The Special Relationship (2010 TV Movie) User Reviews

The story of a beautiful friendship

[MaxBorg89 · 8/10 · 29 August 2010]

Following the "secret" story of his election (The Deal) and his first major crisis (The Queen), writer Peter Morgan ends his unofficial Tony Blair trilogy with one of the most famous aspects of the man's political career: his friendship with US President Bill Clinton, and the hopes and problems that came with it.

The film, made as a co-production between BBC and HBO (where it premiered in May 2010, though it has been picked up for theatrical release in other countries), starts in slightly familiar territory, showing us Blair (played, once again, by Michael Sheen) before he was elected, and the same goes for Clinton (Dennis Quaid), who immediately befriends the British politician on the grounds that they have a lot in common: young (politically speaking), ambitious and eager to make a difference in their respective governments. Once both men are in office, the cooperation goes very smoothly, prompting the media - and the two friends themselves - to talk about a "special relationship" between America and Great Britain. However, like most relationships, it has to face some hard times, most notably the conflict in the former Jugoslavia and, on a more private front, the Lewinsky scandal, which drives a wedge between Bill and Hillary (Leslie Hope) and Tony and Cherie (Helen McCrory, reprising her role from The Queen).

Like most of Morgan's work, The Special Relationship puts a lot of emphasis on character and performance, especially Sheen who, by now, wears Blair's clothes and mannerisms like they were a second skin, a fact that becomes more evident when archive footage is used to show the man's first encounter with a very different Commander in Chief (one George W. Bush), and he's ably assisted by the excellent Quaid who, having already played a President in American Dreamz, gets past the not-so-perfect physical resemblance between himself and the real Clinton to deliver a fully formed portrayal of a flawed, but very charismatic individual. On the female side, Hope is the usual guarantee of quality, while McCrory is a bit of a revelation, taking advantage of the increase in screen-time she has been granted compared to The Queen.

That said, the film is probably the least dramatically poignant of the trilogy. Maybe it has to do with the change in the director's chair (goodbye Stephen Frears, hello Richard Loncraine), but the real reason is the excessive familiarity of the material: whereas The Deal and The Queen dealt with the unseen (and largely fictionalized) side of their respective stories, The Special Relationship centers around a piece of Anglo-American history that has been widely covered multiple times, meaning there's very little on screen, no matter how entertaining, that people haven't heard of before.

Overall, a slightly underwhelming but consistently amusing look at the workings of English and US politics, propelled by a flawless double act and some Aaron Sorkin-like writing. If this is the last we'll see of Michael Sheen as Tony Blair, one thing is clear: it's been a very pleasant experience.

7,5/10

An insightful drama.

[Troy_Campbell · 8/10 · 14 August 2010]

British actor Michael Sheen portrays real-life figures with an eerie degree of precision. In 2008 he took on the tricky part of down-and-out journo David Frost in Frost/Nixon and absolutely nailed it. Then last year he delivered a remarkable performance as hubristic English soccer coach Brian Clough in the lesser seen drama The Damned United. Now in his the third time depicting the former U.K. PM (first in telemovie The Deal, then in the Helen Mirren-starring The Queen) he mimics Blair's mannerisms, vocal tones and overall personality so perfectly that Blair himself couldn't play the role as well.

As the title would suggest though, this drama follows a relationship, which requires a second party. Step in Dennis Quaid as Bill Clinton. He doesn't convince on the same level as Sheen – Clinton's highly distinguishable accent evades Quaid to begin with – but it's not long before the seasoned actor gets in a groove and solidly embodies the beguiling American. Helen McCrory and Hope Davis don't have any difficulty managing their supporting characters, the former as Cherie Blair and the latter as Hillary Clinton. Davis especially is pitch perfect as the intriguing and somewhat imperious U.S. first lady.

Although, predictably, the movie lives and dies by its performances, the screenplay is clever enough to display these people in events that will allow us to connect with them. In the opening act we see how these two world leaders – Clinton the suavely aggressive big brother, Blair the amenable and awestruck little brother – became friends, then we move on to how they dealt with this 'special relationship' during good times and bad. It's a tremendous friendship to witness, how they and their wives react to certain situations, the Lewinsky humiliation of particular note, indicates what we have probably suspected all along: they are, despite their global status and positions of power, human after all.

An insightful drama that invites you into the lives of some very fascinating people.

