Phenomenon (1996)
Average Rating: 5.9/10
Reviews Counted: 34
Fresh: 17 | Rotten: 17
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 5.5/10
Critic Reviews: 6
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 5
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3/5
User Ratings: 93,291
My Rating
Movie Info
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
Jul 5, 1996 Wide
Jan 15, 2002
Disney
Watch It Now
Cast
-
John Travolta
George Malley -
Kyra Sedgwick
Lace Pennamin -
Forest Whitaker
Nate Pope -
Jeffrey DeMunn
Professor Ringold -
Robert Duvall
Doc -
Richard Kiley
Dr. Wellin -
-
Cab Covay
Taunting Man at Library... -
Troy Evans
Roger -
Tom Fridley
Agent -
Ellen Geer
Bonnie -
Tony Genaro
Tito -
James Keane
Pete -
Susan Merson
Marge -
Michael Milhoan
Jimmy -
Sean O'Bryan
Banes -
Carl Parker
Man in Orchard -
Vyto Ruginis
Ted Rhome -
Mark Soper
Reporter -
Brent Spiner
Dr. Niedorf -
Bruce Young
Jack Hatch -
-
Richard Gross
Customer at Malley's -
-
Beth Kennedy
Celia -
Eric Tignini
Agent -
Ashley Buccille
Glory -
Jewel Benedict
May -
Betsy Berryhill
Woman at Bar -
Sage Callaway
Female Officer -
Mariann V. Carothers
Furniture Store Owner -
Jack Chouchanian
Technician 1 -
Claudia Crespin
Woman in Crowd -
Justin Dipego
Intense Man at Library ... -
Michael Forner
Man at Bar -
Anni Long
Major Benz -
Tony A. Mattos
Ella's Father -
Joseph A. Nicosia
Man at Bar -
Elisabeth Nunziato
Ella -
Dan Partain
Man at Bar -
Will Prater
Helicopter Pilot -
Isaac Reiswig
Man in Crowd -
Mark Valim
Alberto
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All Critics (48) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (17) | Rotten (17) | DVD (5)
For a movie that's ostensibly about intelligence, Phenomenon proves to be rather simple-minded.
Gentle tearjerker about sudden mental superpowers.
Flawed story, but compelling story does hook one.
Pretty lame Scientology type stuff.
Bittersweet.
Touching supernatural thriller that works thanks to compelling performances from its stars.
New Age crap
Audience Reviews for Phenomenon
Super Reviewer
I did not mind it - somehow it is a satisfying movie - perhaps the wish that one can solve all the world's ills.
Super Reviewer
-
- George Malley: I'm what everyone can be. Anyone can get here. I'm the possibility. What I'm talking about is the human spirit. That's the challenge. That's the voyage. That's the expedition.
-
- George Malley: Will you love me for the rest of my life?
- Lace Pennamin: No, I 'll love you for the rest of mine.
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There was speculation that this film had ties to Scientology, but I really wouldn't know, nor do I care to get involved in that discussion. I just remember my dad saying (sometime back in the 90s), that this was the only Travolta film (at that time at least), that he thought was any good. I didn't, and still don't agree with that, but it is a pretty good film nonetheless.
I liked that this regular guy gets powers just out of happenstance, and how the film concerns him and everyone else around him, having to deal with the positive and negative consequences of this situation.
It's been forever since I've seen this, so my memory of it is hazy, but I seem to recall that, while it does have fun with him messing around with his powers, it actually takes the situation seriously too, and mostly does so without being too heavy handed.
The performances are good, the concept quite nice, and in the end it makes you all warm and fuzzy, and all that mushy stuff, so if that sounds good to you, then give it a shot.