'Phenomenon': Or, How to Make Use of Good Manure

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a meager mortal humanoid named John Travolta was renowned for his abilities to sing, dance, and act for the entertainment of the masses, who—while sometimes critical of his work—still applauded his talents as well earned and for which he worked hard.

Unfortunately, since then, Travolta—along with an equally acclaimed peer, actor Tom Cruise—became more famous for a bizarre attraction to a somewhat small but disproportionally influential cult of secretive people who adhered to an exceedingly strange philosophy, which dubbed itself “Scientology”, based on the pseudo-metaphysical writings of late science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. Sometime before being dismissed as out of his gourd, Travolta made a film more than suggestive of his growing attraction to the marriage of the worlds of spiritualism and science fiction, an unsubtlely allegorical piece with the overt misnomer of Phenomenon.

Originally released in 1996, coinciding with the rise of the television phenomenon known as The X-Files and the optimistic first presidential term of Bill Clinton, Phenomenon tells the story of how a simple, small-town, animal-loving mechanic (who just so happens to do a little carpentry on the side) named George Malley (Travolta) becomes a superhuman, miracle-working, savior-like being after observing an unidentifiable flashing occurrence in the heavens minutes before the midnight ending of his 37th birthday. Thinly veiled as a metaphor for the New Testament travails of the Western world’s most controversial figure, Jesus Christ, George’s story does not try very hard to mask the notion that godlike potential lies within the heart of every person ... that is, if only he or she is so fortunate as to be bestowed that gift from the benevolent light shows of similar UFOs throughout the world.

Shortly after witnessing his own heavenly birthday present, George begins to stun his friends and neighbors with his growing mental capabilities, just as Christ tried to prove his credo with an array of munificent miracles. For example, George demonstrates his potential to solve almost all the world’s problems by revealing to his best friend, the transparently named Nate Pope (Forest Whitaker), novel inventions such as an organic fertilizer that yields an exponentially increased amount of fruit and vegetation, automotive engines running on garbage and manure that achieve over 90 mpg, and solar-powered cells based on photosynthesis thousands of times more efficient than those currently patented, thereby saving humanity from all its hunger, energy, and environmental troubles.

When he proves to the skeptically minded Doc (Robert Duvall) his telekinetic abilities and finds a missing sick child through telepathy, George is not merely depicted as akin to the Christian Savior, he’s actually better: After all, Christ simply put out a few profound parables; George is a superman of action—just like Scientology promotes.

It’s not too hard to see all the comparisons and contrasts between George’s greatness and Christ’s, just like one could see how love interest Lace Pennamin (Kyra Sedwick) could be aligned with concept of Mary Magdelene’s being Christ’s mortal wife, particularly when she washes George’s hair (just as Magdelene washed Jesus’ feet). Phenomenon‘s attempt to promote the underlying theories of Scientology as patently more applicable and understandable than those of pretty much any other worldview, suggests John Travolt

Great Cast, Plot and Production Values

This is a little gem, with a terrific cast. John Travolta plays an "average Joe" (George) transformed into a genius by a flash of white light. Kyra Sedgwick is a reclusive, fragile divorcee who he loves from afar. Robert Duvall is his father figure and Forrest Whitaker is his long-time friend.

How does George handle the change? How does everyone else? The guy in my life thinks Phenomenon is a bit of a chick flick, but the movie's tone is more consistent with Travolta's blue collar character - gentle, but not a sissy.

The movie's pace is tight and the characters and dialogue are down to earth and believable. Travolta's acting versatility shines through once again - his character is miles from the one he played in Face Off.

Phenomenon

This movie was a good movie. Even though I am never one to watch movies based on magic powers, this one was a great one to watch. I knew it had to be good to have John Travolta starring in it.

George Malley (Travolta) plays a country boy with telekinetic powers after being hit by something shooting from the sky. George tries to help out people thinking he's doing good for the town. The town folk is not so sure and soon becomes afraid. He soon discovers its a large growing brain tumor thats giving him this ability.

I would recommend this movie for older children and adults.

Phenomenon

I saw this movie more than 10 years ago and loved it, and it was on TV last night pretty late, so I watched it again. I want my 9-year old son to see it. It's really, really fascinating and it's something I can show to a child of 9 years. I've never seen anything like it before. In this movie, John Travolta actually had a role that required a really good actor, and he certainly hit a home run. Kyra Sedgwick is also really good, as is George Whitaker. You can't miss this one!!

Phenomenon (DVD, 1997)

An ordinary mechanic, John Travolta, in a small California town has a bit of a close encounter on the night of his birthday. He sees a strange very bright light that is almost blinding. The next day, he has remarkable clarity and the ability to think and reason like never before. Suddenly, he starts having ideas about inventions and this terrible desire for knowledge. Before long he is reading four or five books a day, learning languages in a matter of hours, and developing telekinetic powers.

Soon, universities want him for tests, and the government, fearing him to be a security risk, is afraid to let him stay free. His friends and the townspeople are afraid of him, and doctors want to do experiment on his brain. All he wants is to find out what is going on and why it is happening to him. He falls in love with a local woman, Kira Sedgwick, and only wants to be left alone. His friend and doctor, tells him that the reason for this remarkable clarity is a very large tumor on his brain that is killing him. He spends his last days with her finally able to accept his fate.