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Phenomenon (1996)

PG | | Drama, Fantasy, Romance | 3 July 1996 (USA)
Phenomenon Poster
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An ordinary man sees a bright light descend from the sky, and discovers he now has super-intelligence and telekinesis.

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Writer:

(as Gerald Dipego)

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
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7 wins & 8 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... George Malley
... Lace Pennamin
... Nate Pope
... Doc Brunder
... Prof. John Ringold
... Dr. Wellin
... Al Pennamin
... Glory Pennamin
... Tito
... Banes
... Jimmy
... Roger
... FBI Agent Jack Hatch (as Bruce Young)
... Ted Rhome
... Dr. Bob Niedorf
See full cast »
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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. Written by - written by: R. Merriman <wyldberi@msn.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

telekinesis | genius | psionic power | brain tumor | terminal illness | See All (65) »

Taglines:

Some things in life just can't be explained.

Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Romance | Sci-Fi

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and mild sensuality | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

3 July 1996 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Fenomen  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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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
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show more on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(FotoKem)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

At one point, Wolfgang Petersen was attached to direct. See more »

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. See more »

Quotes

Banes: [speaking about George's transformation] He never really changed at all. Isn't that right Doc? I mean he never really got any smarter. Doc?
Doc: Banes... how's your lady love?
Banes: We... um... we broke up.
Doc: Really? That's too bad, yeah. Now George has a love at his side and she is sticking with him. You know why? Because he bought her chairs. That's pretty smart to me. You ever buy Lisa's chairs?'
Banes: Doc's real drunk tonight.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Hello, He Lied & Other Truths from the Hollywood Trenches (2002) See more »

Soundtracks

Misty Blue
Written by Bob Montgomery
Performed by Dorothy Moore
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why didn't George Malley real all the neurobiology books he could, to invent a procedure to save himself?
See more »

User Reviews

 
This will forever be my favorite John Travolta movie!
24 July 2004 | by – See all my reviews

This movie shows John Travolta at his best. I think his performance here should have been nominated for an Oscar. What a lovely, powerful film. It's a paean to all the geeks in the world. George is clearly beloved by his fellow residents, but after he sees THE LIGHT, he becomes a misfit because of the changes in him. Those changes mean he becomes an insider, a stranger in a strange land. He becomes even more precious than he had been in the first 11 minutes of the film. He is at once bewildered and amazed at the changes in him. He is fascinated by every aspect of the world, and the viewer goes willingly on the journey with him. I have probably seen this movie ten times since its release in 1996. I will always regard this film as my favorite John Travolta movie and my favorite Kyra Sedgwick movie.
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