Practical Magic *** (1998, Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Dianne Wiest, Stockard Channing, Aidan Quinn, Goran Visnjic) – Classic Movie Review 12,011

Sandra Bullock.

This really, really odd witchcraft comedy is likeable but works only sporadically, though there are some very amusing ideas and funny moments to sustain it. In this virtually all-girls’ movie, Kidman and Bullock both work a little acting practical magic as the Owens sisters, witches Sally and Gillian, who use a gift they have inherited to perform practical magic to smooth the path to true love.

Also performing magical touches are the talented Wiest and Channing, as their dotty spinster aunties, though their roles could do with profitable expansion. Quinn and Visnjic are the handsome, odd leading men out, with, unfairly, not enough to do to make a mark. The movie interested audiences without seeming to satisfy them.

Also in the cast are Alexandra Artrip, Mark Feuerstein, Caprice Benedetti, Annabella Price, Camilla Belle and Lora Anne Criswell.

Michael Nyman’s score was abruptly replaced with music by Alan Silvestri for the cinema release.

Stevie Nicks promoted her soundtrack song ‘If You Ever Did Believe’ and a new recording of her song ‘Crystal’.

It was filmed on a set in California and a house built on San Juan Island in the state of Washington, while the small town scenes were filmed in Coupeville, Washington. Incredibly, much of the California set from was brought to San Juan Island and placed inside the house, with the whole house and the interior thing taking nearly a year to complete. It was torn down after filming.

Bullock said the two stars got drunk on very bad tequila brought by Kidman for the scene where the Owens sisters are drunk and slinging insults.

The entire population of Coupeville was invited to show up in costume and appear for the final scene with all of the townsfolk at the Owens home.

It grossed $68.3 million worldwide, below its $75 million budget.

The cast are Sandra Bullock as Sally Owens, Nicole Kidman as Gillian Owens, Camilla Belle as young Sally, Lora Anne Criswell as young Gillian, Goran Visnjic as Jimmy Angelov, Stockard Channing as Aunt Frances Owens, Dianne Wiest as Aunt Bridget ‘Jet’ Owens, Aidan Quinn as Investigator Gary Hallet, Caprice Benedetti as Maria Owens, Evan Rachel Wood as Kylie Owens,  Alexandra Artrip as Antonia Owens, Mark Feuerstein, Peter Shaw as Jack, Caralyn Kozlowski as Regina Owens, Chloe Webb as Carla, Lucinda Jenney as Sara, Margo Martindale as Linda Bennett, and Martha Gehman as Patty.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 12,011

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Sandra Bullock.