Phenomenon (1996)
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50% of critics liked it
(34 reviews) -
62% of users liked it
(93,291 ratings)
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… More 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 awakens, George has incredible intellectual powers. He checks books out of the library in armfuls, becomes an inventor, a psychic, has telekinetic powers, predicts an earthquake, and memorizes Portuguese in minutes. Using his newfound powers, George becomes a hero, but he can't totally win over the spooked townsfolk or the standoffish Lace (Kyra Sedgwick), a single mom burned by love once too often. As George's kindness breaks down Lace's reserve and a romance begins, his fame spreads, bringing him to the attention of the FBI and curious university scientists. Similarities between George's powers and the alleged benefits of Travolta's religion, Scientology, led to charges that the film was veiled pro-Scientology propaganda. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Directed By
- Jon Turteltaub, Brent Spiner
- Genres
- Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy
- In Theaters
- Jul 5, 1996 Wide
- Studio
- Disney
Critic Reviews
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Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
For a movie that's ostensibly about intelligence, Phenomenon proves to be rather simple-minded.
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Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
Gentle tearjerker about sudden mental superpowers.
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Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Flawed story, but compelling story does hook one.
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Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Pretty lame Scientology type stuff.
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Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Bittersweet.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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John Travolta
as George Malley
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Kyra Sedgwick
as Lace Pennamin
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Forest Whitaker
as Nate Pope
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Jeffrey DeMunn
as Professor Ringold
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Robert Duvall
as Doc
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Richard Kiley
as Dr. Wellin
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James Anthony Cotton
as Cal
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Cab Covay
as Taunting Man at Library Fair
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Troy Evans
as Roger
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Tom Fridley
as Agent
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Ellen Geer
as Bonnie
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Tony Genaro
as Tito
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James Keane
as Pete
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Susan Merson
as Marge
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Michael Milhoan
as Jimmy
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Sean O'Bryan
as Banes
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Carl Parker
as Man in Orchard
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Vyto Ruginis
as Ted Rhome
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Mark Soper
as Reporter
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Brent Spiner
as Dr. Niedorf
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Bruce Young
as Jack Hatch
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David Gallagher
as Al
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Richard Gross
as Customer at Malley's
- Daniel Zacapa
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Beth Kennedy
as Celia
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Eric Tignini
as Agent
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Ashley Buccille
as Glory
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Jewel Benedict
as May
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Betsy Berryhill
as Woman at Bar
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Sage Callaway
as Female Officer
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Mariann V. Carothers
as Furniture Store Owner
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Jack Chouchanian
as Technician 1
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Claudia Crespin
as Woman in Crowd
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Justin Dipego
as Intense Man at Library Fair
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Michael Forner
as Man at Bar
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Anni Long
as Major Benz
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Tony A. Mattos
as Ella's Father
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Joseph A. Nicosia
as Man at Bar
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Elisabeth Nunziato
as Ella
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Dan Partain
as Man at Bar
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Will Prater
as Helicopter Pilot
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Isaac Reiswig
as Man in Crowd
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Mark Valim
as Alberto
