Powder
Tags: revenge, cult, romantic, flashback

Plot synopsis:
Jeremy "Powder" Reed is an albino young man who has incredible intellect and is able to sense the thoughts of the people around him. Jeremy's brain possesses a powerful electromagnetic charge, which causes electrical objects to function abnormally when he is around them, particularly when he becomes emotional. The electrical charge also prevents hair from growing on his body.
Jeremy's mother was struck by lightning while pregnant with him; she died shortly after the strike, but Jeremy survived. His father disowned him shortly after his premature birth, and he was raised by his grandparents. Jeremy lived in the basement and worked on their farm, never leaving their property and learning everything he knew from books. He is taken from his home when his grandfather is found dead of natural causes. Jessie Caldwell (Mary Steenburgen), a child services psychologist, takes him to a boys' home because he is now effectively a ward of the state.
Jessie enrolls him in high school, where Jeremy meets physics teacher Donald Ripley. Donald finds out that Jeremy has supernatural powers as well as the highest IQ in the history of mankind. While his abilities mark him as special, they also make him an outcast.
On a hunting trip with his schoolmates, Jeremy is threatened with a gun by John Box (Bradford Tatum), an aggressive student who views him as a freak. Before John can fire, a gun goes off in the distance, and everyone rushes to see that Harley Duncan, a Sheriff's deputy, has shot a doe. Anguished by the animal's death, Jeremy touches the deer and Harley, inducing in Harley what the students assume is a seizure. However, Harley admits that Jeremy had actually caused him to feel the pain and fear of the dying deer. Because of the experience, Harley removes all of his guns from his house, although Sheriff Doug Barnum allows him to remain as a sheriff's deputy without a sidearm.
Doug enlists Jeremy to help speak to his dying wife through telepathy. Through Jeremy, the sheriff learns that his wife clings onto life because she didn't want to leave without her wedding ring on her finger and without him reconciling with his estranged son, Steven. She tells him that Steven found the ring and that it has been sitting in a silver box on her nightstand the entire time. Doug then places the ring on his wife's finger and reconciles with Steven, letting his wife die peacefully.
Jeremy meets Lindsey Kelloway (Missy Crider), a romantic interest, but their relationship is broken by Lindsey's father. Before the interruption, he tells Lindsey that he can see the truth about people: that they are scared and feel disconnected from the rest of the world but in truth are all connected to everything that exists.
Jeremy goes back to the juvenile facility and packs away his belongings, planning to run away to his farm. He pauses in the gym to stare at a male student washing, noticing the latter's luxurious head of hair as well as body hair which he himself lacks, and is caught at it by John Box, who accuses him of homosexuality. John steals Jeremy's hat and taunts him, but Jeremy reveals that John's words mimic what his stepfather said before beating him when he was 12, infuriating him. John and the other boys humiliate Jeremy, stripping him naked and taunting him. His powers begin to manifest by pulling at their metal buttons and any piercings. Eventually, a large spherical electromagnetic pulse erupts throwing Jeremy into a mud puddle and everyone else to the ground. John is found still, with his heart stopped. Jeremy uses an electric shock to revive him.
In the final scene, Jeremy returns to the farm where he grew up, now in probate with the bank, and finds that all of his possessions have been removed. He is joined by Jessie, Donald, and Doug, who persuade Jeremy to come with them to find a place where he will not be feared and misunderstood. Instead, he runs into a field where a lightning bolt strikes him, and he disappears in a blinding flash of light, possibly transcending earthly limitations and becoming pure energy (as Donald alluded to in an earlier conversation). The electrical jolt hits Jessie, Donald and Doug.

Review: In an age where movies have become multiple scenes of graphic violence and corny excuses for stories, Powder is refreshing, filled with the meaning of humanity, and moved me to tears throughout the entire film.
There are so many elements to this movie: The paranormal; the challenge to everything we think we know about science and the capabilities of the human mind; the human capacity for cruelty; love and forgiveness; and the hope that our own humanity will one day advance beyond our own technology.
