch struggling with a family curse that dooms her romantic partners, she seeks a normal life but embraces her magic to protect her family.
• Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman): Sally’s adventurous and free-spirited sister, also a witch, who grapples with dangerous relationships and ultimately needs her sister’s help.
• Aunt Frances (Stockard Channing): One of the eccentric aunts who raised Sally and Gillian, embracing their witch heritage and providing guidance, she is strong and independent.
• Aunt Jet (Dianne Wiest): The other eccentric aunt, she raised Sally and Gillian, openly practicing magic and offering love advice.
• Jimmy Angelov (Goran Visnjic): Gillian’s abusive boyfriend who becomes a dangerous supernatural presence after his accidental death.
• Gary Hallet (Aidan Quinn): A detective investigating Jimmy’s disappearance who falls for Sally and must reconcile his duty with his feelings.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sally Owens: “I dream of a love that even time will lie down and be still for.” – This quote reveals Sally’s deep yearning for a timeless and enduring love, despite the family curse.
• Aunt Jet: “There’s a little witch in all of us.” – Aunt Jet says this to Sally’s daughters to encourage them to embrace their magical heritage.
• Aunt Frances: “Always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder. Keep rosemary by your garden gate. Add lavender for luck. And fall in love whenever you can.” – The aunts’ advice represents their philosophy of life, blending practical magic with love and good fortune.
• Gillian Owens: “I can’t be trusted. I’m always running. It’s just my nature.” – This quote highlights Gillian’s restless and independent spirit, contrasting with Sally’s desire for stability.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $75,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $46,732,881
• Worldwide Gross: $46,733,898

💥 Practical Magic Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adore Practical Magic. I first saw it when I was a teenager, and the connection between the sisters and their aunts really resonated with me. I loved the idea of a home filled with love, laughter, and a little bit of mischief. The ‘midnight margaritas’ scene is iconic! It’s a flawed movie, but it’s one of my comfort films that I can watch over and over again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of romantic comedies with a supernatural twist”
  • “Viewers who enjoy stories about sisterhood and family bonds”
  • “People interested in witch-themed movies with a lighter tone”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Drug use”
  • “Violence”
  • “Suggestive content”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Domestic Abuse”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Practical Magic is a witches’ brew of mismatched genres. It desperately wants to be a rom-com, but also a dark fantasy thriller with slices of horror. Bullock and Kidman have great chemistry as sisters, but it is hard to determine what to make of this mess.
• IMDb: “Light and easy, suspenseful in parts, funny, charming. How you’d expect normal ladies to act if they happened to be witches. Best part is when they use the PTA phone tree to recruit a coven. Watch it, you won’t be sorry
• Roger Ebert: “Roger Ebert gave this movie a mostly negative review, saying “the movie doesn’t seem sure what tone to adopt, veering uncertainly from horror to laughs to romance.” But I think Ebert failed to see that the film’s charm is the fact that the characters can indulge in laughs and romance *despite* the horror.

Audience Reactions

The chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman is undeniable and makes the sisterly bond believable.: Viewers appreciated the strong female leads and the film’s exploration of sisterhood and female empowerment.

Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest as the eccentric aunts provide both humor and heartwarming moments.: Many enjoyed the whimsical and magical elements, finding the film to be a fun and entertaining escape.

Overall Consensus: A charming yet flawed blend of romance, comedy, and supernatural elements, held together by the strong performances of the female leads.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The iconic Owens house was built from scratch as a shell for the film and then torn down after filming was completed.”
• “The blossoms on the trees surrounding the Owens house were artificial, made of silk for filming purposes.”
• “During the scene where Gillian and Sally resurrect Jimmy, they mispronounce ‘Hecate,’ the name of the witch goddess, as ‘Heck-tate’ instead of ‘Heh-kah-tee’.”

🖥️ How to Watch Practical Magic?

Practical Magic is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable broadcast times. For physical copies, DVD and Blu-ray versions are available for purchase online and in stores. Streaming services may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Practical Magic, you might like these similar films:

• The Witches of Eastwick (1987): Both films feature a trio of women with magical powers who deal with the consequences of their abilities and relationships.
• Hocus Pocus (1993): A lighthearted and family-friendly witch-themed movie with a focus on sisterhood and comedic elements, appealing to a similar audience.
• Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989): This anime focuses on a young witch coming into her own and finding her place in the world, emphasizing self-discovery and community.
• The Craft (1996): The Craft explores the darker side of witchcraft and the consequences of using magic for personal gain, with a focus on a coven of teenage girls.
• Beautiful Creatures (2013): A modern fantasy romance with a Southern Gothic setting, exploring themes of witchcraft, destiny, and forbidden love.

🛒 Practical Magic Related Products

• Practical Magic (Novel by Alice Hoffman): The original novel that inspired the movie, offering a deeper dive into the world and characters of Practical Magic.
• Witches of Eastwick [Blu-ray]: A related movie with similar themes starring Jack Nicholson, Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Susan Sarandon
• Funly Store Sanderson Sisters Throw Blanket Soft and Warm Fleece Throw Blanket All Season Cozy Lightweight Blanket for Couch Bed Sofa Travel (50×40 inch): Soft and warm blanket to cover yourself in while enjoying the movie
• Midnight Margaritas Recipe Book: Find amazing recipes to match the feeling of the movie with your friends

🎧 Soundtrack

Practical Magic features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “This Kiss” – performed by Faith Hill
• “Crystal” – performed by Stevie Nicks
• “Lime in the Coconut” – performed by Harry Nilsson

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Practical Magic – Midnight Margaritas

Step into the enchanting world of “Practical Magic” with this iconic scene that showcases the bond between sisters and the power of love. Immerse yourself in the magic and let the margaritas flow!

Let’s Explore the Whimsigothic Aesthetic

Unleash your inner witch with this fascinating exploration of the ‘whimsigothic’ aesthetic. Discover the origins, influences, and cultural impact of this captivating style, and see how it perfectly complements the enchanting world of “Practical Magic”.

is whimsigoth the ultimate autumn aesthetic?

Embrace the autumn vibes with this insightful look at the ‘whimsigothic’ aesthetic. Learn how this captivating style blends the enchantment of the past with modern trends, creating a spellbinding fusion that’s perfect for the fall season.

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