# Powder (1995)

### reviewed by
Pedro Sena

    FILM TITLE:               POWDER
    DIRECTOR:               VICTOR SALVA
    COUNTRY:                 USA 1995
    CINEMATOGRAPHY:         JERZY ZIELINSKI
    MUSIC:                      JERRY GOLDSMITH
    CAST:                        Sean Patrick, Mary Steenburgen, Jeff Goldblum,
    Ray Wise
    SUPER FEATURES:         Excellent story.

             !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This film, if not a power house, is really a surprise. It catches you when you are not ready for it. And it is a heart breaking story, the kind that one wishes had a better go at it, though we can see from the start that it is nearly impossible.

And it takes a cast of focused actors to bring something like this to life, and make it work.

With a terrible title, that does not do its story, or anything in the film any kind of justice, this film really hits home at the differences between many of us, be they just ethnocentric, or just plain, physical conditions that are difficult to overcome.

Powder is the story of a boy that has been kept in captivity since his birth, because he has a terrible skin condition that prevents him from catching much sunlight. And he has been kept in a basement for most of his early years, until one day when the caretaker grandparent dies. He has been well taught, can read, and do many things, that otherwise, most can not do. He also has some apparent abilities with lightning, or most forms of electric energies, which he is capable of exchanging energies with. And it is the psychic abilities and powers that eventually gets him some attention.

He is placed in school, and becomes the laughing stock, but he also learns there, that while those who are physically stronger than him may hurt him, he can hurt them with something else. And he wastes no time putting that energy to good use, from teaching a sheriff's deputy a large lesson in life, about the misuse of guns, and the breaking of the law.

And, as the sad story continues, he meets a girl that comes to like him, and vice versa, only to have her taken away from him in the end of the film, like he is not deserving of anyone at all. And this sends the film into its climactic end.

POWDER is a sad film, but one that can not be ignored much, as its strengths are beauty, of the kind that most films, can not even touch. Some hint at it, this film shows it. And though much of it is in the characters' minds, sometimes, the moments are just breath taking, and totally special, to the point of making your skin crawl. Were this not handled deftly by a director that can understand these things, this would have become a who cares story. As it is handled, with so much affection, it is inspiring, something that just isn't found in to many movies nowadays.

Mary Steenburgen is very good as a bit of the protective mother that she is becoming. Jeff Goldblum, though always appearing fake, comes off as interesting as a teacher that is just surprised, as is the whole class, by the example of electricity that they have been shown. And he spends the rest of the film trying to figure it all out, at least the connection between mind, body and the electrical happening which he witnessed.

But the spoils in this film go to the character of Powder, and the young girl he meets, with whom he can not have a relationship on account of a terribly protective father.

But the rest of the film is amazing, and a terribly enjoyable trip. We can sense that this film, or character can not win, but we know that while he is around, everyone is going to sample something that they will forever remember. I dare say that we will, too.

    Very strong content.
    Excellent acting. Not overboard at all.
    4 GIBLOONS
    Copyright (c) Pedro Sena 1996. All Rights Reserved.

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