No. 46. (2020) THE EXTRAORDINARY (Hors normes) August 9th.

 

Film No 46 (2020)  August 9th.  4:00 PM  LUNA PALACE Windsor,  Nedlands .

"The social worker says he's a minor, he'll go into care". (A typical institutional explanation given to Bruno as he readies himself to accept another challenge). 

 

Based on the real-life work of Stephane Benhamou and Daoud Tatou, writers Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano (The Intouchables) have created an entertaining, enlightening and deeply affecting film that comments on the French system of dealing with the marginalized. Those people on the autism spectrum who simply need help to experience life in a society ill equipped to cater for their needs.

While the story is an important one, the genius of this film comes in the casting of Vincent Cassel and Reda Kateb as the fictional Bruno and Malik. Bringing a naturalistic sense to The Extraordinary without slipping into cliches is essential here. Bruno and Malik are saints, but the thoughts about what really good human beings they are only come like a cascading fountain after the titles roll (and for days after).

The real story of Stephane Benhamou and Daoud Tatou meeting at a summer camp convention and going on to form their own institute to help people with autism,give them a life and relieve the massive pressures on families is largely told here with some poetic licence (a touch of The Intouchables). After all, Benhamou was often consulting on-set.

Any journey of this nature takes us to the heart of specific case studies and it's here we get a foothold on the challenges and the dedication and devotion of these men. Bruno's relationship with Joseph (Benjamin Leseur) has all the pathos and humour of a cinema set piece and knowing Leseur really is on the spectrum makes his stunning turn all the more wonderful. 10GUMS.