Jeremy ‘Powder’ Reed (Sean Patrick Flanery) is a very unique man. He was born an albino which has made him very sensitive to light. He lives in his grandfather’s basement and doesn’t venture out as he’s subject to ridicule because he looks different. When his grandfather passes away he is found living in the basement by Sheriff Barnum (Lance Henriksen) and a woman named Jessie Caldwell (Mary Steenburgen) who take him to a home for boys.

Jessie arranges for Powder to take tests to see how intelligent he is and he wows a teacher named Donald Ripley (Jeff Goldblum), who wants to help Powder. The townsfolk treat Powder like a freak however. The other boys in the boys home bully and tease Powder. We fear what we don’t understand, and that has never been more true in this film. Powder does meet a girl who treats him just like he should be, but it’s not long before the other people in town find out and put a stop to it.

Powder is also asked by Sheriff Barnum if he can visit the Sheriff’s wife who is dying of cancer. His wife can’t speak but is still holding on and the Sheriff wants to know why, as she’s in pain. Powder takes her hand and tells the Sheriff that his wife won’t pas on until the Sheriff makes up with his estranged son. I am not one to readily admit when a film makes me cry. Now it’s not that I’m some double hard bastard that doesn’t ever shed a tear, I just don’t like showing my emotions like that. However, that being said, this film hits me hard. It is very touching, the scene I described above is wear I completely lose my shit and just bawl like a baby. It really is heartbreaking.

This film is great though. It’s done by Victor Salva who did the Jeepers Creepers movies. Now I like his movies, it’s just a shame that he’s a wrong ‘un. I won’t go into why that is, as it’s not really the place. However should you be curious, I’m sure Wikipedia can tell you everything you need to know.

4/5

JM