The Phenom

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2:27

The Phenom

Released Jun 24, 2016

1h 30m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

38%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

A sports therapist (Paul Giamatti) tries to help a troubled rookie pitcher (Johnny Simmons) who grew up with an abusive father (Ethan Hawke).

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Critics Consensus

Powerfully acted and emotionally affecting, The Phenom proves a baseball movie can step away from the mound and still deliver a heater down the middle.

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Steve Greene

IndieWire

When Buschel narrows his focus and has a handle on these characters' essences, there are flashes of greatness. All he needs is a tighter grip.

Rated: B-

Jan 1, 2017

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Scott Marks

San Diego Reader

This "love me daddy" baseball pic that earns points for spending less than 5 percent of its time on the diamond and refusing to end in open competition...so far as the playing field is concerned.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 1, 2016

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Frank Scheck

The Hollywood Reporter

It's Hawke who gives the film its dramatic urgency.

Jun 24, 2016

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Jason Best

Movie Talk

Ethan Hawke is making a habit of playing flawed fathers, but his feckless dads in Boyhood and Ten Thousand Saints appear positively benign in comparison with the toxic parent he plays in [this] psychological sporting drama.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 17, 2017

Full Review

Argun Ulgen

PopMatters

Buschel is clearly on the right track to fully embracing the limitations of conventional structures in storytelling. When he does, it could lead to a minor masterpiece, which at times The Phenom flirts with.

Rated: 6/10

Jan 1, 2017

Full Review

Dustin Putman

TheFilmFile.com

There is a stronger, deeper, fuller motion picture to be made from this material. Earnest though it is, this one is decidedly far from phenomenal.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 25, 2016

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Audience Member

Disappointing as it had potential, but just never seems to deliver, you keep hoping it will get better and it never does

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Audience Member

A disappointing movie. The actors were good, the filmography was entertaining but the scripting and the direction were a letdown. It was disjointed, plot directions seemed to disappear and the 'psychology' didn't make anything especially clear. The final scene didn't explain much and the ending - abrupt and incoherent - was very annoying. This movie was a wasted opportunity.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Audience Member

Horrible ending. Not worth the time

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/15/20

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Audience Member

I love baseball but there is no point to this movie. A complete waste of time!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

To me, extremely powerful fantastic movie. I really enjoyed every aspect. The screenplay, direction and especially the acting makes this one of my all time favorites. I believe a movie is at its best when it makes you think, makes you feel. This movie does both. Bravo!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

this movie fucking sucks, I would rather sit and stare at a wall than and let my imagination wander than watch this film again, the cinematographer must have had adhd because the angles and camera work could've have been done better by a quadruple amputee.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

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Noah Buschel

Director

Johnny Simmons

Hopper

Ethan Hawke

Hopper Senior

Paul Giamatti

Dr. Mobley

Sophie Kennedy Clark

Dorothy

Alison Elliott

Susan Gibson

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The Phenom: Trailer 1

2:27

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Synopsis

A sports therapist (Paul Giamatti) tries to help a troubled rookie pitcher (Johnny Simmons) who grew up with an abusive father (Ethan Hawke).

Director: Noah Buschel
Producer: Jeff Rice, Jeff Elliott, Antonia Bogdanovich, Kim Jose
Screenwriter: Noah Buschel
Distributor: RLJ Entertainment
Production Co: Best Pitcher, Crystal Wealth, Bron Capital Partners
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 24, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2017
Runtime: 1h 30m

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