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Phenomenon (1996)

PG  |   |  Drama, Fantasy, Romance  |  3 July 1996 (USA)
6.4
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Ratings: 6.4/10 from 60,839 users   Metascore: 41/100
Reviews: 113 user | 52 critic | 17 from Metacritic.com

An ordinary man sees a bright light descend from the sky, and discovers he now has super-intelligence and telekinesis.

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Writer:

(as Gerald Dipego)
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Title: Phenomenon (1996)

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7 wins & 8 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
...
Prof. John Ringold
...
Dr. Wellin
...
Al Pennamin
Ashley Buccille ...
Glory Pennamin
...
Tito
...
Banes
...
Jimmy
...
Roger
...
FBI Agent Jack Hatch (as Bruce Young)
...
Ted Rhome
...
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Storyline

John Travolta plays George Malley, who owns the local auto repair shop in a small California town. After celebrating his birthday with friends at the local bar/hang-out, George heads for home. He pauses to watch a strange light in the sky, then collapses for a few seconds in the middle of the deserted street. In the days and weeks that follow, George finds his IQ and consciousness expanding dramatically, and develops telekinetic abilities. Despite his attempts to explain what has happened to him, with just a very few exceptions, most of the local townspeople treat the "new" George as a freak. His state of isolation becomes even more pronounced when his new-found abilities allow him to correctly predict an earthquake, and outside authorities become interested in what's happened to him. Written by - written by: R. Merriman <wyldberi@msn.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Some things in life just can't be explained.


Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and mild sensuality | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

3 July 1996 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Fenomen  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$32,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$16,200,000 (USA) (5 July 1996)

Gross:

JPY 144,935,600 (Japan) (24 January 1997)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

|

Color:

(FotoKem)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Assuming the man in Bob's question is from California, then the question is answered at 12:12pm on July 25th, 1996. See more »

Goofs

When George opens the gates to his garden to let the rabbit out, there is more than enough room under each gate for a rabbit to enter or leave his garden at will. See more »

Quotes

Doc: Every woman has her chair, something she needs to put herself into, Banes. You ever figure out what Lisa's chairs were and buy 'em?
[pause]
Doc: Nope. But, you're right about one thing, George never changed.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Be Kind Rewind (2008) See more »

Soundtracks

Touch Me in the Morning
Written by Ronald Miller and Michael Masser
Performed by Diana Ross
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

More than it might seem to be
8 October 2003 | by (Burke, Virginia) – See all my reviews

I think any movie that can be described as both (a) a Scientology recruiting pamphlet, and (b) an analogy to Jesus' life has to be a bit out of the ordinary. In some ways, this film reminds me of another seeming science fiction movie that really turned out to be about people's response to the unusual: `Charly' In both films an extraordinary increase in intelligence frightened the people around the main character; they just couldn't deal with it and feared him for it. The love story was a gem. Lacy had obviously been badly hurt by a past relationship, and simply didn't want to encourage George's love. But when he began to be hurt by the way some of his friends treated him, she warmed and opened her heart to him. The way George tried to describe how he looked at things differently and saw relationships that he'd never seen before reminded me of classical descriptions of the act of creativity in many fields. And it's a sad thing but true that we are all capable of concentrating harder and focusing on things to achieve more, but it's very difficult, and more often than not, we tend to take the easier road. Good thought-provoking flick.


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