Common Sense Media Review
Quirky, uneven romcom with some witchy violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
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Practical Magic
What's the Story?
PRACTICAL MAGIC follows the story of two orphaned girls from a family of witches. As they grow up, they long to separate themselves from their past and the reclusive aunts who give them an unconventional upbringing (for example, feeding them brownies for breakfast). Sally Owens (Sandra Bullock) longs to be "normal," and Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman) wants a passionate romance that will leave her dizzy. Sally marries a man she adores and has two children before he's killed in an accident. Devastated, she blames the family curse that, according to legend, results in the early death of any man who loves an Owens woman. Gillian, meanwhile, ends up with Jimmy Angelov (Goran Visnjic), who's abusive. When Sally comes to rescue her, they accidentally kill Jimmy. Using their aunts' book of spells, the sisters bring him back, only to kill him again when he attacks them. They bury him in the backyard and think they're safe. But then a police officer comes looking for Jimmy, who isn't quite as departed as they'd thought.
Is It Any Good?
Bullock and Kidman are ideally cast as sisters who are as different as they are devoted, but overall this is an uneven adaptation of Alice Hoffman's lyrical novel. On the plus side, Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing are delightful in Practical Magic as the sisters' wry but wise and loving aunts, bedecked in Victorian lace. And it's a pretty movie to watch, with some feel-good scenes and strong themes of sisterhood. But the movie swings wildly in tone and theme, with a mix of comedy, romance, and fantasy that doesn't quite gel. The experience is ultimately more frustrating than fun.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the women in Practical Magic are portrayed. Do they challenge or reinforce gender stereotypes? How do the men fare?
The film's depiction of the occult shows a wholesome community of witches who help one another. How does this compare to other depictions of witchcraft you've seen in the media? How might it change your perceptions of the practice?
If you've read the source novel, how does the movie compare? What are some of your favorite book-to-movie adaptations?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 16, 1998
- On DVD or streaming : February 16, 1999
- Cast : Nicole Kidman , Sandra Bullock , Stockard Channing
- Director : Griffin Dunne
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some violence, intense thematic elements and sensuality
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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