Ever since The Office Ricky Gervais has been a popular comedian who has had a lot of success through the years. Even though I’ve tried several times to look at some of his work and have never really been able to enjoy it of think it’s funny. Still every few years I try something new from him just to see if I have to change my opinion. When I found this Netflix movie in which he stars together with Eric Bana I decided to give it a chance. Should I have done that?
Ian Finch (Gervais) is the one who is the technician at a radio station. He has let go of his dreams and his relationship with his wife is anything but fine. Frank (Bana) is a slick radio host, who is able to talk his way into anything. When there is a revolution in Ecuador their boss asks them to travel to the country. Although Ian initially doesn´t want to go because of the issues with his wife he eventually agrees. They receive their passports, tickets and money but because Ian doesn´t pay attention they lose all of them. They still have to some reporting to do and they decide to make up the news and record it across the street of the radio station. Although that initially seems to go well it quickly gets out of hand and they have to go to more extreme measures to keep their secret.
Special Correspondents has an interesting concept but isn’t able to enough with it to make it a worthwhile film. The jokes often are way too obvious or simply miss their target. It is a comedy which usually makes you smile instead of laugh, not making it a must-see. There is a little bit of criticism of the way media report and how it is used by various people, but it simply misses a bite to make it relevant. So in the end not a movie which has changed my feelings about Gervais.
Special Correspondents is available through Netflix.
