An extraordinary encounter with another human being.|Oct. 27, 1995|United States|111 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Drama;Fantasy;Science;Fiction;Thriller
Description: Powder, released in 1995, is an American fantasy drama film directed by Victor Salva, featuring Sean Patrick Flanery in the lead role alongside Jeff Goldblum, Mary Steenburgen, Bradford Tatum, and Lance Henriksen. The film centers around Jeremy “Powder” Reed, a young albino man with extraordinary intelligence, telepathic abilities, and paranormal powers. Jeremy’s unique condition stems from a powerful electromagnetic charge in his brain, which affects electrical devices and prevents hair growth on his body.
The story explores the boundaries of human potential and society’s capacity for cruelty, while also offering hope for greater understanding and empathy. Jeremy’s life begins tragically when his mother is struck by lightning during pregnancy, leading to her death shortly after his premature birth. Rejected by his father, Jeremy is raised by his grandparents on their farm, where he lives in isolation, educating himself through books.
When his grandfather passes away, Jeremy is taken from his home and placed in a boys’ facility under the care of Jessie Caldwell, a child psychologist. Jessie enrolls him in high school, where he encounters physics teacher Donald Ripley, who discovers Jeremy’s extraordinary abilities and unparalleled intellect. Despite his gifts, Jeremy struggles to fit in and faces ridicule and hostility from his peers, particularly from an aggressive classmate named John Box.
Powder delves into themes of isolation, acceptance, and the potential for human progress, set against a backdrop of scientific curiosity and moral complexity. The film was commercially successful but received mixed reviews and was overshadowed by controversy due to the director’s past criminal conviction.
Cast director: Victor Salva
Cast actor: Mary Steenburgen, Sean Patrick Flanery, Lance Henriksen, Jeff Goldblum, Brandon Smith, Bradford Tatum, Susan Tyrrell, Missy Crider, Ray Wise, Esteban Powell
Original name: Powder