Synopsis
Is the reason behind the huge success of the series truly because it offers realistic portrayal of the daily lives and anguishes of a superhero who is ‘ordinary and friendly neighbor’, as a lot of people say? What happens when that reality is pushed to extreme? may answer this question. The movie has the air of the typical Sundance movie which depicts ‘a fantastic yet short-lived journey of ordinary people.’ The reality in is not a blockbuster spectacle but a movie filled with humor and wit that reminds us yet again that the world is far from a blockbuster spectacle. Les FRANKEN is a plain-looking metermaid who leads a painfully unremarkable and boring life. He is almost an invisible being whose presence is not much required anytime, anywhere. Deeply immersed in superhero comic books for vicarious satisfaction, Les enrolles in a drug study by a pharmaceutical company ‘Special’ for an anti-depressant and afterwards, he goes through a series of unbelievable events. He has become a superhero with such superpowers as telepathy, teleport, invisibility and levitation. To demonstrate his special powers, he custom-makes a white leather outfit and goes on punishing bad guys. But it turns out that all of this was side-effect of the new drug. Though there is no fancy, extravagant special effects often found in blockbuster superhero movies, impeccable production and unique ideas make this movie indeed very ‘special.’ The outstanding performance by Michael Rapaport whose Les, i t seems, cannot be played by any other actor on the planet, makes the audience sympathize with his gloomy reality and sadness hinted in his smiles. If he's not a real superhero fighting with the reality, then who is? (CHO Hye young)