4 out of 5 (1 - Rubbish, 2 - Ordinary, 3 - Good, 4 - Excellent, 5 - Classic)

Michael Sheen great in reasonable TV movie

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 31 March 2014]

The movie starts with Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) coming over to America to learn from their experiences and try to reinvigorate the Labour Party. He develops a close relationship with Bill Clinton (Dennis Quaid). Then the relationships get more complex, and the movie ends with a press briefing from the real George W and Blair.

The movie is looking at this mostly from the point of view of Tony Blair. He starts off as an almost giddy schoolboy in awe of the great Bill Clinton. Michael Sheen is the best thing in this movie. He is probably the best person for the role. His superior acting skills is on full display. Dennis Quaid is not as good. He comes off as mimicking the president. Hope Davis is quite effective as Hillary. It's a pretty good recitation of the Clinton-Blair years concentrating on Northern Ireland, Lewinsky, and Kosovo from a 90 minutes HBO TV movie.

An engaging portrayal of a political relationship

[Gordon-11 · 18 December 2010]

This film is about Tony Blair and his working relationship with Bill Clinton during Blair's years as the British Prime Minister.

Michael Sheen portrays Tony Blair in a confident manner, the differences in his character's radiance between the beginning and the end of the film is easily observable. Hope Davis deserves a special mention. I have always thought she looks like Hillary Clinton, and Hope Davis brilliantly portrays a strong, determined, and able lady that remarkably resembles Hillary Clinton.

A political film may fall into the trap of becoming propaganda, but "The Special Relationship" does not feel anything like that. It portrays the mutual support between the two countries' leaders. It is a engaging story that is remarkably told and acted.

God help us all

[sergepesic · 7/10 · 8 September 2013]

As we are about to attack another country under the guise of protecting human rights, this HBO movie hits the spot. Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, two fake progressives, shape the world according to their interests and political advantages. Tony Blair, as portrayed in this flick, is a naive, almost comical in his ineptitude, character. After all the unfulfilled promises and outright lies it is not surprising how unpopular he became in Great Britain. Blindly following both American presidents, but all this time building his own legacy. And he built it all right. When he left the office his approval rating was embarrassingly low. After the horrendous war campaign waged on Serbia in 1999 ( based on intentionally inflated numbers of victims, that were never found), and attack on Iraq( based on non-existing WMD), Mr. Blair is lucky that he didn't end up on trial for war crimes himself. God help us all with leaders like these people.

brilliant and astute portrait

[antoniotierno · 7/10 · 19 December 2010]

The main point of interest in "The Special Relationship" is in my opinion the changing status throughout the film of the strong friendship between Bill Clinton and Tony Blair. Ahead of his election Blair is portrayed as a fan of the US President, appreciating Clinton's advice and the fact that Bill has taken a great interest in his career. At the beginning they both appear to share a genuine mutual friendship whereas, as both their careers progress, the relationship does deeply change. The Special Relationship is a good dramatization of the America/Great Britain relationships during those very important years. However I had the impression that the film, though well acted and directed, would be more suitable for the TV rather than for the big screen. Overall it's about an insightful representation of UK/US relations, depicted through the exploration of a bromance and, more than everything, a glimpse of the real Tony Blair. Not unforgettable but a quality story for sure.

will the real tony Blair and Bill Clinton please stand up!

[mrcibubur · 7/10 · 6 December 2010]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie on DVD and draw the obvious comparison with Michael Sheens performance of tony Blair in the 'Queen' and of how Blair was portrayed in 'The Ghost Writer'. 'W' also springs to mind about George Bush and of course Peter Morgans other recent work about a political leader, 'Frost Nixon'.

At first I was watching a political comedy where Tony Blair was destined to become an Americanized Mr Bean. Dennis Quaid, as professional an actor as he is, was way too overpowering in the role of Bill Clinton who I am sure is a lot more gentler as a guy than the film portrayed.

The film ends up with us feeling a degree of sympathy for both Blair and particularly Clinton, though I doubt the reality of this. How special this relationship was compared with Thatcher and Regan or Blair and Bush, its difficult to say but it was absorbing to see the facts put through the 'mill' and an almost objective appraisal given of the problems raised by both leaders. Was the French President Chirac really that pompous? Were the leaders that close on a personal level? Actually, I think Tony Blair must be thinking himself - gosh that guy Sheen acts me than I do myself. He is certainly a very likable 'duplicate' of the real thing and perhaps a more acceptable version. a lot of recent history is dealt with in this 90 minute movie, as others have commented, nothing at all with that, the film is useful if only for English education in hearing English and American language side by side and a terrific dose of history as I have mentioned.

