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Michael Rapaport, Paul Blackthorne, Josh Peck, Robert Baker, Jack Kehler ... see more see more... , Alexandra Holden , Ian Bohen

An unremarkable parking-enforcement officer living a low-key existence of solitary lunches in the park, lonely dinners at home, and superhero comics that at least afford him the quiet release of fanta... read more read more...sy enrolls into a clinical trial for antidepressant pills, only to find that it has some decidedly unexpected side effects, in directors Hal Haberman and Jeremy Passmore's quirky comic-book superhero comedy. Les Franken (Michael Rappaport) leads an unassuming life that rarely deviates from a strict regiment of working, eating, sleeping, and comic book reading. His only two friends are a pair of stoners who own a local comic shop, so Les determines to shake things up a bit by volunteering as a test subject for an experimental drug designed to curb depression. When the drug appears to give Les special powers, the doctor in charge of the clinical controlled test insists that Les is simply experiencing an unanticipated psychological reaction to the medication. But Les is convinced that his powers are genuine, and as he ditches his work uniform in favor of more superhero-appropriate threads, he is about to find out once and for all whether he truly is able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, or his depression, combined with the strange side-effects of the drug, has somehow propelled his superhero fantasies to the forefront of his damaged psyche. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

62% liked it

29,057 ratings

Critics

57% liked it

30 critics

R, 1 hr. 22 min.

Directed by: Hal Haberman, Jeremy Passmore

Release Date: January 30, 2006

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DVD Release Date: March 31, 2009

Stats: 501 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (501)

  • flixsterman
    December 3, 2009
    flixsterman
    A nerdy, social misfit volunteers for an experimental medical study of a new drug and discovers that the pills give him super powers.

    Back in high school I knew this guy who was kinda tall, had curly red hair, freckles, and was a total prick. Michael Rapaport looks a lot like... read more that guy. Now, that's not Michael Rapaport's fault, but every time I see him, in my mind, I see that other ass-hole. Why, you ask, am I telling you this? Because for me to say that Michael Rapaport is good in anything he has to be really (REALLY) good. In this film, he's good.
  • dhetteix
    July 28, 2009
    dhetteix
    A churning, dark drama that inexplicably bills itself as satirical or humorous. The concept: to play out dark psychological drama against a paper-thin backdrop of comic-book heroism is jarring to say the least... especially when the self-importance of such a backdrop is continual... read morely torn and punctured by the presence of the reality underneath it all. This isn't a film about a superhero dealing with being human, or a human trying to be a superhero. In the end, its an average human dealing with being human and getting very messed up in the process.

    Sadly, the plot is riddled with holes, and a small array of cinematic stylizations that eventually wear a bit thin.

    It takes a bit of effort to see past the low-budgeted hurdles... but such effort is rewarded with a glimpse of the inspired acting by Rapaport (the film beautifully abuses his nice-guy persona) as well as the simple yet grittily accented story underneath it all.

    A unique presentation of a depressing concept, which falters more often than it flies. Yet unlike other films, whose failures confuse or anger, one can clearly see (and enjoy) the film that lies beneath the blemishes. That achievement alone is something to be celebrated, and is the essence of independent film-making.
  • thefog1331
    May 10, 2009
    thefog1331
    A satifsfyingly quirky comedy/drama with a standout performance from the underused Michael Rapaport.
    Worth it if you're looking for something a little different and unique.
  • Beefy
    May 10, 2009
    Beefy
    Fun, small independent film with a terrific performance by Rapaport as a medical test subject who experiences some interesting side effects. A small gem, worth seeing.
  • superclerk25
    May 3, 2009
    superclerk25
    It was ok. While Rapaport was good in the flick I think a lot of the weakness comes from the script. I'm not sure it really knew what to do with itself after introducing the main object of the plot. A man who signs up for a drug test starts to imagine that he has super powers.... read more What should we do with the story after that? I dunno. The writer seems to think that the best thing to do was to let it wind down until the credits rolled.
    At the end of the movie I was only thinking one thing. What was the point of it all?
  • romy861
    May 1, 2009
    romy861
    Idiotic, but more watchable than it should have been. Alexandra Holden was a highlight - now there's an actress that is capable of much better than this.
  • DrZeek
    April 16, 2009
    DrZeek
    Les: And these really work?
    Dr. Dobson: Our results have been remarkably promising.

