Despite a weak premise the silly idea that a woman struck by lightning could give birth to a child with supernatural powers Powder is a moderately compelling film . But the snooze factor in this movie is high, and it’s good stuff only if you pay attention.

An albino with an impossibly high IQ, Powder, has been kept in a basement by his grandparents for 16 years. Found by the police when his grandfather dies, he is taken to a home for juvenile delinquents, where he becomes the target of several mean teenagers who don’t like anyone different from themselves.

But unlike most victims of bullies, Powder has some amazing powers on his side. Nobody, not even Powder, completely understands why, but this thin, unassuming outsider has a special friendship with electricity allowing him to do some pretty incredible tricks (incredible unless you’ve been to a science museum recently.) Despite his antics, most residents in his small midwest hometown continue to treat him like a deformed, probably retarded freak.

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Unlikely as this particular situation is, the problems of acceptance and meaning Powder addresses are close to all of us and the misfit hero is at times a powerful symbol of the divisions created in society by fear and misunderstanding. Unfortunately, the film ends on an uncertain note, with no clear explanation of the effects of Powder’s short visit with mankind.

After roles in Jurassic Park, and Hideaway, Jeff Goldblum may have an expression of astonishment permanently frozen on his darkly thoughtful face. He continues his streak of intelligent, well educated normal guy witnessing the impossible roles here as a high school science teacher convinced Powder has something to offer his community. Like most of the cast Goldblum is hard not to like, despite a pretty one-dimensional performance.

The premise Powder asks us to accept without explanation is hard to swallow, but the film is still involving because so much of the action involves human feelings, not the supernatural. It is a strange combination of harsh reality and childlike fantasy that tries to offer redemption to those who want it least. For effort and charm, Powder gets five out of ten stars.

Powder, rated PG-13, is playing at the AMC Movie Theater.