John Travolta's The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976) - A Tearjerker on Red Coral Universe The Boy in the Plastic Bubble is a 1976 American drama film directed by Randal Kleiser and starring John Travolta, Myrna Loy, and Diana Hyland. The film is based on the novel of the same name by John Neufeld. It tells the story of a boy who is born with a rare immune deficiency that prevents him from leaving his sterile environment. The Boy in the Plastic Bubble is a tearjerker that will stay with you long after you watch it. It is a powerful story about love, loss, and the importance of family. Travolta gives a tour-de-force performance as the boy, and Loy and Hyland are both excellent in their supporting roles. The film is set in the 1970s, and it captures the zeitgeist of the era perfectly. The cinematography is beautiful, and the music is haunting. The film also features some great performances from the child actors who play the boy's friends.