Toronto After Dark Diary: Day 1 'Special'

There is underlying sadness and/or pathos throughout Special. The deft touch of the camera and the isolating shots chosen by Passmore and Haberman beautifully portray our would-be hero in his content ness. It’s no wonder than when the hallucinations begin that Les fully embraces his powers and is eager to lead a life that is more fulfilling and meaningful.

Out of Les’ loneliness there is an underlying desire to be noticed; to be appreciated for his work. He wants to be… special. This is never better realized than during the dream Les has while coming down from his pharmaceutical influence. We watch Les slowly shrink into the back corner of an elevator, slipping behind the other patrons as they enter the lift, and then ‘wake up’, the dream is over and so are his ‘powers’. Les has returned to a normal state of mind and being; his career as a superhero is short-lived. He has joined the rest of the 5 billion as he put it.

But even after his powers have left him Les still stands strong and in true super hero form has a final defying moment against his evil-doers. And that is the beauty of Special. You don’t need super powers to be special. You don’t need throngs of admirers to be special. The power to realize that you are special comes from inside yourself. And perhaps, yes, you do need to be broken to understand that. But after you have been broken you realize that the only way to go from there is up and you find and hold on to your victories, no matter how minor they may seem, and then, you have become special.

Special is indeed a special film. Full of humanity despite its superhero focus the lesson to be learned is that indeed each and every one of us is special and we don’t need super powers to realize it. The story is very funny, touching and charming, while balancing the tragic and horrific. Michael Rappaport is once again just brilliant in his role of Les, our flawed and delusional saviour.

There is also a question raised about influence. Comic books guided Les’ fantasy world. So my question to myself afterwards was what would yours or mine be? I am deeply engrossed in international cinema and genre film. Would I start running around downtown Toronto with dual pistols, leaping sideways, shooting presumed ne’er-do-wells? Would I adopt the persona of a movie icon and go out into the world to right wrongs by the gun, the sword or the fist? Thankfully, none of my prescriptions have induced me in such a manner as they did Les. Speaking of which… [writer pops his daily dose]

As the movie goes through the throes of who has bought what and who will distribute whom it would be a tragedy for Special not to get some kind of release theatrically.

Highly recommended.