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Mary Steenburgen, Sean Patrick Flanery, Lance Henriksen, Jeff Goldblum, Brandon Smith (I) ... see more see more... , Bradford Tatum , Susan Tyrrell , Woody Watson , Ray Wise , Missy Crider , Philip Maurice Hayes , Esteban Powell , Brady Coleman , Alex Allen Morris , James Houston , Barry Berfield , Chad Cox , Paula Engel , Reed Frerichs , Bonnie Gallup , Bill Grant-Minchen , Dee Macaluso , Joe Marchman , Dannete McMann , Tom Tarantini , Meason Wiley

This unusual modern-day fable concerns a super-powered teenager who inspires nothing but hostility in the small-minded folk of his hometown. Sean Patrick Flanery stars as Jeremy Reed, nicknamed "Powde... read more read more...r" because he is an albino. Powder has been living his entire 16 years in his grandparents' basement, but they have both passed away. The boy is removed from his home and placed in a school. There, science teacher Ripley (Jeff Goldblum) and psychologist Jessie Caldwell (Mary Steenburgen) discover that in addition to being an albino, their new student is the smartest person who ever lived with an IQ off the charts -- and that he is electrically super-charged, which renders him hairless. Powder also has miraculous powers of perception, ESP, and healing, which he uses to ease the death of the terminally ill wife of local Sheriff Barnum (Lance Henriksen) and to give a bigoted redneck hunter (Brandon Smith) a firsthand demonstration of the pain suffered by a deer he's just shot. Powder's gentle nature attracts a pretty coed, Lindsey (Missy Crider), but in spite of his Christ-like demeanor, Powder's abnormalities inspire hatred on the part of many bigoted citizens, especially school bully John Box (Bradford Tatum). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Flixster Users

67% liked it

50,516 ratings

Critics

47% liked it

19 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 51 min.

Directed by: Victor Salva

Release Date: October 27, 1995

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DVD Release Date: August 10, 1999

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Flixster Reviews (2,035)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    October 2, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    An average Sci Fi Drama film about a strange boy who has superpowers and who is an albino. Directed by Victor Salva, Powder boasts a strong cast but has an average story. The film is quite engaging and has effective dramatic elements. Sean Patrick Flanery stars as Jeremy "Powder"... read more Reed. Starring opposite Flanery is Jeff Goldblum and Mary Steenbergen. The other cast members are also great in their roles. Director Victor Salva has made a good film with an impressive, but somewhat lacking concept. The cast however hold this film together, and their acting saves this film from being a dud. I enjoyed this film, and thought that the plot was interesting and pretty engaging. Of course the story could've of used a bit of improvement, but for what it is; Powder is a good film that has some intense moments. What makes Powder a good film is the acting from its actors combined with a unique story. Sure the story could've used a bit more development, but for what it is, the film has an engaging enough story to keep you entertained. The film also boasts some impressive special effects. Powder is a good film with an engaging story. Despite that at times the film has a few downsides, for the most part; it succeeds at delivering a good enough story to appeal to me. Not an excellent film, but quite good considering that the film was a bit clumsy in parts.
  • moonrivers
    March 28, 2011
    moonrivers
    What I particularly enjoy about this thinly disguised retelling of the Christ tale is the ending wherein "the Savior", rather than sacrificing his life for the unknowing and uncaring masses instead runs for his very sanity away from them, from us ... what I see as a more realisti... read morec close, but then I'm told I'm cynical.
  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    July 26, 2010
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    Watched this again recently, and it's a very solid film with a great performance by Flanery. But it's really hard not to cringe at a few "questionable" sensual scenes that director Victor "pedo" Salva decided to impliment.

    Low profile dude... low profile!
  • stormyweather980
    September 14, 2009
    stormyweather980
    Rather lame idea, just shaving the head of an actor and Michael Jackson'ing him head to toe, I mean bleaching him, but it somehow all works. Pretty good drama film of a unique character.
  • deano
    January 11, 2008
    deano
    This tale of understanding and friendship is occassionally heartwarming of an enigmatic white-skinned albino who emerges from the shadows.
  • FilmFanatik
    November 20, 2007
    FilmFanatik
    Very dark and powerful film.
  • timandterrybarker
    July 31, 2007
    timandterrybarker
    Wow, here's a movie that had completely excaped my memory. I hated the crap out of it!
  • Camus123
    July 17, 2007
    Camus123
    We are all inextricably bound to one another. This goes beyond the mere similarities of the mortal coil. We are one with each other and the world. The universe and everything in it is composed of energy, "never ending, ever transforming." There is a light inside you...just as the... read morere is in everyone and everything. What stops us from seeing this "oneness" with the world? What stops us from receiving this energy and giving it as well? Fear. Doubt. Shame. We are stopped at the source and bound to our inhibitions...our fear of being vulnerable and held wide open for all to see. Powder opens you and lets you into his world. It may be scary, but the truth is often scary. A highly enlightened being (to be likened to Buddha or Christ if you please), he has no social experience save what he has learned in books. We watch as he navigates the waters of humanity (or inhumanity) in the shell of an albino boy shunned by most, feared by many, and very alone. This movie will leave you in awe. It is as perfect for family viewing as it is for viewing alone or with a friend. This is a movie that has the potential to change you...for the better. Perhaps one day we will witness Powder. I, for one, truly hope so
  • superclerk25
    July 11, 2007
    superclerk25
    I like it. The cast was cool and the story was excellent. I liked the effects.
  • puffchunk
    January 25, 2007
    puffchunk
    Great movie about human kind's cruelty against what they don't understand. Powder was a perfect human, and it shows how we are not ready for perfect people.

View All Powder Reviews

Critic Reviews

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

Performed to the hilt by Flanery and filmed with conviction by Victor Salva, the movie is finally too solemn to survive its pushy musical strings.

Michael Dequina
January 8, 2005
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

Pretentious, uninvolving headscratcher that aims to be tragic and uplifting and falls way short; the only thing it'll lift is your butt from your seat midway through the film. Full Review

Fred Topel
December 28, 2003
Fred Topel, About.com

Okay drama, could have been more moving

Ken Hanke
October 2, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Interesting film that's just a little too much like an expanded X Files episode

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
August 28, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Offbeat drama about a mystic with strange powers and a compassionate service of others. Full Review

Joe Leydon
June 6, 2008
Joe Leydon, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Caryn James
May 20, 2003
Caryn James, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

April 12, 2002
Globe and Mail

Click to read the article Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Click to read the article Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

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    • Powder: One of the most underrated films of all time. Science, religion, lessons of life and love, forgiveness and beauty. Powder changed the people of that town and this movie would change anyone who watched with an open mind and heart. The mind is like a parachute. It only works when it is open.
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Powder : Watch Free on TV

Powder Trivia

  • In The Movie "Powder" Sean Patrick Flannery Plays What Kind Of Person?  Answer »
  • Which movie is the story of an albino teenager who has special powers?  Answer »
  • In "The Wirard Of Oz", the man who was originally supposed to play the Tin Man was hospitalized when he got poisoned from aliminium powder!  Answer »
  • In Wayne's World, what does Wayne mean by 'baking powder'?  Answer »
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