‘Practical Magic 2’: Shenanigans

The Owens sisters are back after nearly three decades, and this time, they have even more magic, family drama and romance than ever before. “Practical Magic 2” brings Gillian and Sally Owens back to the big screen and allows the audience to experience their magic once again.

Thirty years after the events of “Practical Magic” occurred, we get to watch the Owens sisters as they find themselves caught up in even more consequences of their power. Sally, Gillian and Sally’s two daughters, Kylie and Antonia, must continue to try and break the centuries-old curse that dooms any man who ever loves an Owens.

“Practical Magic 2” was the ideal movie to capture the cozy feeling of autumn. The movie’s warm colors, fall scenery and magical atmosphere create the perfect setting for the Owens sisters and makes a great escape for the audience. Beyond its cozy atmosphere, the film also gives audiences more to take away from the story. “Practical Magic 2” explores themes of legacy, identity, independence and most importantly, sisterhood.

Sandra Bullock, who plays Sally, and Nicole Kidman, who plays Gillian, show you what sisterhood is both on and off the screen. The best part of the movie is watching Bullock and Kidman’s sister-like chemistry that feels completely effortless. Bullock and Kidman’s charm and off-screen love for one another really make the movie into the sweet, special and nostalgic film it is. It is also extraordinary to have the legendary aunts, Aunt Francis (Stockard Channing) and Aunt Jet (Dianne West) back on our screens with their classical charm and wit. Sally’s daughters, Kylie (Joey King) and Antonia (Maisie Williams), are the younger cast who represent the next generation of the Owens family witches.

After Kylie falls in love with a boy from school, he gets severely injured and falls into a coma right after Kylie says “I love you” to him. Kylie flees to London to figure out what she can do to break this curse on the Owens family that has been hurting the sisters for hundreds of years.

The original “Practical Magic” has more of a cozy and whimsical vibe to it, while “Practical Magic 2” feels more like a high-stakes thriller. In the first film, Sally's young daughters were there to be fun and lighthearted, which changed in the second film. Sally lied to her adult daughters in childhood and into adulthood about their family history, the curse and the fact that the Owens women are all witches. The daughters, especially Kylie, feel deeply betrayed, leading to an emotional fallout. Although the movie was much more hectic and dramatic than the first movie, the film ended with Sally and Gillian acting more like themselves: dancing, laughing and making margaritas.

“Practical Magic 2” teaches the audience a lot of lessons. The ultimate lesson in this movie is sisterhood, and knowing that you are always stronger together. Even with all the ghosts, curses and spells, nothing is more powerful than the bond between sisters and women uniting. Not only do Sally and Gillian set an example of this, but the iconic Aunts Jet and Frances show how sisterhood is the most important magic of all, too, and that truly is a lifelong sanctuary.

The soundtrack of the film plays a vital role. In the first film, Stevie Nicks, who has one of the most recognizable, witchy and whimsical voices, sang “Crystal,” which played during transitions between the young sisters. Nicks was eager to be back on the soundtrack, and towards the middle of the movie, the iconic, melancholy “Landslide” came on capturing the perfect scene. The lyrics, “Time makes you bolder, children get older, and I’m getting older, too” mirror exactly what Gillian and Sally Owens are facing in the second movie. Right as “Landslide” is playing, we hear Aunt Jet’s famous last words, “Shenanigans… live a little, live a lot,” which also fits perfectly into the lyrics of the famous Nicks song. The movie ended with Sandra Bullock's familiar and comforting line, "There are some things I know for certain: always throw spilt salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck and fall in love whenever you can." This closing quote is the ultimate anchor of the entire movie and represents the Owens sisters’ emotional revolution.

garretea@miamioh.edu

Eliza Garrett is from Oklahoma City. She is a sophomore at Miami University studying journalism. She enjoys going on walks, spending time with friends and family, and all things entertainment. Her favorite song is “This Must Be the Place” by Talking Heads and her favorite movie is “Donnie Darko.”