Practical Magic 2 offers wonderful cast chemistry, with meaningful relationship building between the Owens sisters families, and just enough magic mixed with romance to give it a witchy flare. The film takes a while to find any real stakes, and the unfolding of the mystery could use more motivation, but the cast members old and new are exuberant and elevate the film. Joey King and Xolo Maridueña inject a great youthful energy, driving the romance and crux of the story’s complication, while Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are again, magnetic and play off each other’s personalities brilliantly, making it feel like you’re hanging out with old friends.
A sequel to the 1998 film Practical Magic, it continues the story of the Owens sisters based on the book series by Alice Hoffman. The screenplay was written by Akiva Goldsman (Batman Forever, I Am Legend), alongside Georgia Pritchett (Veep) and Kelly Marcel (Fifty Shades of Grey, Venom). Goldsman returns from writing the first film. It is directed by Susanne Bier (Bird Box).
It stars Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock as sisters Gillian and Sally Owens alongside Joey King and Masie Williams as Sally’s daughter’s Kylie and Antonia. Kylie’s boyfriend Gideon, the main love interest of the film is played by Xolo Maridueña, while the mysterious potential love interest for Sally, the enigmatic professor Ian Wright is played by Lee Pace. The supporting cast is rounded out by Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing who return as beloved aunts Jet and Frances Owens.
The film sees the Owen’s sisters embark on a trip to England to trace their family history back to the matriarch who was the first witch in the Owen’s bloodline. They’re led there by their daughter Kylie Owen, who is drawn there to find answers after the family curse befalls her boyfriend Gideon.
Practical Magic 2 is a nicely balanced romance fantasy, which offers just enough magical elements to inject some excitement into the film while keeping the core of its focus on the emotional development of the Owens sisters, the romantic relationships of the film, and the growth and turmoil that the Owen’s family experiences.
The story excels when it focuses on the relationships of the family and how tension arises from their different stages of life. Gillian and Sally are older, and regretful about the life that was stolen from them by the family curse that says their loves must die. Sally in particular is closed off, and withholding of her emotions, with every attempt to protect her daughter only pushing her away. Gillian as usual is more adventurous, and this leads to a fun dynamic when they get to England and partake in some magical shenanigans.
The multi-generational cast is another great aspect of the story that gives it weight. Aunts Jet and Frances Owens provide a grounding force for the family, especially as they face emotional challenges through the film. Though they have a much smaller part to play, their role is quite meaningful and nicely ties the film together.
Fans of the books and the first film should be aware that the focus here is still on the romance and relationships of the story, with the magic playing a secondary role to add extra chaos and motivation to the story. It takes more time for this to develop. By the halfway point of the film, it still isn’t quite clear what each character is trying to gain, whether its those who need a problem solved or duplicitous characters who have something to gain.
A more pointed approach would go far to grip viewers earlier as the stakes seem immaterial when they’re not as clear. That said, it does pay off by the end and in the meantime, viewers are treated to some hilarious scenes with Kidman and Bullock, as well as some standout chemistry between younger couple Maridueña and King.
Susanne Bier’s direction suits the store; the naturalistic focus makes the magical elements blend easily with the very domestic feel of the film. Interior shots inside the Owens sisters’ home make audiences feel welcome inside the warm backdrop as characters reflect on their lives and choices. The more magical scenes in England are varied. Scenes at Ian Wright’s apartment have a wonderfully rich set design filled with old books, peculiar trinkets, and a rustic interior design.
However, the outdoor scenes in the old mansion where the final battle and most of the actual magic fighting takes place feels a bit more contrived, and lacks the intricacy and detail needed to make it more feel more natural than it does artificial.
Thematically, Practical Magic 2 will leave audiences with a refreshing feeling of hope, sacrifice, and sisterhood. The magic is selective and the story could use more fearsome stakes, but the standout hilarious chemistry between Kidman, Bullock and the younger cast members makes for an effortlessly fun genre-bending romance fantasy film.
Practical Magic 2 is in Australian cinemas on September 10th.
