Supernatural `Powder' teaches lessons in self-knowledge
Although this may sound a little far-fetched, director Victor Salva chose to explore this idea in his movie Powder . In doing so, he manages to take an implausible storyline and create a touching movie about the potential of humanity. Without the pretentiousness of the typical Hollywood blockbuster or its budget for that matter, Powder succeeds in eliciting great emotion which stays with the audience long after they leave the theater.
The story begins with the birth of Powder (Sean Patrick Flannery) and his mother's death. It is immediately apparent that there is something different about this particular baby. He is raised by his grandparents because his father finds his albino skin repulsive. The movie follows Powder (whose real name is Jeremy) after his grandfather dies and he becomes a ward of the state. Obviously, a great deal of the movie concentrates on Powder's isolation resulting from his special powers and unusual appearance. Being much more advanced than the average person, Powder's conflicts with the other characters in the movie represent the inherent faults in mankind. Powder is a higher being capable of feeling and understanding things about people that even they themselves do not understand. Powder teaches people about themselves.
Flannery's strong and believable performance carries the movie through its rough spots. He is as good as any seasoned actor, but he has a difficult task: the movie's success depends upon his character. He acts well even though it would have been easy to rely upon makeup and clichés.
Not all of the cast gives such un- forgettable performances. Mary Steenburgen plays a concerned social worker whose presence just confuses the audience. Jeff Goldblum plays a science teacher interested in the electricity in Powder's brain. There is nothing wrong with his acting, but his character is useless. It's as if Salva created the part just to get Jeff Goldblum in his movie.
Don't expect to be blown away by spectacular cinematography or a star-studded cast or an award-winning score. Powder is a simple story about the human condition. We were touched by Powder's predicament: He's a boy too good for this world. The end, albeit a little cheesy, was emotional enough to leave the audience wiping their eyes.
If you're tired of movies with $20 million dollar budgets and overpaid, arrogant actors, you might give this sweet, simple film a whirl. It's an electrifying experience, so to speak.
This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the November 3, 1995 issue.
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