The Phenom

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2:27

The Phenom

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

01/01/2017

B-

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.

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Scott Marks

San Diego Reader

07/01/2016

2/5

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.

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Frank Scheck

The Hollywood Reporter

06/24/2016

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

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Jason Best

Movie Talk

09/17/2017

3/5

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.

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Argun Ulgen

PopMatters

01/01/2017

6/10

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.

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Dustin Putman

TheFilmFile.com

08/25/2016

2/4

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.

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Caesar P.

@RT04084040 Apr 30

The main antagonist's plight is one I'm familiar with - it's tough being a tough guy when all you want to do is be vulnerable. My dad was similar to the father in the movie, always pushing me to toughen up, even when I didn't want to. I found the ending to be quite realistic, and I appreciate how it portrays the ongoing process of honoring one's father despite his troubles. Family can be complicated.

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05/06/2021

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

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11/22/2020

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.

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03/15/2020

Horrible ending. Not worth the time

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12/06/2019

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

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09/28/2019

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!

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Noah Buschel

Director

Johnny Simmons

Hopper

Ethan Hawke

Hopper Senior

Paul Giamatti

Dr. Mobley

Sophie Kennedy Clark

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Alison Elliott

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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