Phenomenon (1996)

Director:

Jon Turteltaub

Writer (WGA):

Gerald Di Pego (written by)

Release Date:

3 July 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Fantasy

Tagline:

Some things in life just can't be explained.

Plot:

An ordinary man sees a bright light descend from the sky, and discovers he now has super-intelligence and telekinesis.

Plot Keywords:

Psionic Power | Love | Ham Radio | Pajamas | Courage

Awards:

7 wins & 7 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sun. July 27	9:50 AM	TBS
Mon. July 28	12:00 AM	TBS

Cast

John Travolta	...	George Malley
Kyra Sedgwick	...	Lace Pennamin
Forest Whitaker	...	Nate Pope
Robert Duvall	...	Doc Brunder
Jeffrey DeMunn	...	Prof. John Ringold
Richard Kiley	...	Dr. Wellin
Brent Spiner	...	Dr. Bob Niedorf
Vyto Ruginis	...	Ted Rhome
Bruce A. Young	...	FBI Agent Jack Hatch (as Bruce Young)
Michael Milhoan	...	Jimmy
Sean O'Bryan	...	Banes
David Gallagher	...	Al Pennamin
Ashley Buccille	...	Glory Pennamin
Tony Genaro	...	Tito
Troy Evans	...	Roger

MPAA:

Rated PG for language and mild sensuality.

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (FotoKem)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | Netherlands:MG6 | Philippines:G | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Austria:12 | Finland:S | Germany:12 | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Auburn, California, USA

Company:

Touchstone Pictures

Trivia:

Nate Pope (Forest Whitaker) is an Amateur Radio operator with the call sign WB6QLF. QLF is amateur shorthand for "I am sending with my left foot", a reference to someone whose Morse Code sending skill is very bad. This is normally sent as a question "QLF?" meaning "Are you sending with your left foot?" to an operator who is very difficult to understand in Morse.

Goofs:

Continuity: Toward the end of the movie, George is with Lace's kids doing maintenance on the truck. You see them finishing the job and tightening down the cover of the air filter. In the next scene the FBI agent looks under the hood and the air filter is disassembled.

Quotes:

Doc: Every woman has her chair, something she needs to put herself into, Banes. You ever figure out what Lisa's chairs were and buy 'em?
[pause]
Doc: Nope. But, you're right about one thing, George never changed.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Be Kind Rewind (2008)

Soundtrack:

Everyday is a Winding Road

An Inspiration!

An ex-girlfriend talked me into seeing this movie, and I am happy she did. In my opinion, John Travolta deserved at least a nomination for an Oscar here, if not the award itself. The story was decent, but the performances of Travolta, Forest Whitaker, Robert Duvall, and Kyra Sedgwick made me care about what was happening on the screen. By no means is this a romantic comedy. It's romantic, probably the most romantic film I have seen in a long time. The reason for that is simple...it's real. In most movies you see the main characters sleep together within a day at the most, which rarely happens with two people who are really in love. True love has to take time and effort, which is exactly what you see here. Travolta's George is patient, but not because he wants to be. If you're a romantic at heart you will understand and relate to him, and you will hope for his success as you would for your own. Without giving anything away, I will tell you that the ending is sad, but also heartwarming. George has his "experience" for no other reason than to suggest what we as humans can become. Phenomenon is a story about our potential, the good and bad things that can happen to us if we achieve it. We could only be so lucky, and watching the movie is a good start. I give it 8 out of 10 stars.