Might get Michael Sheen a much deserved Oscar nomination. As for Dennis Quaid, as AL gore might have once said - you are NO Bill Clinton! Got to say the two ladies playing the wives of Cheree and Hilary are almost comedy like and the script to some extent is more appropriate to a TV sit com than a movie suitable for DVD or cinema release.

Not knocking the movie. Its very watchable, not in any way tedious, quite funny at times and keep the kids out of the room at certain times when sexual innuendos are mentioned with reference to Bill Clinton's 'you know what'! Enjoy!

Subtle But With One Major Fault

[Theo Robertson · 6/10 · 19 September 2010]

What can the average Briton say about Tony Blair ? Lots of things and none of them complimentary . A few months ago former Labour party leader Michael Foot died so we got the retrospective memoriam and one can't help feeling nostalgic for the very democratic society we had in Britain circa 1983 . You might not have agreed with Foot or Prime Minister Magaret Thatcher but you couldn't deny that both were driven by principles . Indeed included amongst the reportage of Michael Foot we saw him leading a march for the unemployed . Now hands up anyone who has ever seen any Senior figure from the Labour Party in the last twenty years even make the token gesture of being on the side of the proles ? Yeah I thought not . Blair was Prime Minister through default . Never one to miss the opportunity for a photo call or a sound bite he was very lucky to become party leader due to the death of John Smith , though he wasn't so lucky to become Prime Minister . Politics in Britain is very cyclical in that a government spends many years in power with the opposition getting voted in simply because they're not government party

From the outset THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP paints Tony Blair in a subtle way . He comes across as some type of outsider who wants to be the most popular person in the room but doesn't know how to go about . Realists will state with more than a little cynicism that if that's the case Blair is in he wrong game , but to give Blair is due he had a damned good try . The film starts in 1992 where on a trip to Washington Blair is introduced to the American Democratic spin machine and is told in detail what voter demographic to target , Tellingly he's also told that crime weighs heavily in elections . No one honestly thought that during his tenure as shadow home secretary Blair thought up his sound bite catchphrase of " tough on crime - tough on the causes of crime " on his own and it's here it's revealed as being the invention of American spin doctors . Shows you how bad a politician he is if he has to travel over 3,000 miles to steal a sound bite off someone else

Whilst never hitting upon out and out satire the subtle , somewhat cynical nature of THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP entirely rings true . Not only is Tony Blair wanting to be best friends with the USA he also wants to be best friends with everyone in Europe in general and the French in particular . He assures French President Jacques Chirac that " I've always been a European and will always remain a European " . Jump forward to May 1997 and Blair is taking congratulations from Chirac over the phone only for the call to be cancelled when President Clinton calls . What makes the scene so amusing is that Blair is crestfallen when he realises Clinton has him on hold . I'll say one thing about Blair and that is he's very forgiving . Most people would have held a grudge at this display of bad manners . That said however very few people spend their entire lives trying to be best friends with the most powerful man on the planet . What the film is very good at it is comparing the contrast between Blair and Clinton . Blair comes across as a rather weak personality but a brilliant politician where as Clinton comes across as a weak politician but having a forceful personality compensating for his character and political flaws

What the film does rather badly - and it's a pretty big fault - is the motivation of the two leaders over Kosovo . Blair and Clinton had a difference of opinion over the conflict with the American President wanting to limit the war to air strikes while the British Prime Minister wanted to send a NATO ground force in to the province from the outset . But is this actually true ? If so why'd Blair suddenly turn in to a real life Russell Crowe character ? Were his motives genuine or was he just wanting to impress his best friend President Clinton . We've all seen the real life Tony Blair give Churchillian speeches about upholding international law and human rights but was he really being so principled ? One hopes when we get THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP 2 - BUSH AND BLAIR we get to see much more behind closed door scenes honestly explaining why Blair seemed to hang on to Bush's coat tails so tightly

The cast as can be expected are very good . One can't help thinking what Michael Sheen would be like playing a fictional character . Imagine if Steven Moffat cast him as The Doctor in DOCTOR WHO . Would he be so good at playing someone from scratch ? He is certainly nothing less than brilliant playing diverse real life characters such as Kenneth Williams , David Frost and Brian Clough and it'd be very very uncharitable to state he seems to have played Tony Blair more often than Tony Blair did . Denis Quaid is an revelation as Bill Clinton and who can understand why Clinton got away with so much during his tenure of President by sheer force of personality alone . It's a very good on form cast who rise above the sometimes underwritten motives of their characters

An okay film of the ever lasting friendship with the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

[blanbrn · 7/10 · 23 December 2010]

This HBO original movie "The Special Relationship" is a well done drama that follows the inner workings and relationships between the U.S. and the United Kingdom. It mainly focuses on the friendship made between Bill Clinton and Tony Blair and it continues with the election of George W. Bush. Most compelling is seeing how Clinton and Blair try to match political styles. And the film show the struggles of Clinton especially his sex scandal with Monica. Plus Hillary is rightfully portrayed as ego driven and power hungry. The performances were dead on Sheen was brilliant as Blair and Dennis Quaid nailed Bill's southern draw just perfect. And Hope Davis was just fine as Hillary.

