Any film about such a divisive character as Tony Blair is bound to divide opinion. At one point early in the film Clinton tells Blair that he will be remembered for one thing and should decide what that will be. So very prophetic! Unfortunately for Blair he is forever tarnished with the Iraq war.
I think this film cleverly does two things. Firstly, It takes us back to the time before that when he was fresh and new. For a time he did promise a new world in which a "third way" domestically and the upholding of human rights internationally were dramatic departures from the past.
Secondly, I thought the film showed us the seeds of his later fall from grace being sown. To retain his new-found status on the world stage he needed America, regardless.
The film is also an interesting examination of the relationship between Blair and Clinton, as the power balance between the two shifts.
I think this film cleverly does two things. Firstly, It takes us back to the time before that when he was fresh and new. For a time he did promise a new world in which a "third way" domestically and the upholding of human rights internationally were dramatic departures from the past.
Secondly, I thought the film showed us the seeds of his later fall from grace being sown. To retain his new-found status on the world stage he needed America, regardless.
The film is also an interesting examination of the relationship between Blair and Clinton, as the power balance between the two shifts.