The first motion-picture film ever produced was in 1888. A brief, 2-second film clip by French inventor Louis de Prince changed the world. He likely had no idea that film culture would become so prevalent in the modern day. With decades and decades of film history to explore, today we are looking at Practical Magic (1998). Based on the book by Alice Hoffman of the same name, Practical Magic is a classic 90s film that captures the spirit of friendship, sisterhood, and love through the story it tells of the Owens sisters and their mission to break a curse placed upon their family.
A Summary of Practical Magic
Screenshot by Audrey AllenPractical Magic opens with a young girl named Sally being told the story of her ancestry and her family’s history of witchcraft. Sally and her sister Gilly come from a long line of witches in a small, coastal town in Massachusetts. Through a broken heart, one of their ancestors cursed their family so that any man who would love an Owens woman would be fated to die. The sisters are drastically different in personality and Sally vows never to fall in love, but Gilly can’t wait.
The movie then jumps to the near-present day (1998) and shows the girls as they work on living their lives independently. When tragedy strikes Sally (Sandra Bullock), Gilly (Nicole Kidman) is there for her. When Gilly gets herself into a bit of a mess, Sally goes to help her. Unfortunately, the mess that Gilly gets herself into is more than the two witches can handle on their own – despite their insistence on doing so. They accidentally unleash a spirit who is determined to end their family line, and chaos ensues.
Themes of Sisterhood, Friendship, and Acceptance
Screenshot by Audrey AllenThe sisterly relationship between Sally and Gilly Owens is central to the story that is told in Practical Magic. Their bond is explored through their interactions and the behaviors they display toward one another. Their loyalty is tested and eventually, Sally must ask herself just how far she’s willing to go to help her sister.
The same can be said for the themes of friendship and acceptance in Practical Magic. Growing up in a small town in Massachusetts, neither Sally, Gilly, nor Sally’s children have an easy time in the social realm. They are bullied for being strange and different and are often taunted for being witches. But when Sally and Gilly need help, the women from the town swallow their pride and embrace their curiosity about who the Owens girls truly are, coming to their aid.
Themes of Grief and Mourning
While the themes of friendship, sisterhood, and acceptance are prevalent in Practical Magic, its most impactful and central theme is that of grief and moving on from the loss of a loved one. It starts by showing viewers how the Owens’s ancestors negatively handled grief and cursed their family. Then we see Sally grieving the loss of her husband and her unwillingness to get out of bed because she is depressed.
Eventually, we see Sally reconcile with her grief and allow herself to have an opportunity for happiness. This does not come easily for Sally, and she must grapple with it as she deals with the curse on her family and the spirit that is haunting her and her children. When Sally finally does acknowledge that loving someone again wouldn’t be a bad thing, she finds her true peace and happiness.
Conclusion
Practical Magic is a wonderfully witty and atmospheric movie that explores complex themes through humor and whimsy. With strange magic, even stranger aunts, and a beautiful sisterly bond that showcases loyalty and family, Practical Magic is sure to make you laugh and smile. It does not shy away from painful or complex situations but brings awareness to them and shows that with the right support system, you can endure anything together. Oh, and if you liked the movie, the book is also highly recommended.
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