Powder (DVD, 1999)

He was born after his mother was struck by lightning and raised by his elderly grandparents on a farm where he remained socially isolated. Powder's grandmother was his home school teacher who instilled in him an insatiable ability to be self-learned. He became more than a genius.

The problem is that Powder is an Albino young high school aged man who has now lost both of his grandparents to death. Of course, the state agencies and local Sheriff's deputies attempt to take over Powder's life. The deputy is a bigoted supremacist who the Sheriff proclaims to, "I didn't know anyone could be too white for you."

An attractive social worker tries to integrate Powder into high school where he is mercilessly taunted. But Powder has magnetic energies and certain powers that are exceptional and out wits the bullies. Even so he hates living off of the farm because the society he's been forced into is far too violent and abusive towards all living things, including him.

When one of his teachers does an experiment with electricity, it nearly kills Powder. But it is the start of Powder's first real friendship with anyone: his teacher.

One of the special powers that Powder has is to transfer energy from one being to another. After he does this to the bigoted deputy who has just shot a deer in front of the high school bullies, Powder grabs the deputy's arm and comforts the deer as it dies allowing the killer deputy to feel exactly what the deer is feeling. After the Sheriff hears this, he takes Powder to his home where his wife lays in bed unable to communicate dying of cancer. Powder channels her final wishes and statements to the Sheriff, thereby reuniting him with his estranged son.

This film should be mandatory in every middle school and high school. In every police and Sheriff's department. In every public service agency too. Because it is makes a profound modern indictment against a wide variety of US social violences, most especially bigotry. It should also be mandatory for anyone who is seeking out the US Presidency.

Suspension of disbelief is a staple of fictional cinema, but this movie expects us to believe that a human teenager can read minds by empathy, has an unmeasurable I.Q., AND is a highly volatile natural lightning rod.....Still, it was an engaging movie due to fine performances by actors Jeff Goldblum and Mary Steenburgen (who I like anyway...she's a hottie...). This movie came out around the time that John Travolta did 'Phenomenon', and there are a number of parallels that both movies seemed to engage. (Prescient knowledge, empathic responses, almost supernatural powers, et al.) I liked the movie; it's in my 'Keep Me' collection, but I wish it were a bit more....possible?