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.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 17, 2017

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.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Jan 1, 2017

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.

| Original Score: B- | Jan 1, 2017

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.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Aug 25, 2016

The mental side of baseball might be critical to winning, but it's not all that exciting to watch.

| Jul 31, 2016

A thoughtful, introspective sports drama that suggests Noah Buschel, like Hopper, may have greatness in him.

| Original Score: B | Jul 11, 2016

As sports-centric films go, those folks looking for cheering crowds on a mild summer's night won't find much joy in The Phenom's mudville. It's a slow walk around the bases.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jul 11, 2016

A cold, hard look at how the scars of our youth follow us into adulthood and what attempting to make peace with one's demons actually feels like

| Jul 7, 2016

Baseball star struggles with fame in sports drama with edge.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 7, 2016

Too methodically-paced with little payoff The Phenom is like a flamed out prospect that can't make use of its potential.

| Original Score: 4/10 | Jul 5, 2016

The Phenom has some good scenes and performances, but there are too many annoying things and too little point.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Jul 1, 2016

Simmons is generally convincing but it's difficult for him to combine this with holding centre stage, especially in scenes alongside Ethan Hawke, who is cast against type as a low rent Tyler Durden and clearly enjoying every minute of it.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 1, 2016

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.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 1, 2016

The cast is...perfect, especially Giamatti, whose soothing tones and reassuring demeanor nevertheless hint at closely held heartbreak.

| Original Score: 4 of 5 | Jul 1, 2016

Expertly lensed, tautly directed (by writer Noah Buschel), and peerlessly acted, "The Phenom" requires patience, but the reward is there. Call it a little film therapy.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Jul 1, 2016

Oddly a sports movie about baseball for eggheads and equally baseball for dummies. Which has as much on its mind literally as what's going down on the playing field - and may go a long way towards engaging both competitive sports couch potato audiences.

| Jun 30, 2016

Deceptively quiet, unexpectedly still, Noah Buschel's The Phenom beckons with a firm power.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Jun 29, 2016

#1 pitching prospect consults shrink over inexplicable control issues in compelling character-driven drama.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 29, 2016

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

| Jun 24, 2016

Buschel really is turning out to be a solid indie craftsman, and The Phenom is a nice example of his evolving style. I'm eager to see what he does next.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Jun 24, 2016