Sean Patrick Flannery's performance was so powerful that one could actually feel the unconditional love within the heart and soul of the character that he played.
Even if you're a person who would prefer to sit down with a good book, as am I, the movie 'Powder' is definitely worth your time.
I think he's crotchety, annoying, and outdated; and the characters he chooses to play reminds me of the acclaim that Robert Redford always gets - undeserved.The film is about a young man who suffers a birth "defect" after his pregnant mother is struck by lightning and killed.
Our main character is highly intelligent, scared, telekinetic, and has an electric personality, not to mention he's an albino, too.A social worker, Jessica, played by Mary Steenburgen is called to take over the boy's case and he is placed in a group living situation in a home.
If you'll remember, it's the very next scene where they tell him he's a freak who is as "bald as a baby." He just wants to fit in, and it is at this point that I believe he realizes he doesn't.Overall, this film does bring a sense of wonder to the viewer.
He's showing the world that people are ALL different, and if we spent a little less time being so blocked and full of hate, we might come to realize this and appreciate the aesthetic value of the human soul.I gave this film a 7 out of 10 because I didn't like Lance Henriksen's performance at all, I thought some of the characters could have come through in the end (Why didn't his love interest stand up for herself against her father?
OK, so Sean does have pretty eyes, but, come on!On a side note, for those of you who think that the Deputy Sheriff's character was a "stereotypical" cop character, giving the police a bad name...I have relatives who are police in a small town like this one, and you should hear THEM talk over the dinner table.
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.
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.
The real credit has to go to both Sean Patrick Flanery and Lance Henriksen, they both succeeded in making their characters be both believable and human..
When I first heard of this film, my first reaction was "wouldn't watch it if you paid me", the reason for this was Mary Steenburgen that woman plays the same character in every movie, although I have to say she was good in this, but the real credit has to go to both Sean Patrick Flanery and Lance Henriksen, they both succeeded in making their characters be both believable and human.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If someone like jeremy was born 2,000 years ago,they may have named him Jesus Christ.If someone like jeremy was born on the 25th may 2012 they may label him as the second coming of Christ.This is a excellent movie with a lot of hidden meanings.One may be thinking where jeremy went to at the end of the movie.He did not die.He progressed to a higher from of life.Amasingly he transgressed tens of thousands of years of evolution within seconds.This movie reminds me of other similar movies like the green mile and peohonomen.Sean was a real treat to watch.I guess his role made the movie.hopefully sean will become a good actor after all.very well done..
My heart hurts really bad for Powder in the way he was treated and harassed by others, but most of all with a loving heart for the way he looked--his beautiful eyes that showed how his heart was feeling-- his soft voice that spoke with love-- his fragile body that was looking to be held.Someday down the road I hope to meet Powder so I can hug him and ask him to be my friend so I could be his friend,to let him know that their are people who love him and want to share their dreams with his dreams as to what life should be like.Powder is a very emtional movie that will stay in my heart forever.Whenever Powder said he wanted to go home in the movie I would yell thru my tears and hurting heart, LET HIM GO HOME.It's been three days now and and my heart still hurts for Powder.I believe this movie should be seen by teens and above, so people can see how physically and emotionally one can be hurt when harassed and not trusted, because for lack of better word, DIFFERENT.Sean Patrick Flanery is real in portraying Powder that you could feel his emotions and sadness in his heart.It's a shame that even in todays world people are treated in the same way that Powder was in the movie and want to go home---HOME BEING HEAVEN.Sean Patrick Flanery--Thank you and continued success..
But, once taken from his natal home into mainstream US society, he was taunted, harassed & made to feel like a freak simply because his physical appearance was a little different & his sensitivities were heightened.I rated this film a 10 because it has the solid potential to reach a wide audience including families with children; yet, an interesting enough plot to hold an adult's attention.
The message about tolerance from the film is powerful.It deals with a disability subject rarely, if ever, viewed in theaters or movies.
I love a movie that makes you think deeper into the obvious things in life.
I'm not sure how aware the majority of people are since like I had mentioned, I haven't seen this movie in 8 years and I have looked for it at video stores as well.
