Mikes Film Talk

The 2016 Action/Comedy Special Correspondents is really, “Ricky Gervais doing a remake.” This Netflix Original is a retelling of the 2009 French comedy Envoyés très spéciaux. Gervais writes and directs this “retread.”

Special Correspondents Story

Frank, a local radio “newsman” a legend in his own mind. He has a mini following of fans in his neighborhood. Finch is the radio sound engineer, and “Englishman abroad.” Eleanor, is Ian’s wife. She is a natural self promoter Claire has a thing for Finch, her co-worker.  Mallard is the man in charge of the radio station.

Both men are to go to Ecuador.

Finch’s wife kicks him out of the house after sleeping with  Frank. In his misery Ian inadvertently throws away the tickets, expense money and passports needed for the journey to Ecuador.

Hiding out at Brigida and Domingo’s house, the men set up a mini broadcasting office. They begin transmitting from the location across the street from their offices at the news station.  This allows for some funny interaction between Brigida (Ferrera) and  Domingo () as the journalist and his technician report on a conflict they are half a world away from. 

The Cast

Ricky Gervais is Finch.

Eric Bana is Frank.

Vera Farmiga is Eleanor.

 America Ferrera is Brigida

Kelly Macdonald  is Claire.

Kevin Pollak  is Mallard.

Raúl Castillo is Domingo.

Cameo Credit

Benjamin Brat is Baker.

 One Complaint

Perhaps the only real complaint is the focus on radio news. Although there are several instances where broadcasts are referred to as podcasts. This is presumably an attempt to bring the film’s plot up to more modern times. In this day and age of podcasts, it seems that the radio angle is a bit outdated.

It’s Ladies Night

While this movie is based upon the two men, it is the women who steal the show here. Farmiga’s opportunistic wife writes a song about her husband’s captivity “A Dollar for a Hero.” She is brilliantly funny and is a favorite character.  The other female to yank this film from under the feet of the male co-stars is America Ferrera.

Ferrera is hysterically funny as the rather simplistic cafe owner. She delivers her lines with an impeccable honesty that just kills comically.  Whether commiserating over Finch’s wife selling his “dollies” (his superhero collectables) or shouting out Tío Miguel (because he is deaf) Ferrera kills it.

Both Gervais and Bana do well in their roles but lack the naturalistic comedy emitted by both Farmiga and Ferrera.  Bana wisely plays his role straighter than straight as does Gervais. The two work well together as reluctant colleagues in their unplanned subterfuge.

Special Correspondents Works

I have not seen the original French version, set against a conflict in Iraq. So it is hard to compare the two films.  The American iteration includes a shootout and an escape. It is a funny sort of scene and no one appears to die.

Cinematographer Terry Stacey makes the film look brilliant.

There are moments in the feature where Gervais pokes fun at Fox News, specifically Bill O’Reilly. Also it is clear that Benjamin Brat’s character is meant to be Brian Williams. There is a segment where the rebel leader, made up by Frank, undergoes a sort of news anchor Chinese whispers. The last one in the chain is clearly O’Reilly and it is funny.

Special Correspondent is not a parody of global news coverage. It does jab a few “American news institutions” though. It also pokes fun at the need for “instant” news regardless of sources or verification.

Fans of Gervais will appreciate the film and his wearing of three hats for the production.  At 100 minutes the movie is not overly long and the pacing works very well. At no point does one get bored or reach for the remote to fast forward the events on screen.

The Verdict

As a straight to Netflix production; “Special Correspondents” garners a full 4 stars. It is funny and fast paced. Farmiga and Ferrera almost steal the film and everyone delivers a performance that lacks nothing.  Watch this one for a giggle or two and some outright guffaws at America’s portrayal of Brigida.

The Trailer