Tribal instincts can often cloud perception of certain films. Practical Magic, 1998 comedy directed by Griffin Dune, was surprisingly well-received in Croatia. Quality of the film had little to do with it. The film was hailed as something special simply for having Croatian actor Goran Višnjić in his first major Hollywood role.
The plot of the film is based on the novel by Alice Hoffman. Sally (played by Sandra Bullock) and Gillian Owens (played by Nicole Kidman) are two sisters who practice witchcraft. They are burdened with the centuries-old curse - any man with whom they fall in love is condemned to premature death. Sisters deal with this situation differently - Sally renounces magic, marries, has children and tries to have normal life even after her husband's inevitable death; Gillian practices magic, travels around the world and enjoys adventurous lifestyle. Her romance with East European immigrant Jimmy Angelov (played by Goran Višnjić) turns ugly when seemingly charming man reveals himself as psychopathic bully. Sally tries to help her sister escape from such abusive relationship and that leads to Jimmy's murder. In order to evade prison, two sister use their magical abilities and try to resurrect their victim. But Jimmy returns as an evil spirit. In the meantime, policeman Garry Hallet (played by Aidan Quinn) is assigned to investigate those events.
Any chance of Practical Magic being successful film disappeared when Akiva Goldsman became part of screenwriting team. Already burdened with complicated plot, this film is going around circles, with its screenwriters obviously not knowing whether they are making a supernatural horror, romantic comedy or crime mystery. Feminism, mixed with 1990s New Age sentiments, only adds to the genre confusion. Script problems are matched by Griffin Dune's bad direction. The pacing is bad and too many times the plot is being carried by cheesy pop tunes and even cheesier special effects instead of dramatic scenes. Because of this, Practical Magic is overlong and not even the talent of Nicole Kidman can rescue it. Sandra Bullock's inability to play housewife provides another disappointment. Other actors, like Aidan Quinn, did slightly better job. For Višnjić this film was a good move - his role would later open new Hollywood opportunities. Most of the viewers, on the other hand, probably won't like the two hours of their lives spent on another soulless "high concept" product of Hollywood.
RATING: 2/10 (-)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on September 7th 2004)
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