It makes people of all ages feel strong emotions while watching the film.
There is a young boy who is born with special powers, this turns out to be both a gift and a curse, it's the reason of his isolation, his loneliness, but it's also the thing that will set him free in the end and will open the eyes of a number of blind people.
A genius, endowed with the power to read people's minds as well as to feel people's pain, Powder knows his gift can bring utter good or utter evil to his life, and ultimately to the world.
This is a simple story, a universal one, beautifully written, very well directed, and most of all (credit to the fantastic cast) acted like all films should be, from the heart.
I suppose the film can be considered a real tear jerker, but not in a negative way, it quite simply strikes the cords of our deepest emotions, fears, passion, love, and hits all those nails on the head.
I was real careful for not giving any spoilers here, and you can probably read more about the movie anywhere in the internet, but I personally recommend Powder for everyone who thinks, feels and loves.
I loved the way Jeremy Reed, aka Powder could communicate with animals and feel pain of others and read minds and make other people feel the pain.
by Dane YoussefVictor Salva's "Powder" is the kind of movie that when you first read it's screenplay, you'd think to yourself...
We don't wanna go over people's heads." It takes a truly original character and plugs him into a movie as routine and unremarkable as the bullying, red-neck catalysts who flaunt 85% of the film's supporting roles.
But there are too many others that almost feel phoned in.Sean Patrick Flanery plays Jeremy Reed, nicknamed "Powder" is an amazing superhuman who is almost pure energy and conducts electricity better than water or metal.
There's a truly great scene where a redneck hick deputy sheriff (Brandon Smith) shoots a deer and Powder uses an empathy power so the deputy can feel the deer's pain and suffering.And another where Jeremy is getting involved with the only sweet girl in town and they have a moment where they share kind of Vulcan mind-meld.
Sean Patrick Flanery gives a very good performance, as does the rest of the supporting cast.Do yourself a favor and see this movie.
a confessed child molester, he compares himself to the main character of this film, this is how he felt in jail, well I'm sorry, an albino has a lot less choice than a dirty pedophile who actually molested a child while making his first movie, the horrible over rated clown house.this movie would actually be good if the director did not write the main character based of himself, a dirty old man.disgraceful director, and a bad person to even compare himself to an amazingly powerful character, this movie is mediocre, at best, it would be better if i had not have read the directors statements on this movie.
Very deep philosophical statements are made about the nature of humanity and its potential contrasted with the present state of social and individual issues which prohibit such advanced development being able to share the present environment.I think this film displays artistic visionary genius.I highly recommend it to any one who has a warm heart..
Henriksen is one of those actors who seems to have been around forever and he certainly has made his share of junk, but no matter what the movie he is in, he makes his character interesting and worth watching..
It is a good all around movie that has a message about mankind and it's humanity, as well as real age old problems that do exist for people who happen to be different.
Because i can't imagine that the movie itself and the performances of the cast would score such a low figure.There are too little movies that illustrate the (almost) supernatural gifts mother nature gives to mankind from time to time.I would recommend this movie to any person who love a good told story about a life of an extraordinary young man..
If this story is seen only as a fantasy movie, then it is just entertaining and touching, but I think this movie should be a kind of fable or metaphor, and if we make a little effort we can learn to be good to any living creature on this earth, just dont forget that we all die, and that life is short to waste it in hurting others..
This is most in part to the nature of the film and it only relating to teenagers of the time.Some other memorable performances were from Mary Steenburgen, who plays his caregiver after his grandfather dies, and Jeff Goldbloom, who plays the teacher who see's "Powder" more as a "science project" than a human being.In conclusion, if anybody out there wants see to a true classic that represents the 90's than this is movie for you.
There are very few films that take a simple storyline & deliver better than good performances but "Powder" breaks the rules.
Jeremy is happy for the first time since his grandparent's death, & now he can join them in heaven."Powder" will warm your heart & produce a few tears for those who love a different kind of "feel-good" film.
