One Green Eye One Blue Eye Practical Magic
Practical Magic is a 1998 American romantic comedy-drama film based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Alice Hoffman. The film stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as two sisters who are witches. One of the most striking features of the film is the portrayal of the character of Gillian Owens, played by Nicole Kidman, who has one green eye and one blue eye.
What is Heterochromia?
Heterochromia is a condition in which a person has two different colored eyes. It is a result of the iris having different levels of melanin, which is responsible for the color of the eye. There are three different types of heterochromia:
- Complete heterochromia: where one eye is a completely different color than the other
- Partial heterochromia: where a part of one eye is a different color than the rest of the eye
- Sectoral heterochromia: where a part of the eye has a different color than the rest of the iris
In the case of Gillian Owens, she has sectoral heterochromia, which means that a small section of one eye is a different color than the rest of the iris.
The Symbolism of Heterochromia in Practical Magic
The character of Gillian Owens is portrayed as a wild and free-spirited woman who has a troubled past. The heterochromia in her eyes serves as a symbol of her uniqueness and individuality. It sets her apart from the rest of the characters in the film and highlights her unconventional personality.
In addition to this, the heterochromia also serves as a symbol of the magic that runs in the Owens family. The Owens sisters are both witches, and the heterochromia in Gillian's eyes is a physical manifestation of the magic that runs through her veins.
The History of Heterochromia in Film and Television
The use of heterochromia in film and television has been a popular trope for many years. It is often used as a visual cue to indicate that a character is unique, mysterious, or has special abilities.
One of the most famous examples of heterochromia in film is David Bowie's portrayal of Jareth, the Goblin King in the movie Labyrinth. In this film, Jareth's heterochromia serves as a symbol of his otherworldly nature and his magical powers.
In television, the character of Peter Petrelli in the show Heroes also has heterochromia. His power is the ability to absorb other people's powers, and his heterochromia serves as a visual cue to indicate that he is different from the other characters.
The Science of Heterochromia
While heterochromia is often used in film and television as a symbol of magic or special abilities, it is actually a result of genetics. There are several different genetic mutations that can cause heterochromia, including Waardenburg syndrome, Horner syndrome, and piebaldism.
Waardenburg syndrome is a genetic condition that affects the pigmentation of the hair, skin, and eyes. It can cause heterochromia, as well as other eye abnormalities such as a lack of pigment in the iris.
Horner syndrome is caused by damage to the sympathetic nerve pathway that runs from the brain to the face. It can cause one eye to be a different color than the other, as well as other symptoms such as drooping of the eyelid and a smaller pupil size in the affected eye.
Piebaldism is a genetic condition that causes white patches of skin and hair, as well as heterochromia. It is caused by a mutation in the KIT gene, which plays a role in the development of pigment-producing cells.
Conclusion
The character of Gillian Owens in Practical Magic is a memorable character for many reasons, including her unique appearance. Her heterochromia serves as a symbol of her individuality, her unconventional nature, and the magic that runs in her family. While heterochromia is often used in film and television as a symbol of magic or special abilities, it is actually a result of genetics and can be caused by a number of different genetic mutations.