Kyra Sedgwick Movie:

Editorial Review:
John Travolta's should've-been-nominated-for-an-Oscar performance is the best reason to see this largely moving work, which is a little reminiscent of the novel Flowers for Algernon (basis for the film Charly). Travolta plays a mechanic who sees a bright light in the sky one night and wakes up the next morning a genius, hungry for knowledge and so smart he figures out national defense secrets in his own living room (and gets in hot water for it). The more interesting drama, however, is not with the government but with the character's longtime neighbors and friends, who come to reject him for being different. Robert Duvall gives a stirring performance as a doctor who has known the hero all his life, and Kyra Sedgwick is very good as an ambivalent love interest. If you missed this one in the theaters, then you haven't seen one of Travolta's best performances since his comeback. The DVD release presents a widescreen image, optional French soundtrack, optional Spanish subtitles, and theatrical trailer. --Tom Keogh

Phenomenon [Region 2] Reviews:
Phenomenon
2009-06-14 - Nice movie, but for some reason, this film has one of the worst
soundtracks I have ever come across.

He works in a garage, and after "seeing the light", he become, a genius:
There has to be more to life than fixing cars.
This movie is about mind over matter(s) of the heart.

An intelligent man seeks, and receives, wisdom.

God is Love. If you have ever been IN love, then you know that Love
is a FEELING, which may or may not express itself as an action. To
call love a verb is to say, Just DO as you are told...Everything is fine,
just fine...Go back to sleep...When a nurse helps somebody tie his
shoelaces, is she doing it because that is her function, or because she
cares about somebody who has difficulty with his shoelaces?...To love
another, is BOTH an obligation and something to be freely given,
without the expectation of something in return. But you can HOPE to
receive...

OBLIGATION: He tries to convince the psychiatrist who keeps him
sedated, that it is wrong to experiment on humans just to gain
information (or intelligence) about how their brains work, for the
"social good". That he, the psychiatrist, has an obligation not to
inflict harm on his patients: Pain is an objective concept. You
don't get to choose your kryptonite...Whereas pleasure is
subjective, what do you delight in?...He tries in vain to get the
psychiatrist to see that it is wrong to treat a person as an
economic resource.

'A thing FREELY given', that is to say, You cannot EXPECT something
in return, but you can HOPE to receive: She says to him, "Well,
I notice the picnic table, the wine, and the blanket, are you
expecting something? He says, Nope...Just hoping.

They want to examine him:
To say that somebody is not operating at his full potential, who
should get to make that decision? Ever hear of 'labour productivity metrics'?
What is the difference between "profit maximization" and "increasing
productivity" if the results (actions) are the same?

A book mentioned in the movie, is 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' by D. H. Lawrence.
Interesting choice.

How to Be Gentle
2009-03-28 - I hadn't seen Phenomenon in several years. I always liked it, but the most recent viewing was the most satisfying. The mental powers thing was what made it interesting the first time I saw it, but now I take that aspect as a device for getting to the central theme (at least for me) of how to be gentle with people even in circumstances where one might become angry, bitter, vindictive, or even "superior".

Too Nice At Times
2009-03-27 - John Travolta as George Malley in "the Phenomenon" plays a very likable average Joe who has a burst of genius and insight which gives him unique powers.
Travolta and the other actors are very effective. Robert Duvall as the town doctor and Forest Whitaker as the buddy are extremely affecting. Travolta's infectious smile makes the movie worth watching. He wins you over with his wonderful smile and bubbly personality. He's a nice guy amid nice people living in a nice town. The movie at times seems to be in danger of collapsing from its huge weight of niceness. It's a flick that some will find insufferable because of its chronic cuteness and terminal niceness. Some may find the movie subversive.
There's a core of simplicity that could have drowned it, but somehow you surrender to its good nature. Toward the end of the movie we realize that George could eventually be in danger from the mob (the public) because he has become a unique individual, hence a freak, someone different who may pose dangers to others. He could become threatening.
A movie worth watching. Inspirational, touching, and enlightening.


Heart rendering
2009-01-28 - This is a film which will both melt your heart and stimulate your mind, it is very well acted out, and the plot is rich with thought and provocation, altogether, this film is a Masterpiece. The relationships acted out in the film are beautific and will enthrall the viewer, albeit, one must be prepared for the melancholy and the sanguin, as the film ends with both beauty and sadness.

If you love someone, buy their chairs
2009-01-16 - I watched this again for about the fourth time and it always gets me. The plot requires some forceful suspension of disbelief, but the characters, the acting, and the emotional territory explored by the film are believable and affecting. I love the gentleness, humor and forgiveness of human foibles; at times it almost feels informed by the work of Steinbeck. The love story is sweet, but the friendships John Travolta has with Robert Duvall and Forest Whitaker are perfect. Viewing is enhanced by lovely sets, scenery and cinematography and a pleasant soundtrack. Corny for sure, but in this case I don't mind a bit.