Special

Special is a unique and thought-provoking film that explores themes of identity, mental illness, and the human desire for meaning and purpose. The movie follows protagonist Les Franken (Michael Rapaport), an unremarkable man in his mid-thirties who works a mundane job at a copy store. Les is struggling with feelings of loneliness and unfulfillment, and he longs for something to give his life meaning.

This desire leads Les to participate in a pharmaceutical trial for a new drug called 'Special', designed to increase cognitive abilities in patients. At first, Les experiences a powerful sense of euphoria and newfound confidence as a result of the drug. However, as he continues to take it, he begins to develop strange and alarming abilities, such as the ability to read people's thoughts and manipulate reality to his will.

As Les's powers grow stronger, he becomes increasingly isolated from the rest of the world. He believes that he is the only person who can see the truth about the world, and that everyone else is living in a kind of Truman Show-esque illusion. Les becomes convinced that he has a higher purpose, and that he can use his powers to help people - but his efforts to do so prove disastrous.

The film is a powerful exploration of the nature of mental illness, and the relationship between mental illness and creativity. Les's experiences with the drug are a metaphor for the ways in which people with mental health issues can feel both empowered and alienated from society. Michael Rapaport gives an excellent and nuanced performance as Les, perfectly capturing the character's initial hope and optimism, as well as his gradual descent into delusion.

The film also features strong supporting performances from Paul Blackthorne as the doctor overseeing the drug trial, and Josh Peck as Les's only friend who begins to worry about his mental state. The movie's psychedelic visual style, with its use of vibrant colors and surreal imagery, helps to convey the distorted reality that Les experiences.

Overall, Special is an engrossing and thought-provoking movie that raises important questions about mental health and the human search for meaning. The film's unique style and excellent performances make it a must-see for anyone interested in science fiction, psychology, and social commentary.