Practical Magic
Sally and Gillian Owens, born into a magical family, have mostly avoided witchcraft themselves. But when Gillian's vicious boyfriend, Jimmy Angelov, dies unexpectedly, the Owens sisters give themselves a crash course in hard magic. With policeman Gary Hallet growing suspicious, the girls struggle to resurrect Angelov -- and unwittingly inject his corpse with an evil spirit that threatens to end their family line.
The film struggled financially against its considerable budget of $75.0M, earning $46.7M globally (-38% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its compelling narrative within the romance genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Practical Magic (1998) exhibits meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Griffin Dunne's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 44 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.8, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Sally and Gillian witness their mother's death, establishing the Owens family curse: any man who loves an Owens woman is doomed to die.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Gillian calls Sally in desperation: her boyfriend Jimmy has overdosed and is holding her captive in Arizona. She begs Sally to rescue her.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to After Jimmy resurrects as a violent, possessed version of himself, Sally is forced to kill him with a frying pan. The sisters choose to bury the body and cover up the death, binding them together in secrecy., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Jimmy's spirit fully possesses Gillian, becoming violent and dangerous. The stakes escalate from hiding a body to fighting a malevolent supernatural force. Sally realizes magic is the only solution, forcing her to embrace what she's denied., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The exorcism fails. Jimmy's spirit attacks Sally, choking her nearly to death. Gary is thrown aside. All seems lost as the demon overpowers everyone, and Sally appears to be dying., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Sally rises with newfound power and confidence. She realizes that love—not fear—is the strongest magic. The town women join hands in a circle, finally accepting the Owens women, creating the collective power needed for the exorcism., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Practical Magic's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Practical Magic against these established plot points, we can identify how Griffin Dunne utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Practical Magic within the romance genre.
Griffin Dunne's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Griffin Dunne films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.6, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Practical Magic represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Griffin Dunne filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional romance films include South Pacific, Last Night and Diana. For more Griffin Dunne analyses, see The Accidental Husband.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Sally and Gillian witness their mother's death, establishing the Owens family curse: any man who loves an Owens woman is doomed to die.
Theme
Aunt Frances tells young Sally: "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." Theme: embrace love despite fear.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Owens sisters as adults: Sally is a widow with two daughters, living a normal suburban life while denying her magical heritage. Gillian travels freely, currently with abusive boyfriend Jimmy. The town's prejudice against the Owens witches is established.
Disruption
Gillian calls Sally in desperation: her boyfriend Jimmy has overdosed and is holding her captive in Arizona. She begs Sally to rescue her.
Resistance
Sally debates whether to help Gillian, ultimately choosing to drive to Arizona. She finds Gillian being abused by Jimmy. Sally tries belladonna to sedate him, but accidentally kills him. The sisters debate what to do with the body and decide to resurrect him, which goes horribly wrong.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After Jimmy resurrects as a violent, possessed version of himself, Sally is forced to kill him with a frying pan. The sisters choose to bury the body and cover up the death, binding them together in secrecy.
Mirror World
Detective Gary Hallet arrives to investigate Jimmy's disappearance. He's immediately drawn to Sally, and she to him—despite her vow never to fall in love again. Gary represents the possibility of love without fear.
Premise
The sisters try to maintain normalcy while hiding Jimmy's death. Gillian moves in with Sally. Jimmy's spirit begins haunting them, growing more powerful. Sally and Gary's romance develops despite her resistance. The midnight margaritas scene shows the sisters bonding and Sally opening up to love.
Midpoint
Jimmy's spirit fully possesses Gillian, becoming violent and dangerous. The stakes escalate from hiding a body to fighting a malevolent supernatural force. Sally realizes magic is the only solution, forcing her to embrace what she's denied.
Opposition
Sally calls the aunts for help with an exorcism. The ritual requires women who love Gillian, so Sally must recruit the town women who have shunned them. Gary discovers the body and confronts Sally. Jimmy's possession strengthens, attacking everyone during the failed exorcism.
Collapse
The exorcism fails. Jimmy's spirit attacks Sally, choking her nearly to death. Gary is thrown aside. All seems lost as the demon overpowers everyone, and Sally appears to be dying.
Crisis
Sally lies near death while the town women surround her. In the darkness, Sally must confront her deepest fear: fully embracing her identity as a witch and the Owens legacy of love and magic.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Sally rises with newfound power and confidence. She realizes that love—not fear—is the strongest magic. The town women join hands in a circle, finally accepting the Owens women, creating the collective power needed for the exorcism.
Synthesis
United with the town women, Sally successfully exorcises Jimmy's spirit, banishing him forever. Gary accepts Sally fully, magic and all. The curse is broken—not by avoiding love, but by embracing it. Sally and Gary unite as a couple.
Transformation
The film ends with Sally and Gillian hosting midnight margaritas, now joined by town women who once shunned them. Sally has embraced her magic and found love without fear. The Owens house is full of life, laughter, and community—transformation complete.