    Michael Rapaport, best known as an actor with a familiar face and a Brooklyn accent or as Dick Ritchie in True Romance, stars as a lonely man who has a reaction to some experimental pills. He st... read morearts to believe he has superheroes.

    The movie starts with Rapaport as Les, a man who works as a meter maid. He has only a few friends and is generally shy. We find Les at a drug testing facility where he is given a drug called special. Soon Les begins to believe he can fly. Shortly after this he believes he has other power as well, including walking through walls and telepathy.

    We the audience, as well as everyone else knows that Les is in fact having a psychotic reaction to the drugs. More problems arise when the creators of the drug try to get a hold of Les, who has taken it upon himself to try and fight crime.

    Les: You can't make me stop.

    Rapaport is great in this role. He is rarely given a lead role, but here he is absolutely solid. This movie may have moments of comedy, but Rapaport and the movie as a whole is dark, sad, but oddly touching as well.

    The film's gritty, independent feel combined with a few visual tricks to convey the split perspectives of Les' "powers" between him and his onlookers only adds to the effectiveness of the film. The grungy soundtrack is effective as well.

    At 80 minutes, the film is a bit simplistic, leaves a few points underused, and didn't leave me completely satisfied by its conclusion, however the final expression on Rapaport's face in this film was fairly powerful.

    A nice film under the radar.

    Les: The truth is, with so many billions and billions of people on the planet, most of us can't be unique or important in any meaningful way.
  • puffchunk
    April 9, 2009
    puffchunk
    It's times like this that I'm reminded why i love movies so much. Michael Rapaport is my hero. He just makes such a big lovable guy that bad things seem to happen to, but he's too oblivious to notice. The concept for this film is the real gem, and you're gauranteed to laugh a ... read morefew times...and you'll probably be pretty depressed at the end. Good stuff.
  • xas5
    April 28, 2012
    xas5
    With the serious, "dedicated" performance from Michael Rapaport, Special would just be another low budget, independent film. But with that performance comes a truthfulness that carries the off-the-wall concept to a level of seriousness that is then taken seriously. With the craze... read more of average people becoming superheroes (Kick Ass, Super, Bad Ass), Special is a nice change of pace, looking more at the human psyche rather than the bravado and action that comes with fighting crime.
  • kylemydude
    February 28, 2010
    kylemydude
    Saw this about a year ago and never got around to rating it, check it out, really great comedy that has it's touching moments aswell.

View All Special Reviews

Critic Reviews

Ben Lyons
November 24, 2008
Ben Lyons, At the Movies

I just thought it was a cool indie film with a great leading performance from an actor we don't usually get to see in a lead. Full Review

Ben Mankiewicz
November 24, 2008
Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies

The premise is intriguing, and the film is occasionally amusing, but it feels stuck between a completely satirical farce and an aching drama. Full Review

Lou Lumenick
November 21, 2008
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

Rappaport does a yeoman's job in this tonally confused oddity. Full Review

Elizabeth Weitzman
November 21, 2008
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

It may not be perfect, but this under-the-radar indie from Hal Haberman and Jeremy Passmore is smart enough to leave you glad you found it. Full Review

Nathan Lee
November 21, 2008
Nathan Lee, New York Times

Ultimately it adds little to our understanding of the curious return of the superhero as our paradigmatic pop archetype.

Adam Markovitz
November 20, 2008
Adam Markovitz, Entertainment Weekly

Thanks to Rapaport's brio in embracing the hero's drug-induced delusions, the movie is less a failure than a noble experiment gone awry. Full Review

Aaron Hillis
November 19, 2008
Aaron Hillis, Village Voice

Rappaport's befuddled sincerity has never registered so poignantly, but given its singular premise, for the film to waste an easy opportunity to satirize vigilante do-goodery and pharmaceutical depend... Full Review

Robert Koehler
June 3, 2008
Robert Koehler, Variety

Special enjoyably toys with some knockabout comedy until it begins to take itself too seriously. Full Review

Christian Toto
March 31, 2009
Christian Toto, What Would Toto Watch?

Special offers a unique spin on the superhero template but rarely soars beyond its sly premise. Full Review

Cole Abaius
February 11, 2009
Cole Abaius, Film School Rejects

The quiet-yet-hip tone of the film reminded me a lot of Roger Dodger, another indie film that let's its script and acting do the talking. Full Review

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