Nicole Kidman, an Australian-American actress, is widely known for her talent and beauty. Throughout her career, she has taken on various roles in films and television, showcasing her versatility as an actress. One particular role that stood out was her portrayal of a witch. In the 2005 film "Bewitched," Kidman played the lead role of Isabel Bigelow, a witch who tries to live a normal life by marrying a mortal man. The film was a remake of a popular television series from the 1960s, and Kidman's portrayal of the character added her own charm and charisma to the role. Kidman's performance as a witch in "Bewitched" was praised by critics and fans alike.
The real charm, however, was that Practical Magic was all of those things, which is why audiences are still bewitched by the movie, especially during spooky season, and its weird mix of humor, horror and, especially, the heart in the bond between Sally and Gilly.
The real charm, however, was that Practical Magic was all of those things, which is why audiences are still bewitched by the movie, especially during spooky season, and its weird mix of humor, horror and, especially, the heart in the bond between Sally and Gilly. The spell is successful-but the man s subsequent magical obsession, which eventually drives the woman to exhaustion and remorse and nearly suffocates her, is never even hinted at.
Kidman's performance as a witch in "Bewitched" was praised by critics and fans alike. She brought a whimsical and enchanting presence to the screen, capturing the essence of a modern-day witch with her grace and elegance. Her chemistry with co-star Will Ferrell added to the comedic elements of the film, making it an entertaining watch for audiences.
How Practical Magic Pissed Off a Real-Life Witch
Twenty-five years later, the film’s director talks that famous midnight-margaritas scene—“Everybody got shit-faced”—and the magic consultant who threatened to sue Warner Bros. over the production: “They said, ‘Fuck this,’ and wrote her a check.”
October 6, 2023 Courtesy of Everett Collection. Save this story Save this storyPractical Magic, a heady blend of ’90s romantic comedy, domestic violence horror, and supernatural trickery, is perhaps best encapsulated by a single moment: “You have the worst taste in men,” Sandra Bullock’s Sally groans as she helps her sister, Gillian (Nicole Kidman), bury the evil ex they’ve killed in the backyard of their magical mansion.
Twenty-five years after the film’s release, its synopsis remains spellbindingly dense. Bullock and Kidman play sisters bound by a curse that befalls any man who falls in love with a woman in their family. After their father perishes and their mother dies of a broken heart, the sisters are raised in an enviable cliffside estate by their wonderfully wicked aunts (Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest, in roles originally envisioned for Vanessa Redgrave and Julie Christie). Sally vows to never fall in love, while Gillian flings herself toward romance.
The sisters spend several years apart—Sally marries and has two children (Evan Rachel Wood and Alexandra Artrip) with a man (Mark Feuerstein) whose demise arrives as predicted, and Gillian gets entangled with her abusive boyfriend, Jimmy (Goran Visnjic). The pair kill Jimmy after he attempts to kidnap them, but his spirit lingers, requiring a full-on exorcism. Oh, and things are further complicated by the investigation into Jimmy’s murder by Aidan Quinn’s Gary Hallet, whom Sally discovers she’s falling in love with.
Suffice it to say, the movie is a lot. “I remember Bob Daly, who was co-CEO of Warner Brothers—at our premiere, he sat one row in front [of me],” the film’s director, Griffin Dunne, tells Vanity Fair. “After a very lighthearted scene with girls giggling and being hilarious, [we were] having them dig up a body from a rose bush and stick needles in its eyes. He turned to the person next to him and went, ‘I wish the kid would just pick a tone.’”
Critics tended to agree. Despite opening at number one, the film, adapted from Alice Hoffman’s 1995 novel with a screenplay by Robin Swicord, Akiva Goldsman, and Adam Brooks, was deemed “too scary for children and too childish for adults,” by the likes of Roger Ebert. Entertainment Weekly called it “a witch comedy so slapdash, plodding, and muddled it seems to have had a hex put on it.”
