The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
Film

TFF 2016 Review: ‘Special Correspondents’ Starring Eric Bana and Ricky Gervais

by Joshua Kaye April 24, 2016
by Joshua Kaye April 24, 2016 0 comments
3K

One of the funniest names in comedy, Ricky Gervais has himself another hit in the Netflix produced comedy, Special Correspondents.

Ricky Gervais is one of the most polarizing figures in comedy today. If you’ve listened to him speak, you know he never holds anything back and is always equipped with some witty remark about any situation going on. Or you probably know him for constantly bashing on celebrities at the Golden Globes which is always a fun time (if you’re a fan of him, of course). Ricky has created a fine career for himself as a stand up comedian and performer, but where he may be most underappreciated is his ability to write and direct his own material. From The Office to Extras, he (and Stephen Merchant) has created some of the greatest British comedies on television. So it’s no surprise that Special Correspondents is both funny and enjoyable, even if it’s not the scathing Gervais we’ve all come to enjoy.

Frank Bonneville (Eric Bana) is a reporter who regularly bends and breaks the rules, going whatever length he has to so he can secure a story before any other reporters. While being one of the best in the business, this puts him in hot water at his studio, Q365, where his boss, Geoffrey Mallard (Kevin Pollak), is getting sick of his schtick and threatens to fire him for any future issues. Following alongside Frank, Ian Finch (Ricky Gervais) is a long time sound operator who practically fawns over his partner and the work he’s able to do.

A story then comes in about some civil unrest in Ecuador, and Mallard wants Frank to cover the story and show that he can be a real reporter instead of a hack. Frank decides to bring Ian along, in case of any mechanical issues and the two set off to head to Ecuador. But things hardly ever run so smoothly and somewhere along the way Ian loses the tickets, passports, and money to get the duo to Ecuador. Fearing he may lose his job, Frank refuses to own up to the mistake and two come up with an entirely different plan to avoid getting caught. This plan? Hide out in an apartment across the street from their radio station and falsely report the news while creating the world of Ecuador in an attic.

Special Correspondents doesn’t rely on any one thing in particular to be successful, but it’s just a quality film in every aspect. Eric Bana, who for some reason isn’t in very many comedies, does a great job in the lead role and Gervais is basically himself for 3/4th of the movie which is always a joy. But the film shines anytime Vera Farmiga, America Ferrera, and Raul Castillo are on screen. Farmiga is given the chance to be completely ridiculous and awful, and she just chews up every scene she’s in. With Ferrara and Castillo, the two are in every scene with each other and there’s no doubt people may find their portrayals to be slightly offensive, but they commit 100% to their characters and they make for some of the most memorable sequences in the film.

From start to finish, Special Correspondents doesn’t let up on the laughs. It’s rare to see a film where every cast member is clicking but no one misses a beat, and you can tell the cast is just having a good time. The scathing, foul mouthed version of Gervais that we’ve seen the last few years takes a back seat for the more self-deprecating version we’ve seen in Gervais’ past work. But with Special Correspondents, this is the version of Gervais that drives the film forward and brings the highest level of entertainment.

Special Correspondents is written and directed by Ricky Gervais and stars Eric Bana, Gervais, Vera Farmiga, Kevin Pollak, Kelly MacDonald, Benjamin Bratt, America Ferrera, and Raul Castillo. Special Correspondents will be on Netflix to stream on April 29, 2016.

Special Correspondents poster

We screened the film at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival.

america ferreraBenjamin Bratteric banaKelly MacDonaldkevin pollakNetflixRaul Castilloricky gervaisSpecial Correspondentsvera farmiga
0 comments 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Joshua Kaye

previous post
Christian Siriano’s Kleinfeld Collection Proves Bridal Doesn’t Have To Be Boring
next post
Exclusive: Get To Know Chef’Special

Related Posts

Hedda Is The Truth

October 29, 2025

It: Welcome to Derry Cast Says the Town...

October 26, 2025

Emerald Dreams: Celebrating Wicked in New York

October 24, 2025

The Familial Meta-Drama of Sentimental Value

October 23, 2025

Techno and Tragedy in Oliver Laxe’s Sirat

October 21, 2025

Jada George on Building a Dystopian World That...

October 17, 2025

The Fence review – Colonialism on the Brink...

October 16, 2025

We Discuss the Film ‘No Other Choice’ with...

October 16, 2025

Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice is Dark, Gripping,...

October 16, 2025

Devil in Disguise: Peacock’s John Wayne Gacy Story...

