X
- 2016
- Not Rated
- RLJ Entertainment
- 1 h 28 m
- 2016
- Not Rated
- RLJ Entertainment
- 1 h 28 m
Summary When major-league rookie pitcher Hopper Gibson (Johnny Simmons) can't find the plate, he's sent down to the minor leagues and begins sessions with an unorthodox sports psychologist (Paul Giamatti). In the process, hidden conflicts with his overbearing father (Ethan Hawke) are brought to light.
Directed By: Noah Buschel
Written By: Noah Buschel
- 2016
- Not Rated
- RLJ Entertainment
- 1 h 28 m
- 2016
- Not Rated
- RLJ Entertainment
- 1 h 28 m
The Phenom
66
6.1
Where to Watch
Summary When major-league rookie pitcher Hopper Gibson (Johnny Simmons) can't find the plate, he's sent down to the minor leagues and begins sessions with an unorthodox sports psychologist (Paul Giamatti). In the process, hidden conflicts with his overbearing father (Ethan Hawke) are brought to light.
Directed By: Noah Buschel
Written By: Noah Buschel
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
66
80% Positive
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
20% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
66
80% Positive
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
20% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
The Phenom unfolds as a series of quiet, incisive conversations that showcase subtle, insightful performances.
A welcome surprise for sports cinema, The Phenom handles itself like Robert Redford's "Ordinary People" when exploring the psychology of a Lebron James or Johnny Manziel-like sports sensation.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 13 User Ratings
6.1
54% Positive
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
31% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
15% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 13 User Ratings
6.1
54% Positive
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
31% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
15% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
This isn't get as good reviews as it should be getting from the audience. The movie does a great job going into the mind of a professional athlete. The acting was amazing, and I really did enjoy myself.
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An interesting story line about what goes wrong with the psyche of an athlete. In this case, we have an over the top father well played by Ethan Hawke. Why does everyone hate his movies? We see others around the athlete who support him well, the high school coach, the psychiatrist, the agent. Makes you wonder how many athletes like this guy never made it because they did not have the support group.
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Noah Buschel shows that formula can be repurposed to serve empathetic ends without losing its self-actualizing appeal.
Writer-director Noah Buschel (he was behind the Corey Stoll boxing drama “Glass Chin”) has crafted an odd little film that is sometimes compelling, sometimes maddening.
If there’s an MVP, it’s Simmons. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” alum tosses off another subdued performance, a good counterpart to Hawke’s more over-the-top coiled rage.
The Phenom may be choppy, but it’s saying something sincere about how the pressure to be thought of as a winner can be an athlete’s most formidable opponent.
The director and writer, Noah Buschel, has no fresh insights to add to the well-worn dynamic and doesn’t give the actors or the audience much to work with.
This movie tries too hard to succeed it fails, as ironic as that sounds. I so wanted to like this flick and see where it tries to go but shan't spoil the show by expanding further in this short review.
Ultimately this film failed to captivate whilst not quite being absolutely without merit I am sorry but I'd have to say that I do not recommend it unless you are looking for a nice short flick to put on to pass the time. The Phenom scores an extra point in my rating for having a sub 90 minute run time...
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Hopper Gibson (Johnny Simmons) is in a position that every little boy dreams about. He is a star rookie pitcher in Major League Baseball. His numbers and talent are off the chart, when all of a sudden, he can't find the strike zone. There is nothing wrong with him physically, so the team sends him down to the minors and puts him to work with the top sports psychologist in the country. I really don't understand professional critics and what they look for when they rate a film. Take The Phenom for example, this film has got to be the slowest and most boring sports film I've ever seen, yet it has an 80 on Rotten Tomatoes. There was very little sports action in this film and the fast majority of it consisted of this guy sitting in a room talking to a shrink! Yes, the shrink was played by Paul Giamatti, who is an unbelievably talented actor, but why the hell would anyone want to watch some dudes therapy session? When he wasn't in therapy, he should be on the field, but no, he's dealing with his over barring father, who is fresh out of prison. Who plays this bad ass, bullying his pro-athlete son, who is in peak physical condition? A very old looking, very tattooed, Ethan Hawke and I really wasn't buying that for a second. There were some talented actors in this film, no doubt, but The Phenom was 88 minutes of talking and nothing more, what in the hell is so great about that? This film was as boring as movies get, so unless you're a die hard Paul Giamatti fan, I would absolutely let this one pass you by.
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