HORS NORMES/ THE EXTRAORDINARY/THE SPECIALS

France, 2019, 114 minutes, Colour.
Vincent Cassel, Reda Kateb, Helene Vincent, Bryan Mialoundama, Benjamin Lusieur, Marco Locatelli.
Directed by Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano.

Who is Extraordinary? What is Extraordinary?

Audiences who have seen C’est la vie, the Intouchables, Samba, and recognise the names of the writers-directors, will be expecting (eagerly) a film about some kind of caregiving.

And that is precisely what happens. The film has also served as a challenge to French medical and health authorities and their dealing with autistic men, women and children, especially those severely affected, those who are outside the norms which bureaucracy tends to impose, everything regulated, everything seemingly safe all secured. The central characters are based on two actual caregivers who are seen in photos during the final credits.

They are played by Vincent Cassel and Reda Kateb. Vincent Cassel has played so many criminals over the decades, so many sinister -looking characters, that it may take many audiences offguard to see him so genial, so humane, so full of humanitarian energy as caregiver, Bruno. Reda Kateb has appeared in quite a number of French dramas, playing here another sympathetic caregiver, Malik, one who takes risks as Bruno does but also has some order and discipline in his working with the autistic as well as with his staff, especially the volunteers.

Because, in fact, so many of the staff are volunteers, chosen by Bruno and Malik, taking them on to care with training on the spot, there is very often quite a risk. The film is full of wonderful examples of the work, the extraordinary challenge that most of us would not be equipped to handle in terms of emotions, skills, long-term patience. There is Joseph, a rather rotund young man who has a penchant for pulling emergency levers on the Paris Metro. When he gets a job in a factory, where he does well, he gets a crush on one of the workers, going beyond bounds, having to move out. There is Valentin, a reclusive boy, wearing a leather helmet, sitting alone, banging his head against a wall. One of Malik’s volunteers, Dylan, a young homeless man, begins to work with him, patiently staying with him, eventually, very eventually, achieving some success.

There are many pictures of doctors and nurses, many sympathetic, referring the autistic to Bruno and Malik and their care. There are many parents, some puzzled, some anxious, some desperate, and a portrait of Joseph’s mother (Helene Vincent)..

Bruno is full of energy, never stopping (well, some arranged dates but he is always on call and has to go), collaborating with Malik, but facing the challenge of the inspectors, finally and in desperation asking who would take the men and women if not them? The government? And treat them – how?

So, this is a film of special pleading, taking the audience into an unfamiliar world for most, asking for understanding and for empathy.

1. The title? Outside norms? Extraordinary people, carers, autistic men and women, children?

2. The writers-directors and their work, focusing on caregivers?

3. The Paris settings, the range of locations, the streets, offices, health centres, locations for various activities? The musical score?

4. The situation in France, the inspection, government regulations, going beyond the regulations, traditional treatments of those with mental disabilities, opportunities for education, challenges – beyond the law?

5. Audience understanding of autism? Extreme autism? The effect on the autistic men and women, on the children? The effect on parents? The need for education and care?

6. Bruno, Vincent Cassel as a sympathetic character, the Jewish Institute, his Jewish background, the collaboration of the authorities, his range of contacts, the range of children, relationship with parents, with teachers, his recruiting, his being always busy, the accountant in the reprimand, his saying that there would be a solution? His collaboration with Malik? Interreligious collaboration?

7. Malik, the more formal teacher, his personality, concern, taking on staff, his lessons and demands? Collaboration with Bruno? The interactions, their carers, the young people? The competition class for remembering acronyms?

8. The doctors, treatment of the children, referring them to Bruno and Malik? Their being interrogated by the inspectors?

9. Bruno, continually on the move, his regards for people? Is being interrogated, the final challenge, handing over all the autistic people cared for to the government?

10. The examples of care, Joseph, is pulling the alarm on trains, the attempts to get him to stop, loosely the stations, his age, personality, his relationship with his mother, her caring concerned, discussions with Bruno? Bruno getting the job in the factory, is doing the work, his crush on Bridget and her complaints? The manager giving up? Bruno on the train, warning Joseph? The group at the station, waiting for him to alight from the train, his success – and pushing the emergency on the station?

11. Dylan, age, on the streets, invited by Malik, at the skating rink? His awkwardness? Malik in the group and the skating? Valentine, his age, wearing the helmet, banging his head, not communicating? The various attempts? Dylan and his working with him, gradual communication, the difficulties, Dylan losing Valentine, the search for him, on the roads, the rescue? Dylan and his personal difficulties, winning the acronym quiz? Affirmed by Malik, yet always challenged by him? Valentine gradually improving, taking off the helmet? At the centre, touching all the sweets, Bruno and Malik paying for them? Slow success?

12. Dylan, meeting staffs, meeting the therapist, the attraction?

13. The impact of the final performance, the dance and movement, everybody participating?

14. A film of humanity, a film of hope, the performances of the autistic cast? The interactions with the cast staff?

15. The credits, the photos, the information about the health situation?