Today’s quick review: Phenomenon. After a close encounter, George (John Travolta), a simple country mechanic, develops incredible intelligence and extraordinary abilities. He uses his newfound intelligence to woo his crush Lace (Kyra Sedgwick) and help his friends Nate (Forest Whitaker) and Doc Brunder (Robert Duvall). But the town’s admiration quickly turns into fear, and with his abilities developing further and further, George must find a way to regain control of his rapidly evolving life.
Phenomenon is a science fiction drama about a man who develops inexplicable abilities. Despite the science fiction premise, the focus of the film is on George and his relationships. George is a kind-hearted man of middling intelligence who becomes a genius overnight as a result of his strange experience. The change breeds as much awe as mistrust, and George has trouble adapting to the new facts of his life.
As a personal drama wrapped around a sci-fi premise, Phenomenon depends heavily on John Travolta and Kyra Sedgwick to carry the movie. John Travolta does a decent job as George, but his performance never quite tips over from kind but dopey man to active protagonist. For her part, Kyra Sedgewick plays a cold Lace with little chemistry with George. The outline of a nice relationship arc is there, but the substance of it never clicks into place.
Watch Phenomenon if you are looking for a lighter, more sentimental take on themes better explored in K-PAX and Limitless. The film delivers a few good sentimental moments but has weak characters and little overt plot. Phenomenon has enough going on that it is bound to catch a few viewers the right way, but most should skip it in favor of either harder sci-fi or more skillful romance.
6.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for spots of quality amidst generally lackluster execution.