What can I say it's good to have an international friend and this movie showed how two prime leaders can get along and help make decisions. "The Special Relationship" is one good film to enjoy and feel comfortable with.

Surprisingly good!

[flyzone1 · 9/10 · 13 June 2010]

It seems movie reviews of this work are subject to the politics and realities of the event rather than the recreation and acting of this surprisingly good story. Dennis Quaid, who I've never seen do anything above mediocre work usually just mirroring himself, was just outstanding as Bill Clinton. I think it is by far his best piece of acting to date. Equally so for Michael Sheen who I am less familiar with. Both men did a good job of presenting the personalities, complexities and subtleties of each leader. "Hillary Clinton" didn't just look the part - she was Hillary (at least what we know of her). Bill was presented as the smart politician sleaze ball and failed leader of lost promise that he was. Tony Blair is presented as both a promising leader and sympathetic character doomed to eventual destruction. The story was able to project all this in its short 90 minutes. On top of that it was educational to boot. Good job!

A Fascinating Political Friendship

[artisticarista · 7/10 · 14 June 2016]

I am far too young to know the Monica Lewinsky/Bill Clinton scandal in detail, however, like most, I am aware of the basics surrounding it. What I found thoroughly enjoyable was the chance to watch the"supporting cast" during the scandal.

Hilary Clinton, as portrayed by Hope Davis, was a pleasure to watch - especially so since she's currently running for President! I truly felt her emotions throughout the film. From steadfast support to shock, to shame and embarrassment - Hope Davis perfectly displayed them all.

The chance to watch the relationship between Tony Blair and Bill Clinton was also immensely captivating. Again, Michael Sheen did an outstanding job of showing the audience Tony Blair's emotions throughout the film.

It wasn't the absolute best adaptation from that time period that I have ever seen, but I believe it is well worth a watch. I greatly appreciated the outstanding performances of the cast as I watched the Clinton/Blair relationship form and evolve during the Lewinsky trial.

The Special Relationship-It's Friendship All Right ***1/2

[edwagreen · 9/10 · 29 May 2010]

Dennis Quaid and Mr. Sheen are excellent in the roles of Clinton and Tony Blair respectively.

This starts out as Blair being a novice, and quite "nerdy." He looks for Clinton to be a mentor to him. Both are basically liberal and they want to change society from the right that has dominated both countries.

It is the Sheen character that really matures as the film goes on. He takes the command regarding Kosovo and comes to Clinton's aid during the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

I question the performance of Hope Davis as Hillary Clinton here. While it is true that Hillary has been depicted for her rather cold veneer, Davis seems to miss the mark. It is only when she is senator-elect that she embodies Hillary Clinton.

The woman playing Cherie Blair is excellent.

There is a good taste of history in this film with the peace efforts in Ireland between Sinn Fein and the IRA.

With the style change of a George W. Bush, the film ends, but we have to remember that Blair was an ardent support of Bush's policy is Iraq.

Two leaders interact on a political and personal level

[barryrd · 7/10 · 5 December 2010]

This movie gives an entertaining and intriguing glimpse at two recent leaders of Britain and America, Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, and how they connected on a personal and political level. We have heard a great deal about the Bush-Blair relationship but the Clinton-Blair connection has not been the same grist for the mill. They are kindred spirits in politics but their personal styles are another matter. So the clashes seem inevitable as Clinton comes across as an insightful but boorish President to Blair's calculating idealism.

Dennis Quaid as Bill Clinton gives a superb performance as the ex-President, while Michael Sheen is the eager-to-learn protégé, Tony Blair. One forgets that it is Quaid and not Clinton on the screen; the portrayal is that close to the mark. The intense Blair is more difficult to pin down but Michael Sheen has played Blair before and again gives a competent performance.

Helen McCrory as Cherie Blair and Hope Davis as Hillary Clinton fit their supporting characters as well, particularly Hope Davis as the former First Lady. Davis conveys the steely determination of the ambitious Rodham-Clinton. McCrory is the anti-establishment spouse who is more attuned to taking pot shots from the sidelines.