I hope that when this great leap forward actually happens, there will be people like the characters portrayed by Lance Henricksen and Mary Steenburgen to recognize them and help them to integrate into the history of humanity..
The music is moving, the photography is excellent, and there some very human, touching and spiritual scenes that will stay with you after the movie credits have rolled by.
I really love this film and think it was one of the unsung movies of the 90's.
You have a movie that looks like it could be a Carrie type movie but ends up showing the sad inability to treat Powder with any sense of humanity and dignity.
A unique story line.I can say with all of my heart, that this kind of movies, when taken seriously can make a difference in the hard world we live in nowadays.At least, it certainly changed my way of thinking on some things.A must see, for all of those out there who watch movies not for pure entertainment, but for those who want to see a movie, and can't stop thinking of what they saw, for at least a week..
It's a touching movie with a very good script and great performances (specially by Sean and Lance).
Powder not only supplies the viewer with an action packed movie but is also great stimulation about the way our world works and how we can make this little planet a better place, in other words, an eye opener.If there is but one movie you ever watch in your existence on this planet, let it be Powder.A quote:"Einstein  says that: 'It has become appallingly clear that our technology has surpassed our humanity'When I look at you, I believe that someday our humanity will actually surpass our technology..."You are welcome to e-mail me at cheeck@yahoo.com.
When he is crying for the world, it breaks my heart, because we are too hateful towards each other.I believe that this is one of the most touching, and inspiring movies i have ever seen.
Others in the cast are very good as well including Mary Steenburgen as the head of the school he is sent to, Lance Henrickson as the local sherrif in a more sensitive role for him, And finally Jeff Goldblum as the science teacher who realizes what the young man is and the potential of mankind to evolve into a more humane species.
He now is sent to a state orphanage and must deal with making friends and fitting in.The acting is great with Sean Patrick Flannery in the title role and wonderful supporting performances by Jeff Goldblum, Lance Henrikson and Mary Steenburgen.
But after a while, it becomes quite apparent that not only are some of the characters in this movie simply insipid, cardboard cut-out stereotypes, but also that Powder himself doesn't really seem to be a true "genius."  A real genius would blow off these simpletons, quit feeling sorry for himself, and walk with his bald head held high and proudly, with a stiff upper-lip and a resolve to USE his abilities to change the world for the better and help open up the minds of those who would walk obliviously under a cloud of ignorance.
For example in this film, Powder (Flannery) was an albino, and was tormented through the entire movie because of that fact.
I believe that this movie had very good performances, a nice story, and a wonderful message.
Sean Patrick Flanery gives a wonderful and gut-wrenching performance he makes you feel Powder's sense of isolation and his yearning for human connection.
This is a pretty touching film about a young, bald albino boy named Jeremy 'Powder' Reed (Sean Patrick Flannery) who has special powers that bewilders his community.Flannery plays Reed pretty brilliantly, generating the audience's sympathy as he deals with his special condition and deal with adversities coming from members of his community, who ridicule him for his looks and unusual abilities.
What makes the movie so special is its philosophy, its beautiful dialogue, its emotional impact, and two truly phenomenal performances by Sean Patrick Flanery and Lance Henricksen.
But every time I see it I think to myself how perfect it is, and that's a great feeling.If you have understood what I have just said then you should be able watch the film and find out exactly what I mean.
Behind the story of Jeremy Reed (nicknamed Powder), a boy with an extraordinary mind but socially unadapted, exists a deep message about compression, love, affection, life, death and the world we living.
it has been a long time since i've seen a movie that is sooo emotionally powerful, and one that relates well to what all humans want...to be accepted for who they are and a basic human need, touch.
Powder from 1995 stars Sean Patrick Flanery, Jeff Goldblum, Lance Henrikson, and Mary Steenburgen, all of whom give wonderful performances in this powerful yet derivative film."Powder" is the nickname of Jeremy, whose mother was struck by lightning while pregnant.
i can look at this movie and see past the film-making flaws to the message beneath.
No wonder Powder didn't trust many people throughout the movie.
Unless you like bad movies; then you must not miss "Powder."