October 16, 2025

Digital Cover No. 19

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

theknockturnal

Lifestyle. Music. Entertainment.
Info@theknockturnal.com
New Cover Out Now ⬇️

We spoke with @truewhitaker last night at the prem We spoke with @truewhitaker last night at the premiere of @hbomax’s I Love LA!
We spoke with @holtlauren last night at the premie We spoke with @holtlauren last night at the premiere of @hbomax’s I Love LA!
We attended @hellosunshine’s 3rd annual Shine Aw We attended @hellosunshine’s 3rd annual Shine Away event, held at @universalstudioslot in Los Angeles! 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/hello-sunshines-third-annual-shine-away/

✍️: Katherine Wright

-
#HelloSunshine #Universal #LosAngeles
We spoke with @treaclychild last night at the prem We spoke with @treaclychild last night at the premiere of her brand-new show, I Love LA!
Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company, where office life meets absurd comedy. 🪑 
Stream it now on @HBO. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/la-premiere-hbos-the-chair-company/

✍️: Katherine Wright
-
#TheChairCompany #HBO #HBOOriginal #HBOShow #BingeWorthy #MustWatch #StreamingNow
@justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The @justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The Leag, one of LA’s most talked-about underground sports events. With celebrities, athletes, and creators filling the sidelines, the night captured the energy of competition and culture colliding under the lights. 🏀

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/justin-bieber-leads-skylrk-to-victory-at-las-underground-sports-phenomenon-the-league/

✍️: Parris Rose

-
#JustinBieber #SKYLRK #TheLeag #LosAngeles #SportsCulture #Basketball #UndergroundSports
@nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about t @nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about their journey as six members, a long, inspiring adventure that’s led them to a major milestone: their first-ever full-length album, Blue Valentine. 💙

The project dives deep into the complexity of human emotions, wrapped in NMIXX’s signature MIXX-pop sound. 🎶

“The story of NMIXX is still unfolding.” 

Full Article 🔗 https://theknockturnal.com/nmixx-blue-valentine/

By @EmmaSalehi 

#NMIXX #BlueValentine #NMIXXBlueValentine #MIXXPOP #NMIXXComeback #KpopInterview #TheKnockturnal #Kpop #KpopNews #KpopGirlGroup #NMIXX_BlueValentine #HAEWON #LILY #BAE #JIWOO #KYUJIN #SULLYOON #엔믹스
Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of @beetlejuicebway? Now you can! From now until Halloween, @tempotimessquare hosting an unforgettable Beetlejuice Suite experience where every corner is bursting with spooky charm, strange surprises, and a whole lot of Netherworld flair. 💀✨ 

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a little strange and unusual, this is your chance to step into the world of the ghost with the most. 👻 #BeetlejuiceBroadway #TempoTimesSquare #BeetlejuiceSuite
#ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when y #ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when you least expect it — and flinch when you do. 👀💥

Full review out now.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/park-chan-wooks-no-other-choice-is-dark-gripping-and-bitingly-funny/

✍️: Ishan Wankavala 

-
#NoOtherChoice #KoreanCinema #Cinephile #FilmReview #NewRelease #MustWatch
📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining 📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining boundaries with each track, image, and evolution. Dive into our exclusive to uncover the artistry behind the name. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/woodz/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#Woodz #Kpop #ArtistSpotlight #Editorial
EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to elect EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to electrifying new heights, bringing “I WANT IT” to life with unmatched energy, confidence, and flair. Every beat, every move, every note is a reminder that STAYC don’t just perform—they command the stage. 🌈💥

From their glowing visuals to powerhouse vocals, @stayc_highup deliver a night that’s equal parts spectacle and soul.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/stayc/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#STAYC #StayTunedTour #IWANTIT #STAYCgirls #STAYChighup #Kpop #ConcertHighlights #ExclusiveFeature
Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new film, exploring its unique darkness. 🌟

#ParkChanWook #NoOtherChoice #TheAx #KoreanFilm #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook tea Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook teases his probable upcoming project Genocidal Organ! 

#ParkChanWook #GenocidalOrgan #NYFF #NYFF26
Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in his latest film @nootherchoicefilm. 🖤🎬

#LeeByungHun #NoOtherChoice #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun refl Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun reflects on 20 years of film, from South Korea to Hollywood! 

#LeeByungHun #Hollywood #KoreanCinema #Film #NoOtherChoice #NYFF26 #NYFF
Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what it means to move forward together in their latest comeback. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/cix/

✍️: Emma Salehi

Photo Credits: C9 Entertainment 
-
#CIX #GOChapter1 #GOTogether #TheKnockturnal #KpopInterview #KpopNews #CIXComeback #CIX2025 #KpopFeature #CIXFans
It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North Ameri It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North America on their ‘Stay Tuned’ tour! 💖

Watch their energetic and fun filled show near you 👀🌟

#stayc #kpop #kpopconcert #iwantit #staycstaytuned #staytuned
Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷 We had the most a Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷

We had the most amazing day of inspiring panels, activations and networking at @femalefounderworld, with @eyebuydirect! 👓
Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joa Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joachim Trier for their sixth cinematic journey, co-writing Sentimental Value, a poignant exploration of family, memory, and reconciliation. 

-
#Screenwriting #Storytelling #WritingForFilm #FilmWriting #NYFF2025 #NewYorkFilmFestival #IndieFilm
At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to l At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to life in Sentimental Value, portraying a character whose journey through family complexities and personal discovery resonates deeply. 

-
#RenateReinsve #NYFF #SentimentalValue #NoraBorg #FilmFestival #Actress
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch