Phenomenon (1996)
- Starring:
- John Travolta, Kyra Sedgwick, (more)
- Director(s):
- Jon Turteltaub
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG
- Category:
- Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
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Director Jon Turteltaub followed up the hit While You Were Sleeping (1995) with this fantasy similar to Charly (1968) and a film from the previous year, Powder (1994). John Travolta stars as George Malley, a humble mechanic in a rural California town. On his 37th birthday, George celebrates at a pub with friends Nate (Forest Whitaker) and Doc (Robert Duvall), the local physician. When he steps outside, George observes a bright light in the sky that knocks him briefly unconscious. When he awakens, George has incredible intellectual powers. He checks books out of the library in armfuls, becomes an inventor, a psychic, has telekinetic powers, predicts an earthquake, and memorizes Portuguese in minutes. Using his newfound powers, George becomes a hero, but he can't totally win over the spooked townsfolk or the standoffish Lace (Kyra Sedgwick), a single mom burned by love once too often. As George's kindness breaks down Lace's reserve and a romance begins, his fame spreads, bringing him to the attention of the FBI and curious university scientists. Similarities between George's powers and the alleged benefits of Travolta's religion, Scientology, led to charges that the film was veiled pro-Scientology propaganda. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 123 mins
Complete Cast:
- John Travolta - George Malley
- Forest Whitaker - Nate Pope
- Robert Duvall - Doc
- James Cotton - Cal
- Troy Evans - Roger
- Michael Milhoan - Jimmy
- Mark Soper - Reporter
- Mariann V. Carothers - Furniture Store Owner
- Betsy Berryhill - Woman at Bar
- Ashley Buccille - Glory
- Beth Kennedy - Celia
- David Gallagher - Al
- Mark Valim - Alberto
- Will Prater - Helicopter Pilot
- Elisabeth Nunziato - Ella
- Tony A. Mattos - Ella's Father
- Michael Forner - Man at Bar
- Claudia Crespin - Woman in Crowd
- Brent Spiner - Dr. Niedorf
- Sean O'Bryan - Banes
- Ellen Geer - Bonnie
- James Keane - Pete
- Kyra Sedgwick - Lace Pennamin
- Jeffrey DeMunn - Professor Ringold
- Richard Kiley - Dr. Wellin
- Cab Covay - Taunting Man at Library Fair
- Tom Fridley - Agent
- Carl Parker - Man in Orchard
- Bruce Young - Jack Hatch
- Sage Callaway - Female Officer
- Jewel Benedict - May
- Eric Tignini - Agent
- Richard Gross - Customer at Malley's
- Daniel Zacapa
- Isaac Reiswig - Man in Crowd
- Dan Partain - Man at Bar
- Joseph A. Nicosia - Man at Bar
- Anni Long - Major Benz
- Justin Dipego - Intense Man at Library Fair
- Jack Chouchanian - Technician 1
- Vyto Ruginis - Ted Rhome
- Susan Merson - Marge
- Tony Genaro - Tito
- Director(s):
- Jon Turteltaub
- Writer(s):
- Gerald Di Pego
- Producer(s):
- Michael Taylor, Barbara Boyle
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG(Suitable for Children)
- Categories:
- Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
- Closed Captioning:
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- Subtitles:
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