Special People

I watched this film and just accepted it as it was intended, with no preconceptions and no knowledge of the cast. It was sweet and moving. I would hope most people will do the same. Is the thought that Liberace was the "star" a problem for some of you? Is the cast of amateurs a problem? I should hope not. This was a sweet and kind film directed to enlighten the public of people with special needs, not to be a film of great importance. I enjoyed this film because it gave me an uplifting feeling at the end, and not because it was a box office block-buster. The cast were so genuinely talented beyond what some critics would consider acceptable for film, and the plot line was too simple for them too. Special People is a film to be enjoyed, one to be appreciated.

On a recent trip to Paris, I saw the picture "Special People". Brooke Adams was spectacular playing the founder of Famous People Players Dianne Dupuy. After reading several of Dupuy's books I imagined her to be an enchanting, intelligent woman full of moxie. This, Adams captured. It was such a surprise to see that Liberace actually played himself. The scene between him and the cast with Dupuy standing beside him was so beautifully filmed and moving. I was most interested in the Black Light Theatre as I had once seen it in Prague. The puppet of Liberace was so life like and the artistry of the dancing piano and giant music notes floating in the air was outstanding. It was just like what I saw in Prague but only better it had more charisma. After seeing the film, I later learned that Dupuy had taken the cast to play at Radio City Music Hall and to play the grand theaters on Broadway. It was too bad that this wasn't in the film as Liberace was notorious for setting the record for sold out performances at Radio City Music Hall with the Famous People Players Company.

When I first saw this movie, I was not familiar with Brooke Adams, and assumed that she was Dianne Dupuy, playing herself. It was the only explanation I could think of for the abysmal quality of her acting. I have seen her since, and now realize that although she is marvelously good-looking, she simply cannot act, and that fact drags down a script that already doesn't have much going for it. The fact that it is a true story, (and set in Toronto, Ontario) can't save it.

The kids who are part of Dupuy's troupe seem to be having a great time, and the whole thing plays out at the level of an amateur school play.