Phenomenon (1996)

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

Director:

Jon Turteltaub

Writer:

Gerald Di Pego (as Gerald Dipego)

Stars:

John Travolta, Kyra Sedgwick, Forest Whitaker

7 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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
David Gallagher	...	Al Pennamin
Ashley Buccille	...	Glory Pennamin
Tony Genaro	...	Tito
Sean O'Bryan	...	Banes
Michael Milhoan	...	Jimmy
Troy Evans	...	Roger
Bruce A. Young	...	FBI Agent Jack Hatch (as Bruce Young)
Vyto Ruginis	...	Ted Rhome
Brent Spiner	...	Dr. Bob Niedorf

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

telekinesis | genius | psionic power | brain tumor | terminal illness | 

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Taglines:

Some things in life just can't be explained.

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and mild sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 July 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fenomen

Filming Locations:

Petaluma, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$32,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,200,000, 7 July 1996, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$104,636,382

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$152,036,382

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (FotoKem)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kyra Sedgwick, Sean O'Brien, and Tony Genaro appeared in Heart and Souls (1993).

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Goofs

Just after George (John Travolta) gets zapped he returns to the bar to finish a game of chess. He moves his queen and his opponent makes two moves off screen. The two views of the board show they were a rook and knight move. However, the claim was a queen capture. In fact, no player was in position to get the queen.

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Quotes

Doc: [Doc sits on the side of George's hospital bed looking sorrowful] "God damn it. Somethin' happened about 25 years ago when you broke your leg and I set it, George. I don't know what to call it, but uh, somehow you got into my heart more than most. And f... and for a man who's never been a father, I sure feel like I'm losing a son. Yeah. Georgie. Yeah."

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Alternate Versions

NBC network television version features alternate/new footage not present in the theatrical and home video releases.

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Connections

Featured in The Oprah Winfrey Show: Summer Movie Reviews (1996)

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Soundtracks

Misty Blue
Written by Bob Montgomery
Performed by Dorothy Moore

User Reviews

Shot in the dark

Well I approached this movie with trepidation thinking this was going to be some pseudo babble about higher powers and higher beings. Instead I was pleasantly surprised without being blown away. Basically this is the story of George Malley (Travaolta) a small town mechanic who though an unexplainable phenomenon becomes able to function of a higher level, gaining the ability to process information like no other human being. This plays out affecting all his relationships and drawing attention from the wider world. There is lots to like here and Travolta is earnest enough, and maybe this is just me but I really struggle to accept him as a small town mechanic he is just not every day enough for me to carry of these sort of roles. But on the plus point he is supported by the ever wonderful Robert Duvall and Forrest Whittaker and his best friends. This has a good message at its core without being spectacular at anything. Would I watch it again. On a rainy day yes and preferably with my wife.