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

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

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

| Jun 24, 2016

Not everything here works... But it's an interesting, great-looking film, and Simmons is just dynamite in it.

| Jun 24, 2016

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.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 24, 2016

Instead of big fireworks, "The Phenom" offers low-key character moments. It's a small film with a lot of insight.

| Original Score: B | Jun 24, 2016

A small gem filled with unexpected insight and performances of exceptional precision and intelligence

| Original Score: B+ | Jun 23, 2016

It's not necessary, of course, for "The Phenom" to be an all-out sports drama, but writer-director Noah Buschel sets up the rare opportunity to explore what makes a jock tick, then doesn't follow through.

| Jun 23, 2016

An unusual and affecting baseball drama where nearly all the action is internal.

| Jun 23, 2016

"The Phenom" is a baseball movie with virtually no baseball, which would be fine if the thing it relied on instead - lots and lots of talking - exhibited zest and originality. It doesn't.

| Jun 23, 2016

Don't let its restraint fool you: As unshowy as it is, "The Phenom" has an impressive collection of tools.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 23, 2016

Consider "The Phenom" a baseball film for people who would never step foot inside a baseball stadium.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jun 23, 2016

Written and directed by Noah Buschel, The Phenom may not be a home run for those in search of traditional peanuts and Cracker Jacks. But as an examination of a young man at a crossroads, it's a good day at the ballpark.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jun 23, 2016

The Phenom unfolds as a series of quiet, incisive conversations that showcase subtle, insightful performances.

| Jun 23, 2016

Simmons, Hawke, and Giamatti are all compelling enough to ensure that The Phenom doesn't turn into a bunch of empty tricks and fussy lighting.

| Original Score: B- | Jun 21, 2016

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.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jun 20, 2016

The film touches on the effects of a culture that puts too much emphasis on winning and money at the expense of simple healthy competition.

| Jun 20, 2016

Noah Buschel shows that formula can be repurposed to serve empathetic ends without losing its self-actualizing appeal.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 20, 2016

The Phenom, like its protagonist, is hard to pin down, making for a film that's transfixing and opaque in equal measure.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 18, 2016