Product Description

An ordinary man experiences a piercing, bright light one night and soon begins to develop powers and intelligence beyond normal human capabilities.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: PG
Release Date: 4-FEB-2003
Media Type: DVD

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3667 in DVD
• Brand: TRAVOLTA,JOHN
• Released on: 1997-12-03
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English, French
• Subtitled in: Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 123 minutes

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

Travolta's Best
I love this movie. It will always be part of my permanent collection for its timeless brilliance and beauty. I know that at times it can be a bit sappy or outdated as some have mentioned, but I have watched this movie dozens of times and have yet to be disappointed. It is interesting, thought provoking, romantic and emotional. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

My favorite performance from Travolta.
I saw this movie, fell in love with this movie.
Touching and heartfelt from start to finish.
The psychic abilities don't detract from the story, it just makes it more interesting.
Brilliant performances from the cast, good direction, good pacing.
A great family film, maybe not for the very young though.
Phenomenon is easily one of the best Hollywood has given us.
Highly recommended.

Suprisingly Good
When i bought this movie, I really did not know what to expect. I had been told it was a good movie, and that is all i had to go on. In the simplest terms, it is a great movie, although just shy of the five out of five mark. I consider this one of John Travolta's best performances. There was enough humour to keep me satisfied but it did not draw away from the drama of the movie. I urge you to watch this movie... you want regret it.