Special Ed (2005) User Reviews

The positives of this movie make up for the flow.

[no1ninja · 8/10 · 15 May 2006]

A dedicated but socially challenged Doctor, takes on a stubborn, egotistical, alpha-male health insurance salesman as a patient for his experimental cancer trial. "Sonny", can close any deal and is full of pride and confidence; unfortunately he lacks sincerity and commitment to friends and family. Meeting "Sonny" rattles and unearths the Doctors memories of a bitter father/son relationship and a horrible high school experience. The collision of these characters forces a journey to reconcile the past and amend the present.

Interesting movie, with lots of good scenes and realistic dialogue, but some missed potential. The flow/mood is a little off, and Greg Germann's portrayal of the doctor is a little over done for my taste, but in the context of the story you'll find yourself making excuses for his awkward delivery. I thought Don Moffett's "Sonny" was excellent, and in my opinion his character makes this entire film a worthy experience.

Overall a very enjoyable thought provoking film that draws you in by exploring the dynamics, emotions and contrast between two very different characters.

Hollywood could learn from this!

[greendaybeans · 9/10 · 21 May 2006]

Special Ed is an excellent film about the struggle of finding hope in a situation that seems hopeless, and finding out that people we don't like could very well come back to us as friends later on in life. As the story unwinds, you find many things that will make you chuckle, but many more that will make you cry. The only thing that I thought that needed a little improvement was the length; it was a bit too long for my taste, but that's just me. However, the characters, story, and acting really make up for that. It's a one-of-a-kind film that should get an award in this time of half-baked films. I give this movie a nine out of ten stars.

Excellent!

[iam95 · 9/10 · 22 July 2006]

Great story, great acting. Anyone who has dealt with someone with cancer can relate. And anyone who hasn't will learn a lot about the realities of dealing w/ cancer. Was eerily real. Makes you realize whats really important. Great characters, great directing. Overall a quality film. Be prepared to shed a tear or two, though. I highly recommend this film if you're in a serious mood. People aren't always who you think they are and opportunities to be close to the people who really matter are taken for granted. The main character, Sonny, learns just in time what family really means to him. Movie runs 108 minutes. The time flew by. Great story telling required a little more time than normal.

good movie

[jakers12367 · 9/10 · 29 July 2008]

I really liked this movie. The idea is not super original by any means, but I think the performances made it seem refreshing. I thought that all of the actors played their parts well, especially DW Moffett. He made me cringe with annoyance and feel bad for him, which is no easy feat.

I thought the storyline moved at a nice pace, but I feel that this film would have been improved by fleshing out more the relationship between Sonny and his son. I think that Trevor Wright is a great actor and that his talents were a little wasted in his small part.

For a first time feature for Mr. Phelps, I say congratulations as this film was very good and he really directed the performers well and wrote a script that is true to life. Well Done!

excellent movie

[lorreann · 9/10 · 8 February 2013]

This movie is focused on healing cancer, but it's really about healing relationships. I plan on watching it again with my son because of the issues regarding bullying and self esteem.

The doctor in this movie was the "special ed" kid as a child and his patient was the leader of the bullies who tormented him, making it even worse for him because his own father was abusive and was ashamed of him being a wimp, and was really the biggest bully of them all.

As adults the Special Ed kid is the doctor perfecting an experimental cancer treatment on the bully, and in the process they become friends. There are many issues that the two friends help each other with, and the cancer patient and his son have a lot of healing necessary in their relationship, too. Even though this covers dark subjects there are a lot of uplifting moments and humor which endears you to the characters.

I don't normally like Cancer movies, but I feel this was so much more, and the cancer was only the subject that connected these two friends, but it wasn't the whole plot. I really enjoyed it, and like I said before, will watch it again with my son.