Powder (1995)

There so many good things in this film, so many elements that come together (emotional, visceral and otherwise), that it's an outright shame "Powder" isn't a better picture. An albino youngster--psychic, telekinetic, and more brilliant than anyone on Earth--is found orphaned in a rural home and is brought out into the cold, cruel world for the first time in his life. Writer-director Victor Salva wrings every ounce of emotion from the tender scenes, but he lays the schoolyard bully stuff on mighty thick. The terrific finale is nearly overshadowed by the nasty events that precede it (which are not only puzzling, but overwrought). That's the trouble, I think: "Powder" is a careful, gentle, insightful, sincere little movie derailed every now and again by heavy-handedness, and a plot that follows every cliché down the path to predictability. Still in all, a moving finish, and all the acting is quite solid. **1/2 from ****

Fmovies: Sean Patrick Flannery is an incredibly under rated actor after this remarkable performance he gave in "Powder", while the story is very dark and just not pleasant, he really gave it his all into this film and you can see how emotionally connected he is in it. We also have Mary Steinberg and Jeff Goldblum who give their all into their characters, I just think they were not that well developed enough. They could have had a little more.

The movie starts off with a mother and father rushing into labor, only on the way, unfortunately is struck by listening in a massive thunderstorm. She does not survive, but the baby does and the father is not only devastated but rejects his son. Sean plays Jeremy or as most people call him, "Powder" due to him being an albino. He is hidden in his grandparent's basement and has never been out of the house. When his grandmother passes, Jessica Caldwill, played by Mary Steinberg, convinces Jeremy that he must leave and they'll give him and home and school to attend. He does leave and slowly progresses towards what he thinks may be a better life.

When Donald Ripley, a school teacher, has the I.Q. results for Jeremy for his school, he is amazed. There is no score high enough for Jeremy, he's smarter than Albert Einstein. He can memorize book pages word for word, he knows agonizing math problems, and knows the pain of the world. He also has a mysterious power where he if he is exposed to electricity, he gets electrocuted. He also has the power to make people feel the same pain as they inflicted unto another, he also can read minds. Unfortunately, this isn't making him very popular with the jocks of the school who brutally torment him not just mentally but physically. There is only really Donald, Jessica, and another girl Lidnsey who want to be his friends. Only he's just not willing to except this world of pain when so many people doubt and torture him like Doug Barnum who is the town's sheriff and just thinks Jeremy is a freak. His wife is unfortunately dying and comes to Jeremy to ask for a favor and to help him find out what his wife wants. This scene is so extremely touching and tearful. The scene that got to most to me is when the boys go on a hunting trip and the coach shoots a deer for sport and are just laughing at this poor deer dying. Jeremy then takes his hand on the deer and his other hand on the coach and the coach starts to have somewhat of a seizure, and he made the coach feel the same pain he put on the deer. Poetic justice and well deserved I thought.

"Powder", despite being depressing, is a pretty decent picture worth viewing if you are in the mood for a sappy flick. But trust me, it is worth the it, you get a great performance that deserved more praise by Sean, also the same with Mary and Jeff. The acting just takes this movie to where it should be.

7/10

I honestly can't understand why some people disliked, or even hated this movie. I absolutely adore this movie. I think the acting is great (but then I again, I happen to love both Jeff Goldbloom and Lance Henrickson), and I also feel that Sean Patrick Flanery put on an awesome performance. This movie resonates with anyone who was the underdog in school, as I, and many were when they were young. The story is touching, emotional, and liberating. I don't think I've ever watched this once without crying. Add to that the spectactular soundtrack (which some movie-watchers often overlook), and this movie is right up there on my own "Best of All Times" list. If you haven't seen this, I only ask that you ignore the negative comments until you've had the chance to watch it yourself and make up your own mind... you might be pleasantly surprised.

Powder fmovies. If someone explained the plot of Powder to me, I would assume it was some sappy, simple, over emotional clap trap, from someone like Spielberg. Yet when I actually saw the film, I found it to be deep, intelligent and very moving.

There are some things wrong with the film, a number of the characters are stereotypes and some parts of the plot are a little unexpected. If you ignore these simple problems, the quality of the direction and acting shine through, to provide an excellent film.

I very rarely say this, but I think, Sean Patrick Flanery's performance is one the most remarkable I have ever seen. Tender and awkward, without looking false.

Overall an excellent film, but maybe for the more mature viewer.

I love this movie. Beautiful, amazing, heartwarming. It just goes to prove, looks are worthless. I cry several times throughout this movie every time I watch it.Wonderful movie, period! (Not to mention he's physically attractive, but thats another story all together.) But man, I wish it were real! The most odd looking people are usually the most intelligent and kind. That proves correct in most cases. I feel his sadness watching him, and the beginning is heartbreaking. The other characters in the movie, I really dislike for their treatment of him. Ignorance is bliss, but harmful. But I don't see how these other people can rate it a 5. something! I can't comprehend that, there is nothing wrong with it!

A story that encapsulates where we as a race are heading for a very bad outcome indeed. As clearly stated in the film by Jeff Goldblum's character, " when technology surpasses humanity". We as a species are in severe danger and crisis over how we perceive what our lives are truly about. We are losing our humanity by advancements in our technology that serve only to relieve us of harnessing our one true purpose that makes us unique within our humanity........Choice. The film also shows that a pure and unique individual is not accepted within those who are already lost of their own humanity. I find myself relating to 'powder' in many ways, albeit minus his physical and other obvious electrical abilities. But I do understand his humanity and choice to make humane decisions that do affect all of us. And his feeling of isolation and not 'fitting in' to his fellow kind. Hopefully one day we can be at a point where our humanity will rise above our technological demands, otherwise we are on a roller-coaster ride to self destruction. Good film,good message.