Not all children are created equal...

When their daughter (Kaylynn Burgin) is kidnapped by human traffickers, a mother and father desperately struggle with revealing a family secret to investigators - a secret that could lead to their daughter. With a compelling story and a strong central performance by young Kaylynn Burgin, Special explores just how far a family will go to protect its future while also reminding us that what's on the surface isn't always the reality.

Special is both horrific to watch yet emotionally riveting and almost none of it would work without Burgin's fine work. Of course, one can't simply dismissal the strong directorial effort by Mikeal Burgin and a script that accomplishes quite a bit in a short span of about 10 minutes.

The film is just getting going on its festival run with appearances at the South Dakota Film Festival and Scream in the Dark already in the bag with a couple of others right around the corner. It's not surprising, really, because Burgin's unique voice and vision were first identified with the award-winning Bring Me a Dream and are once again on full display.

D.P. Mark Britton gives the film an intimate yet harrowing visual presentation, while Rich Cantrell's original music ups the emotional impact of the film. In addition to Burgin's fine performance, Jeb Makula is mesmerizing and Daniel Hampel and Rachel Wells both shine among the quality ensemble cast.

For more information on the film, be sure to visit its website linked to in the credits on the left!

© Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic