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Special

Enrolling in a drug study to spice up his humdrum life as a low-paid meter reader, Les Franken (Michael Rapaport) begins taking an experimental antidepressant, which proves to have a few unexpected side effects. Convinced that he's actually developing special powers that can be used to fight evil, Les decides to quit his day job and focus on being a superhero … despite his doctor's professional opinion that his abilities are all in his mind.
HD Available
Netflix Rating: 3.2
Top Rotten Tomatoes Critics

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 Lyons, 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

Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies

Rappaport does a yeoman's job in this tonally confused oddity. full review

Lou Lumenick, New York Post

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

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

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

Nathan Lee, New York Times

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

Adam Markovitz, Entertainment Weekly

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 dependence is, well, villainous. full review

Aaron Hillis, Village Voice

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

Robert Koehler, Variety
Similars Available on Instant
  • Release Year: 2006
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Runtime: 81 min
  • Available From: Apr 30, 2009
  • Available Until: Dec 31, 2099
  • Remaining: 31632 days left
  • Queued by: 241 people
Directed By
Jeremy Passmore, Hal Haberman
Cast
Ian Bohen, Erich Anderson, Paul Blackthorne, Christopher Darga, Robert Baker, Josh Peck, David Bear, Alexandra Holden, Karyn Bryant, Jack Kehler, Michael Rapaport
Genres