Special Correspondents Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two guys accidentally become famous for faking news, then actually get kidnapped, but it’s okay because one of them gets a new girlfriend out of the deal.

🍿 Special Correspondents: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Trouble at the Radio Station

Frank Bonneville, a news radio journalist, often bends the rules to get the story. His sound technician, Ian Finch, is a bit of a pushover dealing with a failing marriage to his ambitious wife, Eleanor. Frank’s rule-breaking antics catch up with him when his boss warns him about his reckless behavior at murder scenes.

Faking a War

Frank and Ian are assigned to cover a rebel uprising in Ecuador, but a mishap leads to them losing their passports. Desperate to keep their jobs, they decide to fake their reports from New York, using sound effects and the help of friends who own a cafe across the street. This quickly spirals out of control.

From Lies to Kidnapping

To make their story more believable, Frank and Ian invent a rebel leader named Emilio Santiago Alvarez, attracting unwanted attention from Washington. When their boss orders them to the U.S. embassy in Quito, they stage a kidnapping with the help of their friends, escalating the situation to absurd heights.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ian Finch (Ricky Gervais): A kind-hearted but insecure sound technician who gets embroiled in a scheme to fake war reports from New York.
• Frank Bonneville (Eric Bana): A narcissistic and ambitious radio journalist who concocts a plan to fake news coverage from Ecuador.
• Eleanor (Vera Farmiga): Finch’s fame-hungry and selfish wife who exploits their fake kidnapping for her own benefit.
• Claire Maddox (Kelly Macdonald): Frank’s coworker who is kind and helpful to Finch.
• Brigida (America Ferrera): A well-meaning but naive café owner who helps Frank and Finch with their scheme.
• Domingo (Raúl Castillo): Brigida’s husband, who assists with Frank and Finch’s charade.
• Mallard (Kevin Pollak): The stressed radio station boss trying to keep his staff in line.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Frank: “I’m not a hero, I’m just a journalist.” – Frank says this when being lauded for their bravery, highlighting the blurred lines between truth and sensationalism.
• Eleanor: “Dollar for a hero, that’s what we need.” – Eleanor sings this song as part of a fundraising effort, showing her opportunistic nature.
• Ian: “I’m going to die a virgin!” – Ian exclaims this in a moment of panic, revealing his insecurities.
• Frank: “It’s a war zone, Finch! Act like it!” – Frank shouts this when Finch is unenthusiastic about creating fake war sounds.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Special Correspondents Reviews

Personal Review

As a Ricky Gervais fan, I was hoping for something closer to ‘The Office,’ but ‘Special Correspondents’ didn’t quite hit the mark. There are definitely some funny moments, especially when Gervais is just being awkward, but overall, the movie felt a bit flat. I did enjoy Vera Farmiga’s performance as the fame-hungry ex-wife, she really made me laugh. It’s not terrible, but it’s not going to be my go-to Ricky Gervais movie, I’ll probably stick to his series.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Ricky Gervais’s humor”
  • “Viewers who enjoy satire about the media”
  • “People looking for a lighthearted comedy”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Drug use”
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Some language”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “While ‘Special Correspondents’ has a solid premise and decent performances, especially from Vera Farmiga, it ultimately feels underwhelming. Gervais’s trademark humor is present but diluted, leading to a predictable and somewhat bland experience.
• Screen Rant: “A passable way to spend an evening, but don’t expect the laugh-out-loud moments Gervais is known for. Eric Bana is a solid presence, but the script struggles to find its comedic footing, resulting in a forgettable satire.

Audience Reactions

Vera Farmiga’s performance as Eleanor, the fame-obsessed ex-wife, was a standout.: The movie is mildly amusing and easy to watch, but not a comedic masterpiece.

The chemistry between Eric Bana and Ricky Gervais makes the buddy dynamic work.: Some found the plot too predictable, others appreciated the lighthearted humor.

Overall Consensus: A mildly entertaining film with moments of humor, but ultimately forgettable and lacking the comedic punch expected from Ricky Gervais.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Ricky Gervais wrote, directed, and starred in this film, showcasing his multi-faceted talents.”
• “The film is a remake of the 2009 French film of the same name.”
• “The scenes that appear to be real protests in Quito are in fact real, taken place in 2015 against the administration of President Rafael Correa.”
• “Eric Bana plays an American character, despite being an Australian actor.”

🖥️ How to Watch Special Correspondents?

Special Correspondents is currently streaming on Netflix for subscribers. Unfortunately, it’s not available for purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV. Check local listings or streaming aggregators for potential rental options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Special Correspondents, you might like these similar films:

• Wag the Dog (1997): Satirical look at media manipulation and creating fake news events.
• The Invention of Lying (2009): Another Ricky Gervais film that explores the concept of truth and fabrication in society.
• Shattered Glass (2003): Dramatizes a true story of a journalist who fabricated stories for a major publication.
• Almost Famous (2000): Explores the life of a young reporter on the road and issues of journalistic integrity.

🛒 Special Correspondents Related Products

• Ricky Gervais Live: Humanity: Enjoy Ricky Gervais’ hilarious stand-up comedy special ‘Humanity’ available on Amazon Prime Video. Perfect for fans who love Gervais’ signature wit and observational humor.
• Eric Bana Autographed Photo: Own a piece of memorabilia with an autographed photo of Eric Bana. A great addition to any movie collection or a unique gift for fans.
• Radio Microphone for Podcast Recording: High-quality microphone for podcasting and recording. Perfect for aspiring journalists and sound technicians inspired by the film.
• The Office (U.S. Version): Complete Series DVD Set: Watch all nine seasons of this brilliant sitcom starring Steve Carrell. This is a region 1 dvd so make sure your dvd player can support region 1 otherwise buy the digital.

🎧 Soundtrack

Special Correspondents features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Spanish Stroll” – performed by Mink DeVille

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Ricky Gervais And Eric Bana Interview Interrupted By Andrea’s Hair Appointment Alert | Loose Women

Ever wonder what it’s like to be on live TV with Ricky Gervais? Check out this hilarious interview with him and Eric Bana where things get a little…distracted. You won’t believe what interrupts them!

Ricky Gervais: Is There Really Emmy Buzz Around ‘Special Correspondents?’ | TODAY

Want to hear Ricky Gervais’ self-deprecating humor about ‘Special Correspondents’ and its ‘Emmy buzz’? He hilariously talks about his worst Emmy campaign ever! It’s a funny watch.

Special Correspondents- Vera Farmiga Singing

Did you know Vera Farmiga can sing? Check out this clip of her performing “A dollar for a Hero” in ‘Special Correspondents’. It’s a pretty cool hidden talent!

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