Powder 1995 (film)

Character analysis on a few of the movies characters

1. John and Jeremy
When we first see John, he is portrayed as the most intimidating character in the film. His
buff physique suggests he is powerful and the camera angles show his height which makes
the other characters around him look small and inferior.
John shows a boundless confidence throughout the movie. He has no problem with people,
mostly because everyone is afraid of not doing what he says. He has a group of followers,
rather than friends, who only encourage his mischievous ways. These boys follow him
because it makes them feel or look almost as important as John is.
As the movie goes on, John shows no emotions. He shows only aggression and superiority. A
person like this is sometimes thought to have bottled up their emotions and block people
out from past experiences. John seems to be fairly mentally stable, but he’s very stubborn,
hasn’t the best morals and always thinks he’s right. Which of course, isn’t healthy at all.
Jeremy’s impact on John
When Jeremy first shows himself to John, he immediately senses that John isn’t someone to
mess around with; as anyone would. John however, sees Jeremy as small, weak and an easy
target. When he starts picking on Jeremy, things begin to change; because unlike everyone
else, Jeremy hasn’t every socialised properly before. So Jeremy most likely thinks he is
making friends with John. Or he senses that he is somewhat of a bully, and tries to bring him
down.
After many other encounters with Jeremy, John begins to realise he isn’t the only powerful
one; looks can be deceiving. When John and his group force Powder outside, they begin
harming Powder, and shaming him. After this, Jeremy stops his heart beat, and brings him
back to life. After this experience, John is a lot more sensitive to Powder, and other people
around him. It changes his outlook on life, because it can be taken away so easily.
Jeremy (Powder)
Jeremy is one character in the film who is badly misunderstood and mistreated. The
unfortunate circumstances at birth caused Jeremy to have albino features, hence the nick-
name ‘Powder’. Jeremy’s father turned him away at birth, giving him a lonely upbringing in
the country with his grandparents. The town’s attention was brought to powders home
because his grandfather had passed away the night before. Powder was found, and brought
to the school under the psychologist, Jessie Caldwell’s care. Powder had never properly
socialised before, and being different from the other kids at school made it even harder to
fit in. He is too quick to trust these new people in his life as friends. We see this in the scene
where he draws all the spoons to one spot in the cafeteria. He’s never had a friend before,
and is suddenly bombarded with the whole town and their judgmental ways. When he
opens up to Lindsay, we find out that he feels alone, even when he is surrounded by

2. hundreds of people at the fete. He is used to not being wanted, and is sad because of the
way he looks.
Harley Duncan
Harley Duncan is the sheriff’s deputy. He isn’t a very small man in size, but does have small
facial features and a forceful yet stubborn attitude. Harley is somewhat an important figure
in the town, who can socialise well, although throughout the movie we don’t see a
closeness or special bond with anyone. Harley isn’t complete with the best values or
intentions, but this changes when him and a group of teenage boys begin shooting deer in
the woods. Powder hears the shots and comes running to the scene, just as the other boys
do. As the circle draws in to the almost dead deer, Harley in the middle starts saying that the
deer’s almost feel nothing as they die. With powders love for all things, he is aroused at this
attitude and lets Duncan feel what the deer feels as it dies. After this near death experience,
Harley is a changed man. He sells his collection of beloved guns, and his whole personality
has changed to being quiet, sensitive and humble.
Mr Donald
Mr Donald is Powder’s science teacher, at the least. He is a tall man with strong dark
features, with a very scientific and bright view on the future. Mr Donald is especially
intrigued by Powder’s capabilities, and is the first person in the movie who powder feels he
can see a friend in. When Powder opens up to people and shows them his ‘powers’
(magnetic spoons in the cafeteria), people don’t appreciate him for what he is, or they stay
away from the ‘freak’. Yet, when he shows Mr Donald static electricity, they share a
common interest. For the first time, Powder feels someone else is interested in what he has
to offer. We don’t see a very social aspect from Mr Donald, but we know he is good at
communicating his thoughts and ideas, and he holds bright personality.