All in all, an interesting take on the two leaders and their spouses as they wade through domestic and international crises, ranging from Kosovo and Northern Ireland to the Lewinsky affair. This is a movie that I would readily watch again. It deals in a compelling way with two very fascinating men whose stories are still fresh in the public mind but whose legacies are still undecided.

Complete fiction.

[valkyrgraphicdesign · 4/10 · 13 July 2022]

So, as far as the film stands as a film, it is ok, decent acting, some nice shots all in all, a film.

Now, the reality of what happened is not portrayed here, Tony Blair seems to be the generic good guy just trying his best whereas in the real world the only reason these men aren't in prison for war crimes is because we would then have to openly admit that we invaded a country based on lies, which will never happen.

So if you can watch this as a work of fiction it becomes much better, but essentially just a film to stroke the ego's of war criminals to try and justify their actions.

Good political drama.

[petarmatic · 6/10 · 20 March 2014]

I was surprised to find out how good this political drama was going to be. I did not expect much, but received quite a solid political drama.

First I am curious how truthful are these political conversations and events depicted in the film. I always wondered and I am still wondering how much depth script writers have when they write political drama like this? How much real truth do we get? I never had a chance to find that out and probably never will.

Plot is interesting and the fact that USA and the UK considered ground troops and full invasion of Serbia is still a novelty to me. I never knew that was on the table. I am sorry they did not go with the full invasion and occupation of Serbia, like they did with Germany and Japan in WWII. It just shows to us how impotent Western powers can be sometimes. Serbia deserved to be demoted to the third! Full stop! Actin is still something to be desired in this film. Only actors who acted Tony Blair and Cherry Blair were up to par. The rest of the actors, I am not sure, I would not cast them again.

All in all if you like political drama this is a film for you.

Blair and Bubba: A Love Story.

[dunmore_ego · 7/10 · 30 December 2010]

"All political friendship is strategic and conditional." --Tony Blair adviser.

A touching bromance between two heads of state.

The Special Relationship refers to that unspoken sexual tension between America and any other country that needs to suckle at her black milk teat so she won't crush them like Hulk crushes puny humans.

THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP here alludes to the maternal suckling that President Bill Clinton offered Prime Minister Tony Blair when he took office, acting as adviser, mentor, and dirty uncle who exposed himself.

Dennis Quaid is uncanny as Clinton, getting the voice, attitude and hair exactly right; Hope Davis is superb as Hillary, down to the witch's cackle. And Michael Sheen is Tony Blair once again on film. (I was unaware that SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP is in fact the third in writer Peter Morgan's own "special relationship" with Tony Blair as his subject, the first being THE DEAL (2003) then THE QUEEN (2006), all starring Sheen as Blair. Who woulda thought Tony Blair warranted a trilogy?!)

RELATIONSHIP is a whirlwind fly-on-the-wall drama, a behind-the-scenes snapshot of a few moments in political history; as Clinton came into his second term as president, Blair was being elected Prime Minister. Movie follows two main events in their interaction - Bubba's Lewinsky indiscretion and how Blair stood by him, and Bubba's Kosovo decisions and how Blair stood over him.

All these historical figures are still alive so it is with some speculation we listen to their bedroom chatter, prying into two couples talking about each other the way couples do. While Clinton relaxes on a bed popping chocolates into his mouth, he remarks to Hillary about how handsome Blair is; while Blair's wife Cherie (Helen McCrory) is amused at the U.S. press calling Bill and Hillary "Billary." (Would Blair and Bubba then be "Blubba"?)

And what exactly did Bill tell Hillary about Monica? We see him confess like your average contrite philanderer to his frowning, icy wife - yet I very much doubt a president would prostrate himself so emotionally without also an eye towards the indomitable power he wields on the world stage and his wife's conduit to that power were she to keep her mouth shut.

On Lewinsky, Blair remarks, "What he does is a private matter and it doesn't affect his ability to govern," publicly standing shoulder to shoulder with Clinton. Supporting a president in return for that president's friendship offers an insight into what might have made Blair W's lapdog. We now see that if one were unaware of Bush's flagrant stupidity, one would adopt the same supportive stance of the American presidency. However, in hindsight, Blair obviously bet on the wrong horse with Bush Jr, and irrevocably sullied his own legacy.

SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP keeps the kid gloves on - a little apologist, a little leftist rewriting of history, a little extra sheen on The Sheen; it is, after all, a towering tribute to Tony. (And we thought only superheroes and hobbits warranted trilogies!) Clinton looks like a man who PROBABLY had an affair, and Blair looks dignified and astute in standing up to Clinton against pussyfooting in Kosovo.

