The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Events Film The Kontenders Theater TV All
      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Misha Collins, KJ Apa, The Cast of Gotham Nights, The Winchesters and…

      May 27, 2022

      Art

      A toast to Opera Lafayette and their upcoming New York Baroque Musique Festival

      May 23, 2022

      Entertainment

      On The Scene: “The Found Footage Festival VCR Party Live!”

      May 22, 2022

      Entertainment

      Unlock Your Power at the Stranger Things Experience

      May 18, 2022

      Film

      Exclusive: Misha Collins, KJ Apa, The Cast of Gotham Nights, The Winchesters and…

      May 27, 2022

      Film

      Exclusive: Cast and Crew talks ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ [Video]

      May 27, 2022

      Film

      Exclusive: Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman, H. John Benjamin and The Cast Of The…

      May 25, 2022

      Film

      Sabrina Carpenter, RJ Cyler and Entire Cast Celebrate at the Red Carpet Premiere…

      May 19, 2022

      The Kontenders

      Exclusive: Interviews At The 37th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards [video]

      March 15, 2022

      The Kontenders

      Knockturnalist: Top 20 Favorite Films of 2021

      January 9, 2022

      The Kontenders

      The Kontenders: Stepping behind the curtain of “Nightmare Alley”

      December 17, 2021

      The Kontenders

      The Kontendors: The Humanity behind the Refugee Crisis in “Flee”

      December 13, 2021

      Theater

      A toast to Opera Lafayette and their upcoming New York Baroque Musique Festival

      May 23, 2022

      Theater

      On The Scene: Deirdre O’Connell, Mandy Gonzalez and more Talk at the 2022…

      May 19, 2022

      Theater

      On The Scene: Meet Your 2022 Tony Award Nominees!

      May 16, 2022

      Theater

      On the Scene: ‘How I Learned To Drive’ Opens on Broadway

      May 16, 2022

      TV

      Exclusive: Pause With Sam Jay Returns to HBO for Season 2 [Video]

      May 28, 2022

      TV

      News: Power Book III: Raising Kanan Season 2 Teaser Trailer Reveals Summer Return

      May 27, 2022

      TV

      Exclusive: Misha Collins, KJ Apa, The Cast of Gotham Nights, The Winchesters and…

      May 27, 2022

      TV

      Exclusive: Mike Colter Talks The Third Season of Evil

      May 25, 2022

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Pause With Sam Jay Returns to HBO for Season 2 [Video]

      May 28, 2022

      Entertainment

      Tedeschi Trucks Band captivates The Capitol Theatre

      May 27, 2022

      Entertainment

      News: Power Book III: Raising Kanan Season 2 Teaser Trailer Reveals Summer Return

      May 27, 2022

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Misha Collins, KJ Apa, The Cast of Gotham Nights, The Winchesters and…

      May 27, 2022

  • Music
    • Koncerts News All
      Entertainment

      Tedeschi Trucks Band captivates The Capitol Theatre

      May 27, 2022

      Events

      Broccoli City Festival takes over RFK Stadium with headliners Summer Walker and Ari…

      May 14, 2022

      Koncerts

      Exclusive: Eloise Alterman Talks New EP “Sad Bird”

      May 6, 2022

      Koncerts

      Treefort is The Good Place

      May 3, 2022

      News

      Asia Arts Game Changer Awards 10th Anniversary Gala In NYC!

      May 23, 2022

      News

      New Music Roundup: Releases You May Have Missed

      May 17, 2022

      News

      On the Scene: Award Winning Song Writers and Producers Talk BMI 70th Annual…

      May 14, 2022

      News

      On the Scene: 70th Annual BMI Pop Awards Pays Tribute To The Best…

      May 11, 2022

      Music

      Tedeschi Trucks Band captivates The Capitol Theatre

      May 27, 2022

      Music

      On The Scene: The return of Sony Hall

      May 27, 2022

      Music

      On The Scene: Africa On Demand Event

      May 27, 2022

      Music

      Kidd Kenn Talks New Single “Body” & Upcoming EP

      May 26, 2022

  • Lifestyle
    • Art Events Fashion & Beauty Sports All
      Art

      A toast to Opera Lafayette and their upcoming New York Baroque Musique Festival

      May 23, 2022

      Art

      THIS WEEKEND: What to Do and See at Frieze New York 2022

      May 20, 2022

      Art

      Luxury Furniture Dealer Haute Living Find It’s Latest Home In Chelsea

      May 20, 2022

      Art

      Moleskine Detour: Sky High Creativity for Social Change

      May 15, 2022

      Events

      Tequila Cazadores celebrates 100 years of Tequila!!

