A truly special movie.
| Overall Grade: | A- |
| Story: | A+ |
| Acting: | A |
| Direction: | B |
| Visuals: | B |
Summary: Ingenious story, focused acting, indie grit visuals and daring direction that doesn't falter; content warnings- some offensive language, some violence and drug use. In my opinion, this movie is not for anyone under 15. Serious emotional and adult concepts that will be too much for any child. Again, this movie is rated R, and is not for children.
Full Review: We all strive to be something important in life. To make a mark, to be involved in something significant. We want to love and ultimately be loved for who we truly are. We want to be special. To someone. Les Franken (played by Michael Rapaport) is just just like you and I. He is looking for that time, place and relationship in which life fits, your contribution counts and things matter.
But like so many of us, the outward signs for Les are not harrowing his uniqueness in the universe. Quite the opposite. From his job, to his friends, to desolate outlook on his daily existence, Les's life is a deluge of despair all quietly festering in polite secrecy to the rest of world.
Until today. Les gets a chance to join a study for a final trial on an anti-depressant drug. In fact, the drug becomes all Les dreams- or more aptly- Les becomes all he dreams.
The story and preview market the movie as though it were some smart-neck comedy, but it is far from that. With blisteringly wry pathos "Special" delivers an unnerving look at the human soul. Simplistic at times and broken, as we all are, it reverts to the disparity between emotional hopes and the blunt force trauma of reality. There are plenty of coy hyperboles here, but all hit you like a sledgehammer instead of a joke. In the end, the movie watcher feels like the only joke has been in the shallow portrayal that Hollywood film so often (otherwise) makes of real people's problems.
This movie was brilliant, but it is not for everyone. If want a chuckle, don't go here. If you want an answer, you're not looking in the right spot either. But sometimes to find a crumb of truth, you need to search for something found only in pain and failure. And into this world you go, with Les as your guide. And if you can handle the journey, you will indeed find something Special.
Amazon Link : http://amzn.to/UKJlKW
Review by Kim Gentes.