Special

A spoiler light review of Special should begin with tone, because Hal Haberman understands exactly how this comedy ought to feel. Special gains early credibility from Michael Rapaport, whose presence is balanced by the different rhythm of Paul Blackthorne. The foundation of Special can be stated simply: A lonely comic book fan, Les Franken, has a reaction to medication and becomes convinced he's a superhero. Within its 1h 21m running time, Special reveals both the benefits and the limits of that disciplined approach.

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Special finds additional purpose in its examination of embarrassment, status and the gap between confidence and reality. Through the performance of Michael Rapaport, Special makes that examination feel personal before it becomes broadly symbolic. The idea of Les Franken repeatedly returns Special to the cost behind its more visible developments. Hal Haberman is most persuasive when Special allows the theme to emerge from an uncomfortable choice rather than polished dialogue.

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Hal Haberman gives Special a directorial line that is alive in individual scenes and uncertain between them from its opening promise to its final movement. The staging of Special is strongest when Hal Haberman allows motivation to determine pace instead of reversing that priority. Viewed as a complete piece, Special confirms that the cast and craft keep the experience watchable across most of the running time. A tighter version of Special would address how too many scenes explain effects the actors have already suggested, yet the surrounding work remains persuasive.

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At story level, Special turns Les Franken and the central character into the source of its main tension. The role played by Michael Rapaport becomes the viewer's route through Special, especially when an important relationship begins to alter the situation. Hal Haberman gives Special momentum by allowing choices to create consequences instead of treating each scene as isolated information. Even when a difficult choice pushes the plot toward familiar ground, Special remains attentive to what that pressure means for its characters.

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The most useful technical choice in Special is comic timing built around character, because it helps the audience understand both space and mood. Rival Pictures frames Special through comic timing built around character without letting surface finish replace character. Drawing on its United States background, Special uses well judged reactions to give familiar material a more specific texture. Cinematography, sound and editing meet effectively in Special whenever a sequence must feel large without losing its human scale.

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What keeps Special emotionally readable is Michael Rapaport, whose choices establish a consistent point of view. In scenes with Paul Blackthorne, Special gains tension from two performers refusing to produce the same kind of energy. Josh Peck contributes a separate rhythm to Special and helps the supporting material feel less purely functional. The direction by Hal Haberman gives the cast of Special room to connect the quieter beats with the larger ones.

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My final view is that Special provides an uneven film with enough personality to remain interesting for comedy fans who respond to personality and timing. Michael Rapaport supplies the emotional memory of Special, while Hal Haberman keeps the genre machinery readable. A concern remains because too many scenes explain effects the actors have already suggested across part of Special, yet the better passages retain their force. What earns Special consideration is not perfection but the presence of choices that feel made for this story.