In 1999, Blair wanted ground troops in Kosovo to augment NATO air strikes against the ethnic cleansing being prosecuted by Yugoslav president Milosevic. Clinton disagreed. Much pouting ensues. Until Blair gives a fiery speech worthy of a King or a Kennedy, "...Let no one doubt again the moral justification for invading another country for humanitarian ends!" making 70% of Americans at the time poll that they wouldn't mind Blair as president. And we clearly see the signposts leading to why Blair supported Idiot Bush's Iraq.

Newspaper article: "Listening to the press conference one could not help but note how much Clinton could have learned from his Churchillian comrade."

In these men's storied lives, only so much can be crammed into two hours screen time, so before we know it, Blair and Clinton are watching W steal the 2000 election from Al Gore on TV. Blair believed, "I would be the senior partner now, Bush would be the junior." And Clinton offers advice, "These guys play rough. Their administration was born in controversy, national shame and illegality - and it's my bet that's the way they'll go out." It's a great line, but was Bill really that prescient?

Blair opined he would much rather be in the big room with the people making the decisions than left out. Well, turns out he WAS allowed into the Bush regime's fold by President Dick Cheney - but was relegated to scapegoat and red-headed child.

Movie ends with real footage of new president George W. Bush and Tony Blair publicly affirming the relationship between their two countries. And I think this ending warrants another beginning - now we definitely require a Part IV to Peter Morgan's insightful series: "Blair and Bush - The Bitchboy Years." Where once he showed such courage against the establishment, poor Blair was unwittingly caught in the cogs of unbridled stupidity and became the establishment's whipping boy, but if anyone can do it, Morgan would be the researcher to mitigate Blair's bungled alliance during Bush's acid reign.

In relationships - even special ones - everyone deserves a second chance at bromance.

eh

[duaneincali · 6/10 · 24 June 2020]

I literally thought it was about b. clinton and intern monia lewinsky. that would have been better. not the worst, but, it just didn't grab me. especially in relation to Blair. I'm tired of seeing him as a boy scout. let's dig deeper people!

Politcs as character

[paul2001sw-1 · 7/10 · 25 September 2010]

The joy of writer Peter Morgan's films about British politics is the seductive plausibility of their imaginative reality. Instead of brimming with vicious cynicism, he's more interested in inventing a human dimension behind the strange public faces of figures such as Blair, Brown, and the royal family. In this film, his third featuring Martin Sheen playing Blair as an over-eager schoolboy, the greatest delight came in the deft (and surprisingly soft) portrayal of his wife Cherie. And yet the limits of the approach are maybe more apparent in this film than in the other two, both of which focused on his earlier career. Morgan takes his script in the right direction - to explore how Blair came to support the neo-conservative policies of Geroge W. Bush (although portraying Bill Clinton as Blair's social democratic conscience is frankly a bit rich). But the absence of any focus on British domestic policy seems a bit limiting. Blair's recently published memoirs indicate that a man who once a popular hero who saved the British Labour party from self-destruction now appears in agreement with the right on more than just foreign policy. And in spite of the attractive thesis of Morgan's story, I don't think that this can be entirely explained in terms of personal chemistry. But it's fun to imagine that it was.

Rather disappointing

[Vindelander · 6/10 · 13 October 2021]

I expected more from this with such a fantastic cast but I found Michael Sheen's portrayal of Blair as the simpering sycophant that he is too much. Generally the storyline was a bit weak although based on the facts.

Still a good reminder of a terrible part of our political history and how Bliar launched himself onto the world stage.

fantastic

[borr-3 · 10/10 · 17 January 2011]

I enjoyed every minute of this film and think it represents the best in political filmmaking. As a former high school civics teacher, I wish I had had a film like this to show my classes on the inner workings of real government. I highly recommend that teachers rent this film along with "All the President's Men" to explore both the weaknesses and strengths of our democratic system.

Dennis Quaid was Bill Clinton.

I found the film to be even-handed and responsible in covering events in our history that many of us wish had never happened. Loved the kitchen scene after Bush's victory speech between Blair and Clinton.

Don't miss the opportunity to rent or buy this film!

Interesting

[wheatley-20230 · 7/10 · 17 October 2021]

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.

