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.

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Plot Keywords:

looking at oneself in a mirror | supernatural power | downward spiral | superhero | medication | 

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Taglines:

He's not your ordinary superhero.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some violence and brief drug use

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?

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Connections

References Destroy All Monsters (1968)

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Soundtracks

Gaia Screams
Written by Bryan Farrar and Dane Cash
Performed by Our Man Paul
Courtesy of Christopher Hildrew, LLC

User Reviews

A seriously under-rated masterpiece

I love this film. It's a bittersweet tale of life, loneliness, expectancy, and fulfilment.

The acting is superb, the storyline is original. The director gives the audience all the information in a concise way, enabling the viewers to immediately understand the scenario, and be able to both laugh at and sympathise with the protagonist throughout the rest of the movie.

Rapaport is incredible. His performance is under-stated and fits the character and the situation like a glove.

There is nothing wrong with this film at all. It's clever, it's funny, it's sad, and most of all, it's entertaining. I could watch this film over and over again. I was touched in the end. This is a lovely film.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 November 2006 (UK)

Also Known As:

Special

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,232, 23 November 2008

Gross USA:

$7,202

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,967

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rival Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1