_The Specials_ (_Hors Normes_) is the true story of an association on the fringes of the French medical community that began working with severely autistic children and young adults when the only other available option was entombing the youth in a hospital and burying them in drugs.

What makes the film devastatingly compassionate is how at no moment does the narrative slip into pathos. Even Vincent Cassel reigns in his burgeoning talent and delivers a staid performance that does nearly as much to hone the film into a poignant portrait of humanity as the incredibly stirring soundtrack.

Yes, the subject has been done before (how different is it from troubled teen movies in the 80s like _Dangerous Minds_?) but you're not likely to be thinking about that while you're sitting in your seat with tears flowing out of your breaking heart.

(Note: Stay for the credits to see photos of the real life associations Le Silence des Justes and Relais de l'île de France. Also credit to the piano / electronic duo **Grandbrothers** on the gorgeous and frequently breathtaking soundtrack.)