The not so Special Relationship

[freemantle_uk · 8/10 · 6 November 2010]

Peter Morgan obviously has two obsessions in his life, Tony Blair and Michael Sheen. He is one of the few big name writers around and after looking at the rise of Tony Blair and how he dealt with the death of Princess Diana, he tackles his first few years a Prime Minister and his friendship with Bill Clinton.

The Special Relationship starts in 1992 with Tony Blair's (Sheen) famous visit to America after Bill Clinton (Dennis Quiad) was elected President and in 1996 when as Leader of the Opposition was given almost a state visit by the President. As Prime Minister Blair and Clinton become close friends, believing they could usher in a new centre left progressive age around the world. They work closely together during the Northern Ireland peace process and the Monica Lewinsky scandal, before differing over Kosovo.

Morgan is of course a very talented writer, with The Jury, The Deal, The Last King of Scotland and Frost/Nixon all being excellent pieces of work. In a 90 minute package Morgan tries to cover as much ground as possible: anyone interested in government and politics will be hooked to the film. But this is a blurred vision of what happened and this is a fiction because we really don't know what happened behind closed doors. Morgan sets out to show Blair and Clinton were friends more on a political level then a personal level, with Clinton and his staff more willing to ignore Blair. This is a slightly bias account because Morgan ignores that Alistair Campbell (Mark Bazeley) was in reality a vile piece of work when it came to power and the media, always looking for a fight or that Cherie Blair (Helen McCrory) is the type of woman who enjoys all the benefits of power, such as nice shopping trips and getting free gifts. The film also suffers from the benefit of hindsight, with Clinton predicting a new progressive age, considering that he was suffering from a right-wing Republican Congress and America is a right-wing country, coming up with characters that are even worst (Bush Jr. and Sarah Palin), or that Blair seeing it as the West's moral duty to go into Kosovo, leading to some of his arguments with Iraq. The political discussions and philosophy is interesting, but it would have been good to have more of how government and international relations functions.

Sheen has made the role of Tony Blair his own and no one else could command that role like he does. He is able to show Blair as either a caring man who thinks he is doing what he thinks is doing the right thing to a selfish man who is only interested in power for himself. But Quiad was a poor choice as Clinton. Quiad was obviously trying his best but he did not have to the look nor able to capture his voice or mannerisms. The other supporting actors were also strong performances.

Richard Loncraine does have a form making TV movies, with The Gathering Storm being an award winning film. Considering the material could be dry he was able to tell an fast paced film, balancing the different plots, but it was clear he was working with a limited budget. Many of the scenes were internal and stock footage was used. Loncraine and Morgan should have made The Special Relationship should have been grander, either with electioneering, the planning for the work or the on going struggles the two politicians had to face. It would have been great to see how someone like Aaron Sorkin would have handled the material with his flair and knowledge of politics. Loncraine is not Stephen Freers who handled Morgan's previous Morgan and Sheen originally wanted to make a film about Blair and Bush Jr. but thought that relationship with Clinton was more interesting. That is true because it was more of a partnership between Blair and Clinton because under Bush Blair just gave in to him on everything, Iraq, mission defence and extradition and got nothing in return. Under Bush Blair was a puppet and we all remember during the 2006 Lebanon War Bush just dismissing Blair, with Blair not standing up to Bush. Bush and the neo-cons were so dogmatic that if anyone dogmatic that they set out to destroy or ignore any one who criticised them. It was his way or no way.

Disappointing

[eastbergholt2002 · 5/10 · 13 June 2010]

The Special Relationship is a disappointing and shallow film about Tony Blair's relationship with two U.S. presidents. Blair is a conundrum and probably only his wife really knows what makes him tick. Peter Morgan has almost become Blair's official biographer in film, however his take on Blair seems superficial and simple-minded. Morgan's Blair is likable, charismatic, loyal and sincere. He's also a devoted family man and a Christian. In this film he is constantly trying to do the right thing and comes off like a cross between a soap-opera character and a secular saint. Most people in Britain wouldn't buy into this interpretation.

The men and women who become the leaders of countries are usually incredibly ambitious, manipulative and complicated. They often like Clinton and Kennedy have potentially self destructive appetites. Blair we are meant to believe is just like a suburban dad. I have always been somewhat cynical about Blair's motives. When I first came across him during an election campaign in 1983 he was a socialist who recommended nationalization and nuclear disarmament. He gradually moved to the right and around 2003 became a fully fledged neocon.