      May 27, 2022

      Events

      Fishers Island Lemonade Launches Variety Pack Just In Time for Summer

      May 26, 2022

      Events

      Giuliana Rancic Makes Special Appearance at Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago

      May 26, 2022

      Events

      On the Scene: Summer Billionaires Night and Auction hosted by Jackie Siegel

      May 25, 2022

      Fashion & Beauty

      Skinney Med Spa Fills the Gap in the Luxury Retail Experience

      May 25, 2022

      Fashion & Beauty

      Luxury Furniture Dealer Haute Living Find It’s Latest Home In Chelsea

      May 20, 2022

      Fashion & Beauty

      HBO Max’s LEGENDARY Celebrates “Into the Future of Fashion” in honor of the…

      May 17, 2022

      Fashion & Beauty

      The KnockturnaLIST: Editors’ Picks 2022

      May 17, 2022

      Sports

      Exclusive Interview With Jahfari Harvey

      May 26, 2022

      Sports

      NINJA Undergoes Full Rebrand by Creative Studio EAT

      April 20, 2022

      Sports

      On the Scene: Red Bull Dance Your Style

      March 31, 2022

      Sports

      Exclusive: Cast of ‘Winning Time’ on HBO’s Power Play of Lakers Drama, Comedy,…

      March 7, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Celebrity Sightings, Party Report and More

      May 27, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Tequila Cazadores celebrates 100 years of Tequila!!

      May 27, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Roku’s New Products and Deals

      May 27, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Fishers Island Lemonade Launches Variety Pack Just In Time for Summer

      May 26, 2022

  • 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 comment

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.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
america ferreraBenjamin Bratteric banaKelly MacDonaldkevin pollakNetflixRaul Castilloricky gervaisSpecial Correspondentsvera farmiga
0 comment
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

Exclusive: Misha Collins, KJ Apa, The Cast of...

May 27, 2022

Exclusive: Cast and Crew talks ‘Top Gun: Maverick’...

May 27, 2022

Exclusive: Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman, H. John Benjamin...

May 25, 2022

Sabrina Carpenter, RJ Cyler and Entire Cast Celebrate...

May 19, 2022

On The Scene: ‘Pause With Sam Jay’ Special...

May 18, 2022

On the Scene: Keep Lock’s ‘Respect the Jux’...

May 14, 2022

Exclusive: Cast Talks HBO’s “The Staircase” At New...

May 12, 2022

Wendy Raquel Robinson stars in the ‘Mahalia Jackson’...

May 12, 2022

‘Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story’

May 12, 2022

Film Review: The Heartfelt Joy of “Hello, Bookstore”

May 8, 2022

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Digital Cover No. 15

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

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
    • Events Film The Kontenders Theater TV All
      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Misha Collins, KJ Apa, The Cast of Gotham Nights, The Winchesters and…

      May 27, 2022

      Art

      A toast to Opera Lafayette and their upcoming New York Baroque Musique Festival

      May 23, 2022

      Entertainment

      On The Scene: “The Found Footage Festival VCR Party Live!”

      May 22, 2022

      Entertainment

      Unlock Your Power at the Stranger Things Experience

      May 18, 2022

      Film

      Exclusive: Misha Collins, KJ Apa, The Cast of Gotham Nights, The Winchesters and…

      May 27, 2022

      Film

      Exclusive: Cast and Crew talks ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ [Video]

      May 27, 2022

      Film

      Exclusive: Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman, H. John Benjamin and The Cast Of The…

      May 25, 2022

      Film

      Sabrina Carpenter, RJ Cyler and Entire Cast Celebrate at the Red Carpet Premiere…

      May 19, 2022

      The Kontenders

      Exclusive: Interviews At The 37th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards [video]

      March 15, 2022

      The Kontenders

      Knockturnalist: Top 20 Favorite Films of 2021

      January 9, 2022

      The Kontenders

      The Kontenders: Stepping behind the curtain of “Nightmare Alley”

      December 17, 2021

      The Kontenders

      The Kontendors: The Humanity behind the Refugee Crisis in “Flee”

      December 13, 2021

      Theater

      A toast to Opera Lafayette and their upcoming New York Baroque Musique Festival

      May 23, 2022

      Theater

      On The Scene: Deirdre O’Connell, Mandy Gonzalez and more Talk at the 2022…

      May 19, 2022

      Theater

      On The Scene: Meet Your 2022 Tony Award Nominees!

