Films are product of entertainment industry and their purpose is to change viewer's mood for the better. Yet, at some cases, films don't change viewer's mood; instead the viewer appreciates them based solely on his or her mood during watching. If the viewer feels good, than the film looks good. If the viewer feels bad, than film looks bad. Such films are, by definition, failures, but they nevertheless can be quite entertaining in right circumstances. The author of this review had one such experience with Phenomenon, 1996 science fiction comedy by Jon Turtletaub.
The protagonist of the film is George Malley (played by John Travolta), quiet car mechanic from small North California town. The only exciting thing in his otherwise boring life is Lace Pennamin (played by Kyra Sedgwick), beautiful divorcee he unsuccessfully tries to court. After his 37th birthday celebration he gets struck by mysterious beam of light and soon finds himself equipped with previously unknown mental abilities - he begins reading couple of books per day and learns foreign language in half an hour. Those abilities develop through time and George can predict earthquakes and move objects at will. Despite all that, George Malley tries to live normal life, but the townsfolk begins to fear him. The only people who trust him are his best friend Nate (played by Forest Whitaker) and kind- hearted Doc Brunder (played by Robert Duvall). George's problems multiply when the government begins showing interests for his abilities.
Phenomenon is not particularly intelligent film nor very original. The basic idea behind Gerald Di Pego's script could be traced to Daniel Keyes' classic science fiction story Flowers for Algernon (adapted into 1968 film Charly). Director Jon Turtleatub, who made decent job with his romantic comedy While You Were Sleeping one year earlier, was less interested in scientific or sociological aspects of the plot, and concentrated more on its romantic elements. The result is the film that could, depending on the viewer's mood, could be described either as life-affirming celebration of humanistic values or as inexcusable exercise in Hollywood sappiness. If the viewers opt for the former, that would be result of some fine acting. John Travolta probably enjoyed playing the role of simple, kind-hearted blue-collar man, so different from tough gangsters he was supposed to play following his Pulp Fiction triumph, and that enjoyment reflected in quality of his role. Robert Duvall and Forest Whitaker also did good job playing supporting characters. All that acting can't compensate for some serious problems with plot's plausibility and structure, but it would make the Phenomenon experience at least bearable for the audience. That is far from phenomenal, but for Hollywood films of this kind it represents quite an achievement.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on November 4th 2003)
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