We All Think We’re Special

Substance Use Disorder is the medical diagnosis for the mental illness that is commonly referred to as addiction. As with other health problems, it can be the sole issue, or be one of many, accompanying mental health problems like intermittent explosive disorder (IED; aka anger issues). Therefore, it is not just a matter of willpower or want, and this makes intervention by well-meaning non-professionals more challenging than one might imagine. Now that everyone is on the same page, let me introduce you to Charlie (Jared Bankens) and Ed (William McGovern), best friends, and the leads of We All Think We’re Special.

Charlie is living in his deceased mom’s house, content drinking himself into oblivion every night. His best (only?) friend is Ed, who drinks a bit, but not like Charlie. After one night of blackout drinking, Ed decides to intervene and help his friend. While Charlie is still sleeping off last night’s booze, Ed searches the entire house and empties all the alcohol he can find. This pisses Charlie off immensely, who starts berating his friend for things that have nothing to do with the topic at hand, such as being gay.

“…Charlie is still sleeping off last night’s booze, Ed searches the entire house and empties all the alcohol…”

Still, Ed knows that if he gets Charlie to detox for the next week, he might be able to save his friend. But Charlie’s mood swings are severe, and his words, spiteful. Still, Ed presses on with his plan, accounting for escape routes by disabling the car and such. Can Charlie be saved? Does he even view himself as worth saving?

Written by Felicia Stallard and Kirby Voss, who also directed, We All Think We’re Special is a somewhat intense hour and a half. There is no levity or tonally off comedy bits to help assuage the bleak plot. Mind you, that is not a bad thing, as including such scenes would only harm the movie and its impact. However, the unrelenting somber tone is bound to put a few people off. While that is understandable, as viewers tend to use media as an escape, they will be depriving themselves of an intimate, engaging, though harsh, drama.