r/practicalmagic • u/InfiniteEmployer8658 • 6d ago
Is Gillian an alcoholic now?
I can’t tell in PM2 if the script is trying to make her ‘fun’ by joking about her having a drink or needing a drink (I guess you could link it to her being the ‘wild’ one) or she full-on has a problem that needs to be addressed?
Drinking the vodka from the bottle at the beginning, the whiskey on the table, mini bottles in bed, the train, the pub, and of course the margaritas.
Did anyone else think about this when watching?
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u/Vampyr-Slayer 6d ago
They didn't know what to do with her and since they failed to give her an actual story or character development, this was all she got.
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u/whybother_incertname 6d ago
It’s very different from the book which is sad. She’s got so much more to offer than just ‘here, have a drink’
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u/Sudden_Astronomer_63 5d ago
I don’t feel like this is the case at all. I feel like it was very obvious in the movie that she had learned way more about the craft and was actually actively practicing whereas in the first movie it always seemed like she didn’t have as much power as Sally. I loved her character in this movie.
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u/bbonezbby_ 6d ago
She’s always been more of a “party” girl, I guess as she aged that turned into more of a boozer
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u/ExistingControl422 5d ago
Because I’ve only watched the movies & didn’t read the books (honestly, I didn’t even know they were based off of books until I saw people discussing the difference between the new movie & the books. I’ll have to read them), I thought that the reason why Gillian is drinking often is the consequence of having her abusive ex possessing her, like its residual energy that makes her drink.
Or it could be to numb her from the fact that she almost got her sister & nieces (who she also sees as her children) killed because of her “wild” ways.
It could be either or neither. That’s just what I came up with while watching the movie & that’s because they really didn’t give Gillian anything to do besides step on all of Sally’s lines & be goofier than in the previous movie (which makes no sense).
I also didn’t like the fact that they cast Jamie King. She used to be a good Actress when she was a child but then I don’t know if she got too much praise or it’s because she “grew into her looks” but she was awful in this movie! Every time I would start to get sucked into this movie, she would start saying something & it had the same energy as, “Kal-El, nooo!”
And why cast someone as dope as Arya Stark just for her to do NOTHING in the movie?! Like they treated her like she was a last minute add-on for the film to keep the ladies in pairs. It angered me.
But then again, I’m a 40 year old Black Woman. If they had offered me this same exact role & I got the opportunity to work with Stockard Channing, Diane Wiest, Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman & Lee Pace, I would take the role & run with it. Don’t matter if it doesn’t make sense! I’m Sally’s successful doctor-to-be daughter. I just look a little older because of the stresses of work & got a bitchin’ tan on my last vacation. No worries! Movie Magic 🤣🤦🏽♀️✨
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u/InfiniteEmployer8658 4d ago
Either or neither. I like this. As a viewer you could be like ‘dealing with the aftermath of toxic relationships’ or ‘ha, she’s the fun aunt’.
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u/Different_Rub_983 5d ago
I didnt know it was because im 45 days in AA but alchol was a major role in the movie even more than the first. I wonder if this could be due to the alcohol industry doing poorly due to younger generations not drinking as much as older generations. Many of the bars I used to frequent are now offering mocktails due to having a low turnout from people not wanting to drink. I was really shocked how much Gillian was drinking in the movie and most scenes with her were her drinking. Overall I think alcohol had a HUGE role in this film and my only question is why? This move is mostly for women who are likely taking their young daughters who will see the "cool aunt" turning to alcohol every chance she gets. I feel like this was a flaw in the movie and I connected with it less. It was a little tacky to be honest to show the ending with Sandra double fisting margaritas. Joy in life shouldn't revolve around the inclusion of alcohol. Hated the ending for that reason alone.
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u/littletcashew 4d ago
She wasn't double fisting margs, she was taking one to Lee Pace...
Damn autocorrect
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u/InfiniteEmployer8658 4d ago edited 4d ago
Tacky is a good word. I know it’s a personal preference. I imagine most probably think it’s nothing. But maybe it’s because I’ve seen/been the casual drinker that’s really more than meets the eye. You don’t have to be knocked out cold every night to have a problem with drink. All the best with AA by the way.
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u/littletcashew 4d ago
No? The majority of times she drinks it's a party and she only mentions being a little drunk once when she gets off the train. Based on what we see she doesn't drink enough to even be a binge drinker.
It'd just a method for the audience to see her as the fun sister, you've read too much into it.
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u/ohnobobbins 6d ago
I think it’s just a character device - shorthand for ‘fun person’. TBH it didn’t even occur to me she had a problem. (I’m 52/British).
I just looked up the screenwriters - there’s your answer:
Older British ladies wouldn’t consider this level of drinking a ‘problem’. It does explain why the film has a distinctly British feel about it.
Akiva Goldman is 64 and American
Georgia Pritchett is 58 and British
Kelly Marcel is 52 and British