THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 10, 1995 TAG: 9511100054
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TAMAR ANITAI, TEENOLOGY MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
WHAT IF I could cook? What if I got 1,600 on my SATs? What if there was no war? What if everyone walked around naked? What if I could use all of my brain all of the time?
The movie ``Powder'' answers all of these questions. Well, OK, not all, but the latter: What if humans used every part of their brains?
After being struck by lightning while still in the womb, Powder is born an albino, devoid of pigment. What he does have is an IQ that is off the charts, not to mention a fully retentive memory, psychic and telepathic abilities and a hotline into electromagnetic fields, making the use of radios and television difficult.
When the death of his protective grandfather thrusts him into the hands of local state authorities, Powder, by now a teenager, faces the real world for the first time. The ghostly-pale wonder is alone in both his appearance and his overwhelming mental capacities. His inability to communicate with others and his ability to read the thoughts and understand the emotions of others isolate him.
The message here is that we cannot understand each other unless we understand ourselves. Ironically, Powder's clear understanding of this concept and the of the interconnectedness of human beings puts him light years ahead of everyone else. Despite society's technological advancements, everyone else is behind Powder when it comes to human relations.
The story itself is beautiful but clumsily written. There are many unanswered questions, and too much time was spent developing less interesting characters and story lines, sacrificing the development of more integral and important characters.
More insights into the mysterious Powder would have created a more well-rounded movie. Also, the dialogue sounded a bit too much like a high school play. Perhaps if the focus was more on intimacy than on broad special effects, the movie could've taken on a deeper meaning.
The cast was eclectic. Sean Patrick Flanery played Powder with marked softness, hesitancy and fear. Mary Steenburgen and Jeff Goldblum highlighted the small cast. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Tamar Anitai is a junior at First Colonial High School.
by CNB