Mais que Especiais

Based on the true story of a man named Stephane Benhamou and his organization, The film tells the story of Bruno, a middle-aged French man who has dedicated his life to help and support people and families dealing with autism. Bruno, played flawlessly by Vincent Cassel, runs a semi-pro organization along his friend and colleague Malik (Reda Kateb) and together they do all they possibly can to build a life for children and adolescents with the most severe cases od autism.

This film is sharply written, you'll get throwed into the heart of story form the very first minutes and you'll get to know the various characters, the legal problems of the organization, the children and their parents (or lack there of) and as the story unfolds to you bit by bit, you'll soon forget that you're just watching a motion picture, you'll forget that Cassel and Kateb are two superstars imposing as these roles.

This is a very moving film. It clearly is a passion project for the directors (they actually waited a long time to make this), and the film is simply amazing. I wish this was on every screen instead of some crap they're showing these days.

At some points in the movie I felt like they used real disabled persons and some of the reactions were seriously genuine. I'm not sure if they actually did, but I wouldn't be suprised. The movie is almost like a documentary just following the lives of Reno and his association, who take care of disabled kids no one else can deal with, while still following a traditional narrative. The former is due to the real-life influence the movie has. The acting is top-notch, I almost didn't feel like watching a movie but watching actual events instead. The story is great too and to top it off it comes with a message. It's just a nice, heartwarming movie which left me smiling throughout most of the film.

This is a deeply moving film, dealing with a difficult subject - autism - in a no-holds-bared fashion. The acting is first rate. The story is admirably structured. I was surprised when it ended, which means it moved right along. The audience I saw it with was left speechless at the end, and for good reason.

This is NOT a feel-good movie in the American sense. But it is a deeply humane movie, with real people and not flat stereotypes. It should earn a lot of very deserved awards.

It is a shame that a meaningful film like this one is not promoted to get more people to watch it, because it contains many hard truths that need to be told, but at least the filmmakers don't ram the message down the viewer's throat the way some movies do. Vincent Cassel, always a dependable actor, is at his career-best here. He is ably supported by a competent cast led by Reda Kateb. I really wish everyone gets to see this special movie, but it is especially recommended for those who are caregivers.

I had the privilege to watch this film at a French preview on June 25, during the inaugural evening of the brand new "UGC Ciné cité Parly", right next to Versailles, in the suburbs of Paris. Many official speeches (CEO of UGC, local mayor, ...) with that of Éric Toledano at the end.

The film is tip top with two main qualities: 1) the actors play excellently, in particular Reda Kateb and Vincent Cassel, but not only, the whole cast being awesome. 2) The film deals with beneficence and philanthropy. This is clearly out of the ordinary, people being traditionally turned to themselves.

So, you may approach this cinematographic UFO as a feel good movie (thanks to the generosity of the characters) in a sad context (autism). As a synthesis: 7/8 of 10.