Special (2006/I)

Directors:

Hal Haberman
Jeremy Passmore

Writers:

Hal Haberman (writer)
Jeremy Passmore (writer)

Release Date:

17 November 2006 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy

Tagline:

He's not your ordinary superhero.

Plot:

A lonely metermaid has a psychotic reaction to his medication and becomes convinced he's a superhero. A very select group of people in life are truly gifted. Special is a movie about everyone else.

Plot Keywords:

Superhero | Medication | Corporate Logo | Elevator Scene | Unspoken Love

Cast

Michael Rapaport	...	Les
Paul Blackthorne	...	Jonas Exiler
Josh Peck	...	Joey
Robert Baker	...	Everett
Jack Kehler	...	Dr. Dobson
Alexandra Holden	...	Maggie
Ian Bohen	...	Ted Exiler
Christopher Darga	...	Steve
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Erich Anderson	...	Newscaster
David Bear	...	Man on Elevator
Karyn Bryant	...	News Co-host
Amanda Carlin	...	Mugging Victim
Howard Ferguson	...	Homeless Man
Howard Ferguson-Woitzman	...	Homeless Man
Andrew Leeds	...	Bitter Lonely Guy
Ian McConnel	...	Sweet Lonely Guy
Patricia Ann Nelson	...	Pregnant Teen
Natalie Richter	...	Receptionist
Franc Ross	...	Crackhead
Marc Schaffer	...	Hold-up guy
Matthew Troyer	...	Tall Guy
Michael Shamus Wiles	...	Police Officer

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some violence and brief drug use.

Runtime:

81 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:15 | USA:R

Company:

Rival Pictures

Quotes:

Les: [first lines - narration] I used to dream about flying. It went the same way every night. I realized that I could fly. No that's not quite right, I realized that there was no reason I *couldn't* fly, and after that I'd float off the ground and soar above the city. But I haven't had that dream in a while now. Lately, I dream about more ordinary things, like doing my laundry, or shopping for groceries, or riding on elevators. I wonder why that is?

Movie Connections:

References Kaijû sôshingeki (1968)

absolutely fantastic.

Just saw this film at the Edinburgh film festival, nearly went to see something else instead and i'm so glad i didn't! First half of the film is very funny, lots of ridiculous yet sorrowful scenes of the main characters self belief in his own superpowers.

I rarely find "comedy " films in any way amusing, but found myself crying with laughter at a lot of this.Very subtle, believable performances which make it heartrending when most of the laughs give way to a film dripping with sadness and important comments about the way we live today, and the search to find something important and special within ourselves. Film looks beautiful too, lots of strange fluorescent lighting. I can't rave about this film enough, its such a gem. Hilariously sad if that makes any sense....