Special (2006)

A lonely comic book fan, Les Franken, has a reaction to medication and becomes convinced he's a superhero.

Directors:

Hal Haberman, Jeremy Passmore

Writers:

Hal Haberman, Jeremy Passmore

Stars:

Michael Rapaport, Paul Blackthorne, Josh Peck

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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
Michael Shamus Wiles	...	Cop #1
Erich Anderson	...	Newscaster
Karyn Bryant	...	Co-host
Trish Nelson	...	Pregnant Teen (as Patricia Ann Nelson)
Franc Ross	...	Crackhead
Marc Schaffer	...	Gorcery Store Mugger (as Marc Shaffer)
Amanda Carlin	...	Mugging Victim

Storyline

LES FRANKEN (Michael Rapaport) leads a painfully unremarkable life as a metermaid until he enrolls in a drug study for an experimental anti-depressant. An unexpected side effect of the drug convinces Les he is developing special powers and must quit his job to answer his new calling in life - Superhero. A very select group of people in life are truly gifted. Special is a movie about everyone else.

---

Plot Keywords:

looking at oneself in a mirror | supernatural power | superhero | medication | force field | 

---

Taglines:

He's not your ordinary superhero.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Sci-Fi

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some violence and brief drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 November 2006 (UK)

Also Known As:

Especial

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,232, 23 November 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$6,387, 30 November 2008

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rival Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Les: [voice-over] 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?

---

Connections

References Destroy All Monsters (1968)

---

Soundtracks

Fina
Written by Bip Smedley and Kyle Hildenbrand
Performed by Mortimer Smedley

User Reviews

Open your eyes

Go out and see this great movie if you can. If this movie is in your neck of the woods, and your searching for something to do on a cheap matinée Monday night, this is your ticket. Your week will be better because of it. Actually, pay full price for this movie because its worth it. And because the directors and actors deserve the extra $5.00 or what have you.

I got the privilege of seeing this film at its opening night in the Zurich Film Festival. A little treat followed after the movie with a Q & A with writer and co-director Jeremy Passmore. This USC grad and his home-e came up on a whim with the idea of this movie, and within 18 months ( 18 days of shooting) made this feature. The movie itself: great storyline with phenomenal acting by one of my favorites M. Rapp. He was undeniably crucial in making this movie seem 'real'. So fabulous was this 'low' budget superhero movie. Fabulous. The characters, the foundation, the storyline, imagination ... the believability and emotional recognition for the characters ... it all was there. Made me want to laugh, made me want to cry and made me want to change the world. Awesome. That is what movies are supposed to make you feel. Hats off to these two directors and their crew with their first film ( which they were going to put on CCards before they got backing from agencies ... among other things) From what Jeremy was saying, everyone was supremely underpaid and overworked, but in the end, all knew that the finished product was worth more than anything. One of my top 10 for 2006.