Dunne, son of longtime VF contributor Dominick Dunne and an actor best known for 1985’s After Hours, never helmed another studio film. But in the decades since its release, Practical Magic has morphed into a cult classic, beloved particularly by women for its enviable soundtrack (Faith Hill’s “This Kiss”! Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You,”! Two original Stevie Nicks tracks!) and themes of sisterhood. “Dealing with several different tones in the same film is not that unusual anymore,” says Dunne. “When I did American Werewolf in London, it was the same reaction. People were really upset that there were laughs in a horror movie. Now you can’t make a horror movie without getting laughs.”
Fervor around the film gets particularly heightened around Halloween, Dunne says. “A little name-drop here, just two nights ago I was in my local restaurant in the Hudson Valley. Paul Rudd is one of my neighbors, and he came over and said, ‘My son’s girlfriend is obsessed with the movie. Can I bring her over? She wants to just talk to you about it.’ She joined our table and asked me the same questions you’re asking—just devoured every tiny detail about it. That was enormously satisfying.”
The script has so many holes and jumps it seems already to have been cut for commercials. Most of the dark psychological shadows of the original book have been sacrificed; even the predictable haunting has been given a cute suburban carpool-ish touch. As young girls, Sally and Gillian witness a woman begging their aunts for a love potion that will drive another woman's husband crazy. (She's supposed to be just one of the scores of townspeople who creep up to the aunts' back door for help, suggesting the witches' very complex relationship with their neighbors; but, hey, no dark secrets here.) The spell is successful-but the man's subsequent magical obsession, which eventually drives the woman to exhaustion and remorse and nearly suffocates her, is never even hinted at. "Be careful what you wish for" is supposed to be a warning, but instead it's the excuse for casting Aidan Quinn as the lawman tracking Gillian's missing cowboy.
Kidman's portrayal of a witch in "Bewitched" demonstrated her ability to take on diverse roles and make them her own. She effortlessly blended into the character, bringing depth and charisma to Isabel Bigelow. Her performance showcased her range as an actress and her ability to bring fictional characters to life. In addition to her role in "Bewitched," Kidman has played other complex characters throughout her career. From her Academy Award-winning performance in "The Hours" to her captivating role in "Moulin Rouge!," Kidman has proven time and time again that she is a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. Despite her success in numerous roles, Kidman's portrayal of a witch in "Bewitched" remains one of the most memorable. Her ability to captivate audiences with her talent and charm is undoubtedly what makes her stand out as an actress. Whether she is playing a witch or any other character, Kidman continues to leave a lasting impression on the audience..
Reviews for "Discovering Nicole Kidman's Witchcraft: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Her Witch Roles"
1. John - 1 star
"The Nicole Kidman witch movie was a complete disappointment for me. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the acting seemed forced and unnatural. I found myself constantly checking my watch, waiting for the movie to be over. Overall, I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this film."
2. Sarah - 2 stars
"I had high hopes for the Nicole Kidman witch movie, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The cinematography was beautiful, but the storyline was weak and lacked depth. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked development, making it hard for me to connect with them. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wishing for more substance. Disappointing."
3. Michael - 1 star
"I couldn't understand the hype surrounding the Nicole Kidman witch movie. The storyline was convoluted and didn't make much sense. The pacing was slow, making it hard to stay engaged. The performances felt lackluster and unconvincing. Overall, it was a forgettable and confusing film that I wouldn't recommend to anyone."
4. Emily - 2 stars
"The Nicole Kidman witch movie had potential, but it failed to deliver. The special effects were impressive, but the story felt disjointed and poorly executed. The characters lacked depth and the dialogue was often cringe-worthy. I felt indifferent towards the outcome and was left wanting more from the film. Sadly, it was a letdown."
5. Robert - 1 star
"The Nicole Kidman witch movie was a waste of time. The plot was predictable, and the characters were uninteresting. I found myself bored and uninvested in the story. The movie tried to be atmospheric and mysterious, but it ended up being cliché and unoriginal. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one."