Where to watch Phenomenon
3 Stars
John Travolta plays George Malley, who owns the local auto repair shop in a small California town. After celebrating his birthday with friends at the local bar/hang-out, George heads for home. He pauses to watch a strange light in the sky, then collapses for a few seconds in the middle of the deserted street. In the days and weeks that follow, George finds his IQ and consciousness expanding dramatically, and develops telekinetic abilities. Despite his attempts to explain what has happened to him, with just a very few exceptions, most of the local townspeople treat the “new” George as a freak. His state of isolation becomes even more pronounced when his new-found abilities allow him to correctly predict an earthquake, and outside authorities become interested in what’s happened to him.
Phenomenon is a film with a simple story, well acted and told in a clear, straightforward manner, the kind that exemplifies the sheer professionalism of a studio-backed project. Riding a post-Pulp Fiction comeback wave, John Travolta proves himself to be a fine actor with an immensely likable screen presence who brings just the right touch to his character, and the actor holds his own against Robert Duvall, who’s also very good in the film.
This classically structured screenplay is clean and uncluttered and contains darker themes than the advertising materials suggested in 1996. The term Capra-esque, often used to describe this type of film, has been replaced in the modern era by Spielbergian. Phenomenon is a movie that could be categorized using either of these terms. The small-town Americana represented in this film may not be realistic, but it’s comforting to see. Phenomenon re-establishes Travolta as one of the era’s top Movie Stars and a exceptional actor.
Directed by: Jon Turteltaub
Written by: Gerald Di Pego
Starring: John Travolta, Kyra Sedgwick, Forest Whitaker