Born to a mom who was hit by lightning while she was pregnant with him, a kid grows up and shows abilities and IQ like anyone has ever seen.
The year draws to a close, and, as always, I choose to watch films that, at some point in my life, meant something to me. Powder is one of them.
From the narrative’s point of view, it’s all about a special boy, and the physical and mental differences between him and the rest of the world make him a loner. Very well written and directed by Victor Salva, with excellent performances by Mary Steenburgen, Sean Patrick Flanery, Lance Henriksen, and Jeff Goldblum, and brilliantly composed by the late Jerry Goldsmith. Setup, confrontation, and resolution are meticulously developed, offering moments of self-realisation regarding what we know, what we think we know and how we deal with it. After everything is said and done, in the last scene, just ask yourself this: Where does Powder return to?
From sociology’s point of view, it tackles quite a few aspects… Our schools are incapable of handling different and, consequently, teaching anyone how to handle different. Our society is still in the dark ages, on an ongoing witch-hunt with modern torches and pitchforks. Our level of understanding about what is going on around us or what lies ahead is laughable. Yes, that especially includes the people we entrust to guide us. Finally, we cannot comprehend that we are not on top of the food chain, and we should stop acting like it and respect nature as much as we should respect one another despite our many differences, quirks, and foibles. You wanna make a change, but you don’t know where to start? I follow Michael’s advice: “I’m starting with the man in the mirror”…
P.S. I believe the film would have performed better if the director, Victor Salva, hadn’t been convicted of child molestation a few years before its release. Thus, much of the film’s “touching” was misinterpreted or interpreted inappropriately after the wrap. But please don’t see it that way because it has nothing to do with it. I don’t know how much that affected Salva’s career, as he kept writing and directing.
P.P.S. It is not mentioned why Doug is not speaking to his estranged son. Why don’t you all take a guess…
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