Special Correspondents

Watch Special Correspondents

"Fake news. Real disaster."
  • TV-MA
  • 2016
  • 1 hr 40 min
  • 5.9  (26,672)
  • 36

Special Correspondents is a 2016 satirical comedy film directed by Ricky Gervais and starring Ricky Gervais, Eric Bana, and Vera Farmiga. The film tells the story of two radio journalists who fake live reports from a war-torn country, but end up getting stuck in New York City. The movie opens with a montage of news clips showing the chaos and violence in Ecuador. We are then introduced to news radio journalist Frank Bonneville, played by Eric Bana, who is struggling to make ends meet and save his job. He is teamed up with his sound engineer Ian Finch, played by Ricky Gervais, who is a socially awkward and timid man.

When Frank's boss tells him he is sending him to Ecuador to cover the conflict, he is overjoyed at the opportunity to boost his career. However, things take a turn for the worse when Ian loses their passports and documents, leaving them stranded in New York City with no way to get to South America.

Desperate to save their jobs and reputations, Frank and Ian come up with a plan to fake live reports from inside Ecuador. They set up a makeshift studio in a Spanish restaurant and begin recording audio reports with sound effects and music, making it seem like they are in the heart of the conflict.

As the fake reports gain popularity, Frank and Ian become embroiled in a web of lies and deception that spirals out of control. They must keep up the charade or face the consequences for their actions.

The plot of Special Correspondents is far-fetched, but the humor is spot-on. Gervais' dry wit and Bana's deadpan delivery make for a winning combination. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments in the film, including a hilarious scene involving Frank and Ian getting high on pot brownies.

Vera Farmiga plays Eleanor Finch, Ian's conniving wife who sees the potential for profit in their fake reports. She joins forces with a sleazy operator played by America Ferrera, and the two start a bidding war for Frank and Ian's tapes.

The film also touches on themes of media manipulation, political corruption, and the blurred lines between fact and fiction in today's news landscape. At its core, it is a funny and engaging satire that pokes fun at the media industry and the lengths people will go to in order to be successful.

Overall, Special Correspondents is an enjoyable and well-made satire that delivers plenty of laughs and social commentary. It may not be for everyone, but fans of Gervais' style of humor will find plenty to enjoy here.

Special Correspondents is a 2016 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 36.

Special Correspondents
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Where to Watch Special Correspondents
Special Correspondents is available to watch, stream, download and on demand at Netflix. Some platforms allow you to rent Special Correspondents for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2016
  • MPAA Rating
    TV-MA
  • Runtime
    1 hr 40 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.9  (26,672)
  • Metascore
    36
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