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Phenomenon (1996)
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Synopsis
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
Cast
Jeffrey DeMunn
Professor Ringold
Richard Kiley
Dr. Wellin
Kyra Sedgwick
Lace Pennamin
John Travolta
George Malley
Robert Duvall
Doc
Forest Whitaker
Nate Pope
Production Crew
Bruce A. Miller
Art Director
Wally Pfister
Camera Operator
Renee Rousselot
Casting
Phedon Papamichael
Cinematographer
Wally Pfister
Cinematographer
Thomas Newman
Composer (Music Score)
Betsy Cox
Costume Designer
Jon Turteltaub
Director
Bruce Green
Editor
Charles James Newirth
Executive Producer
Charles Newarth
Executive Producer
Jonathan D. Krane
Executive Producer
Geoff Hansen
First Assistant Director
Geoffrey Hansen
First Assistant Director
Hallie D'Amore
Makeup
Barbara Boyle
Producer
Michael Taylor
Producer
Garreth Stover
Production Designer
Gerald Di Pego
Screenwriter
Jay R. Hart
Set Designer
Lori Rowbotham
Set Designer
Richard Fernandez
Set Designer
Thomas Newman
Songwriter
Ronald Judkins
Sound/Sound Designer
David M. Blitstein
Special Effects
Ken Ralston
Special Effects
Sony Pictures Imageworks
Special Effects
Jeff Cadiente
Stunts
Year: 1996
Runtime: 124
Country: USA
MPAA Rating: PG
for language and mild sensuality
Category: Feature
Genre
Drama
Fantasy
Produced by
Buena Vista
Touchstone Pictures
Release
by Buena Vista
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