PHENOMENON

 

THREE STARS – Thought-provoking

 

 

       If we were only more intelligent, then our problems would all be solved.  Or would they?  Are the problems we have with love and trust, with purpose and meaning caused by our lack of intelligence, or do they come from a spiritual problem?

       In fact, it is the experience of many highly intelligent people that their intelligence only creates a greater distance between themselves and others, leaving them brilliant but lonely.

       In a predictable film which is nevertheless full of charm, the issue of our identity is once more explored.   Like other films of this genre, “Phenomenon” creates a situation in which a human being experiences a new level of existence.   In this case, it is the transformation of a sincere and caring auto mechanic named George Malley (John Travolta).

       On his 37th birthday, Malley experiences an unexplained phenomenon.  As a consequence of his experience, he becomes brilliant.   He can learn and think and create at a level which is far above any other human being’s ability.

       But what is he to do with such brilliance?  To what does he apply his thoughts?

       That is a fascinating question.  Similar to the question ‘What would you with a million dollars?’ the film explores the question what would a normal person do who suddenly became a mental millionaire?  Where would he or she spend their brilliance?

       George spends it on fertilizer.  It is a fascinating answer.  Rather than suddenly applying his thoughts to topics that had never interested him, George thinks about what is already in his life.  He loves to garden, and his best friend is a farmer, and he is fascinated by the photosynthesis of sunlight and the growth of plants, so he develops a powerful, effective fertilizer.

       What would we do with sudden brilliance?  What are the interests of our lives on which we would spend our new mental abilities?

       Sadly, George appears to have  no spiritual depth or awareness outside himself.  So when brilliance comes to him, he does not apply his abilities to transcendent questions.  However, he does begin to explore the questions of his own existence. 

       This is the most promising aspect of the film.  Though it is not transcendent in any religious way, it is humanistic in its affirmation of the human spirit.

       For  George, people are important and loved.  This basic value was present in his life before the phenomenon occurred, and it was only more able to be expressed following the phenomenon.

       Before the change, we see George working to learn the language of his friend and coworker, so that he can communicate in his friend’s native tongue.   We find him being adopted by a fatherly country doctor (Robert Duvall) who appreciates the sensitivity of his soul.  And we find his friendship with his best friend Nate (Forest Whitaker) as having a texture which nourishes us as we see their care for each other.

       But George is particularly drawn to  a young, damaged woman named Lace (Kyra Sedgwick).  As she shuns his love, it becomes obvious that a deep pain in her life has caused her to isolate herself behind a protective wall.  Although the phenomenon almost gets in the way of this relationship, it is this final place of love with Lace that touches the soul of George.

       George begins to understand that all human beings are connected in a deep and abiding way.  Just as the energy which dwells in every atom of every object is the same and can be invited into a  telekinetic dance with his own body’s energy, he also comes to understand that every human is connected in a deep and abiding network of life itself.  But when he attempts to communicate his insights of the interdependence of all human beings to the people of his town, they respond predictably.  They  are both afraid and in awe, attacking and worshiping him.

       This exemplifies the greatest shortcoming of the film.  Although over 95% of Americans believe in God,  the film glaringly leaves this out of George’s life, or the life of anyone else in his town.   Even when George is dying and he affirms the fact that he is not going to cease to be but is going on to a changed existence,  there is no exploration of the larger spiritual reality that this existence implies.

       Though “Phenomenon” is a thoughtful film, it could have been a powerful film if it had gone deeper in its exploration  not only our human interdependence but of our transcendent relationship to God.         

 

 ________________