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

[20:40] 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. WB6QLF is a real call sign belonging to a Charles B. Roblin of Victorville, California. There is also a QSL card in the background, with the call sign "K6KAP". This is a real amateur ("ham") radio call sign that belongs to Mach Myovich of Merced, California. Much of the radio equipment shown in the movie was purchased from the Ham Radio Outlet store that he was managing in Oakland, California.

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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

Banes: What else do you know, George?
George Malley: Well, I know you're on the outs with Lisa again.
Banes: [dumbfounded] How'd you know that?
George Malley: Well, when she's living with you, she makes sure your clothes match.

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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

Referenced in Flick (2000)

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Soundtracks

A Thing Going On
Written by J.J. Cale
Performed by J.J. Cale

User Reviews

Augmented Human Interest

I'm not usually inspired to review your average hollywood fare, but I was moved by this film. Not only did it portray dramatic tension between one who is experiencing 'supernatural' awareness and their hokey, small-town friends, but Phenomenon also gains rank by being one of the first few films with a completely 'open mind.' I attribute its existence to the film Powder, which came out a few years ago, and I am honestly looking forward to more innovative dramas in a similar vein.

It will probably not become a classic, but it deserves to be seen in its time. Perhaps the honesty of this film will inspire other, greater filmmakers with more influence to change their ways and provide more thinking elements in their films.

Watch it with a loved one on a Saturday night.

A good alternative to show those boyfriends who are caught up in their own male-ness. Try this before plopping in Gone with the Wind. It may bridge the gap.