Since its release in 1998, Practical Magic has been a clear example of the discrepancy between critical reception and audience response. Despite being a critical and commercial failure upon its release, grossing only $46.7 million against a budget of $75 million, the film has been reevaluated over the decades and has become a cult classic.
A failure with context
Almost 30 years after its arrival in theaters, the continuation of this beloved story, Practically Magic 2, is set to premiere on September 11, 2023. The new film, directed by Susanne Bier and produced by Warner Bros., will feature the return of the main cast, including Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. The actresses reprise their roles as the Owens sisters, who must face a dark curse that threatens the integrity of their family. In addition to the leading ladies, Diane Wiest and Stockard Channing join the cast as the beloved aunts of the sisters, along with new faces like Maisie Williams, Joey King, and Lee Pace.
The author of the novel on which the film is based, Alice Hoffman, has recently commented on the context in which the first installment was released. Hoffman points out that 28 years ago there was not the same openness towards themes of magic and the representation of female characters in leading roles. According to her, the criticism was not very benevolent, which contributed to the initial failure of the project. However, today there is a significant change in public perception, and magic in cinema has gained new relevance, especially in stories that celebrate friendship and camaraderie among women.
With the release of the trailer for Practically Magic 2, fans are eagerly looking forward to reliving this iconic story and seeing how it unfolds in this new installment.
