Witchy Ways (NaN)

For many of us, notions related to witchcraft and the supernatural frequently conjure up images of things scary, menacing, even evil. But those who freely engage in these practices are often frustrated by just how misunderstood their ways are perceived by others, gestures that are generally intended for beneficial purposes, especially when it comes to the processes of self-discovery and manifesting one’s hopes and dreams. And one area in which those aims are particularly true is in the romance department, regardless of one’s lifestyle or orientation. Such is the premise at work in writer-director Jane Clark’s latest feature outing, the story of Eve (Diora Baird), a middle-aged, successful but lonely businesswoman who makes a pilgrimage to a secluded wilderness vacation home in California’s Topanga Canyon, a journey whose purpose and outcome are mostly unclear, even to her. The journey is principally a tribute to her recently deceased mother who, for reasons largely unexplained, considered the warm and welcoming venue a personally meaningful refuge, an enigmatic sanctuary of sorts. Once there, however, the love-starved protagonist experiences a series of unusual, unexplained events, some mystical, some playful, some resonant and some unexpectedly romantic. Indeed, in short order, a budding relationship develops between the circumspect hermitic protagonist and her kindly neighbor, Danni (Marem Hassler), the owner of the property and an avowed, unabashed wiccan spiritualist. Their initially unlikely connection proves to be just what each other needs. But, as this emerging romance blossoms, they each must face issues from their respective pasts that they need to work through in order to move forward, challenging tasks that ultimately benefit from a little magic and a whole lot of warm and tender support. This delightfully different love story is a refreshing surprise in many respects, combining seemingly disparate narrative elements in a charming, revelatory and frequently humorous tale. In addition to lovingly presenting a passionate, heartwarming same-sex romance, the film provides viewers with a plainspoken, authentic, sincerely enlightening examination of philosophical and metaphysical topics that are often unfairly mischaracterized by blatantly erroneous and often-insulting misconceptions. Even though the picture is a tad slow to get started and can at times become a little too talky, it nevertheless pays off handsomely in the end, growing progressively stronger and more engaging as the film unfolds, all without ever becoming schmaltzy or coming across like an overwrought, saccharin-encrusted Hallmark Channel movie. “Witchy Ways” is truly an enchanting work of LGBTQ+ cinema that works its magic wonderfully, an offering that just might cast a spell over you.