      May 16, 2022

      Theater

      On the Scene: ‘How I Learned To Drive’ Opens on Broadway

      May 16, 2022

      TV

      Exclusive: Pause With Sam Jay Returns to HBO for Season 2 [Video]

      May 28, 2022

      TV

      News: Power Book III: Raising Kanan Season 2 Teaser Trailer Reveals Summer Return

      May 27, 2022

      TV

      Exclusive: Misha Collins, KJ Apa, The Cast of Gotham Nights, The Winchesters and…

      May 27, 2022

      TV

      Exclusive: Mike Colter Talks The Third Season of Evil

      May 25, 2022

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Pause With Sam Jay Returns to HBO for Season 2 [Video]

      May 28, 2022

      Entertainment

      Tedeschi Trucks Band captivates The Capitol Theatre

      May 27, 2022

      Entertainment

      News: Power Book III: Raising Kanan Season 2 Teaser Trailer Reveals Summer Return

      May 27, 2022

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Misha Collins, KJ Apa, The Cast of Gotham Nights, The Winchesters and…

      May 27, 2022

  • Music
    • Koncerts News All
      Entertainment

      Tedeschi Trucks Band captivates The Capitol Theatre

      May 27, 2022

      Events

      Broccoli City Festival takes over RFK Stadium with headliners Summer Walker and Ari…

      May 14, 2022

      Koncerts

      Exclusive: Eloise Alterman Talks New EP “Sad Bird”

      May 6, 2022

      Koncerts

      Treefort is The Good Place

      May 3, 2022

      News

      Asia Arts Game Changer Awards 10th Anniversary Gala In NYC!

      May 23, 2022

      News

      New Music Roundup: Releases You May Have Missed

      May 17, 2022

      News

      On the Scene: Award Winning Song Writers and Producers Talk BMI 70th Annual…

      May 14, 2022

      News

      On the Scene: 70th Annual BMI Pop Awards Pays Tribute To The Best…

      May 11, 2022

      Music

      Tedeschi Trucks Band captivates The Capitol Theatre

      May 27, 2022

      Music

      On The Scene: The return of Sony Hall

      May 27, 2022

      Music

      On The Scene: Africa On Demand Event

      May 27, 2022

      Music

      Kidd Kenn Talks New Single “Body” & Upcoming EP

      May 26, 2022

  • Lifestyle
    • Art Events Fashion & Beauty Sports All
      Art

      A toast to Opera Lafayette and their upcoming New York Baroque Musique Festival

      May 23, 2022

      Art

      THIS WEEKEND: What to Do and See at Frieze New York 2022

      May 20, 2022

      Art

      Luxury Furniture Dealer Haute Living Find It’s Latest Home In Chelsea

      May 20, 2022

      Art

      Moleskine Detour: Sky High Creativity for Social Change

      May 15, 2022

      Events

      Tequila Cazadores celebrates 100 years of Tequila!!

      May 27, 2022

      Events

      Fishers Island Lemonade Launches Variety Pack Just In Time for Summer

      May 26, 2022

      Events

      Giuliana Rancic Makes Special Appearance at Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago

      May 26, 2022

      Events

      On the Scene: Summer Billionaires Night and Auction hosted by Jackie Siegel

      May 25, 2022

      Fashion & Beauty

      Skinney Med Spa Fills the Gap in the Luxury Retail Experience

      May 25, 2022

      Fashion & Beauty

      Luxury Furniture Dealer Haute Living Find It’s Latest Home In Chelsea

      May 20, 2022

      Fashion & Beauty

      HBO Max’s LEGENDARY Celebrates “Into the Future of Fashion” in honor of the…

      May 17, 2022

      Fashion & Beauty

      The KnockturnaLIST: Editors’ Picks 2022

      May 17, 2022

      Sports

      Exclusive Interview With Jahfari Harvey

      May 26, 2022

      Sports

      NINJA Undergoes Full Rebrand by Creative Studio EAT

      April 20, 2022

      Sports

      On the Scene: Red Bull Dance Your Style

      March 31, 2022

      Sports

      Exclusive: Cast of ‘Winning Time’ on HBO’s Power Play of Lakers Drama, Comedy,…

      March 7, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Celebrity Sightings, Party Report and More

      May 27, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Tequila Cazadores celebrates 100 years of Tequila!!

      May 27, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Roku’s New Products and Deals

      May 27, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Fishers Island Lemonade Launches Variety Pack Just In Time for Summer

      May 26, 2022

  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch