Call this one "Edward Powderhands," since "Powder" owes more than a little to Tim Burton's "Edward Scissorhands" (and maybe something to "Nell," as well.) And like that film, "Powder" is a sweet allegory with enough laughs, thrills and charm to get over the rough spots.
"Powder" is the nickname of teenager Jeremy Reed (Sean Patrick Flanery), who is discovered in the cellar of an old Texas farmhouse after his grandfather dies at home. But Jeremy is not an abuse victim — and he isn't locked in the cellar.
He's just been kept out of the sunlight — and the limelight — because his eyes are sensitive and his grandparents didn't want him to be subjected to public scrutiny. Jeremy is what you might call "special," as he was born with a unique form of albinism — skin so white that he looks as if he's made of talcum. He also has no hair on his body.
But there's something else that is "special" about him, and gradually it is revealed that Jeremy's mother was struck by lightning just before giving birth, and the boy's chemical structure is now somehow imbued with electrical energy. He also has a genius IQ that is off the charts.
After he is found by Sheriff Barnum (Lance Henriksen), Jeremy is taken under the wing of Jesse Caldwell (Mary Steen-burgen), who runs a local boys home. Jesse wants to help him, but, of course, Jeremy is taunted by the bullies in her care.
Using his natural "energy," Jeremy tries to be win the boys over by causing silverware to stack itself in the cafeteria, but it only adds to their view that he's some kind of "freak." And later, in a school classroom, it doesn't help when teacher Donald Ripley (Jeff Goldblum) performs a science project that results in Jeremy's being levitated.
The lad is also harassed by deputy sheriff Duncan (Brandon Smith), who makes a derogatory remark about Jeremy when he sees him for the first time, prompting the sheriff to comment, "I never thought we'd find a man too white for you." And later, in what is sure to be the film's most talked-about moment, Jeremy uses his unusual powers to force Duncan to "feel" the pain of a deer the deputy has fatally wounded during an impromptu hunt.
Most of the way, "Powder" is gentle and amusing, as Jeremy affects the lives of those around him, but the film might have benefited from being set in the past. There is no media circus here, and even in rural Texas, events like those that surround this boy would certainly attract tabloid interest. ("Edward Scissorhands," you may recall, benefited from its vague setting, sort of present-day-with-'50s-trappings.)
And aside from Jeremy himself, the rest of the characters are far too underdeveloped — we never learn anything about Jesse or Donald, though Steenburgen and Goldblum are, obviously, the "name" cast members. But this doesn't matter a lot, since the film hinges almost entirely on the title character. Fortunately, Flanery (best-known as TV's "Young Indiana Jones") is up to the task, playing the character in a low-key manner, easily demonstrating Jeremy's inherent innocence and intelligence.
Unfortunately, the fantasy of the film, sensitively written and directed by Victor Salva, has given way this week to the filmmaker's troubled past (see sidebar story below). If you can get past that, the movie itself is well worth a look.
"Powder" is rated PG-13 for violence, nudity, profanity and vulgarity.