This film suggests that Blair was basically a good guy trying to help the oppressed peoples of the world. For most people in Britain he is someone who put the interests of the United States above those of his own country. Not surprisingly he is still popular in the US but at home he hasn't been forgiven for supporting the Iraq War and for claiming that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. Blair left office with approval ratings in the mid-twenties and British newspaper columnists love to write negative articles about him. The big mystery is what motivated his course of action, until his liaison with Bush he was popular. Since his resignation in 2007 Blair has done well financially out of his unwavering support for US foreign policy. In Polanski's the Ghost Writer it is even suggested that Blair was working for the CIA. It's a mystery this film doesn't help solve. MI5 has gone on record to say that Saddam wasn't a threat to Britain in 2003.

The Special Relationship is a throw-back to the biopics of the 1940s when "great men" were viewed sympathetically. I am looking forward to someday watching a film about the real Tony Blair. He is a more interesting character than the portrait painted in this simple-minded rationalization.

Dennis Quaid brings power and humanity to a distinct historical figure

[Likes_Ninjas90 · 8/10 · 5 August 2010]

This is set during the 90s with hopeful Labour candidate Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) looking to help his party claim victory in a general election for the first time in over twenty years. He intends to boost his popularity by meeting with the US President Bill Clinton (Dennis Quaid). The plan works for the polls and it also sparks a friendship between the two leaders. One aspect they share in common is that they are both watched over by their dominant wives Hilary Clinton (Hope Davis) and Cherie Blair (Helen McCrory). Their friendship continues over the years and is tested most fiercely during the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Despite being mocked by the other world leaders, Blair stands up for Clinton without knowing the whole truth. Having shown his loyalty, Blair sees this as an opportunity to pressure the experienced US President when it counts most, specifically during the Bosnian War. He calls upon the reluctant US government to commit ground troops to combat the invasion, further testing his friendship with Clinton.

Despite having the credentials of Peter Morgan as a screenwriter, who previously wrote The Queen and Frost/Nixon, this compelling film is not being as widely distributed as it should be. It is being released in only three countries, including the US as a telemovie by HBO. It is disappointing that it will not reach a wider audience because director Richard Loncraine has taken a new side of the Clinton/Lewinsky drama, showing the development of a power game that would haunt Blair throughout the rest of his political career. As with Frost/Nixon the main players here are shown in a human light but with slightly more humour this time. Both Blair and Clinton are shown at home, interacting with their families to make them seem more relatable before their fatal mistakes. It pays off in the final third, the most intensely told portion of the story, with Blair's self-righteousness and overtly Christian values becoming more apparent as he tries to justify the British and US involvement with the Bosnian crisis. The film is structured like a Greek tragedy, given that Blair's hubris takes over, believing that his involvement with the Republicans will be a similar relationship to the one he shared with Clinton. It is because of the disaster of the war in Iraq that the audience realises that this will not be the case, giving the film powerful dramatic irony. It is with these final moments of The Special Relationship, particularly when Clinton warns him about what is to come, that the film accentuates its point and truly soars.

The essence of this film is a character study and the performances are uniformly excellent. Although Dennis Quaid might have once seemed like a rather unlikely choice to play Clinton he embodies this role so well that it becomes more than just an impersonation. He balances the key aspects of Clinton's leadership, as a hugely charismatic and inviting person but there is also something far more sinister that arises in him when he confronts Blair about the crisis. The film asserts that Clinton never stopped being a politician, even in the face of Hilary when he lies straight to her about his involvement with Lewinsky. The only hint of vulnerability he shares is when he looks out a car window at the US Capitol, perhaps realising the dwindling nature of his legacy and reputation. Michael Sheen has played Blair before and here he characterises him as a bumbling Englishman who is initially in awe of his situation. The way that he becomes more and more self-assured does not feel rushed or contrived but entirely believable because of our knowledge about the sort of person he would grow into. The roles of both women have not been underwritten either. They're both characterised and performed sharply as powerful and unflinching. Though there are light comic touches applied to Cherie, such as when Blair asks if she would leave him under the same circumstances and she says: "no...but I would make your life hell".

This is an intense and grossing political drama that not only speaks about transnational negotiations but it also broadens one's perspective of particular political events and how they would influence the future. The events are told precisely with both humour and intensity, begging the question as to why the film itself has such minimal distribution. Those that do see the film will be engaged by the quality of the top performances, particularly Dennis Quaid who brings power and humanity to a distinct historical figure. It's an important political film because it reflects on how these events would continue to influence some of the most significant choices made by politicians in the 21st century.

HOPE CLINTON

[nogodnomasters · 8/10 · 3 December 2018]

The movie centers primarily on Tony Blair and how the political genius of Bill Clinton helped him along until student became master. Hope Davis owns Hillary Clinton. She did a better job portraying her than perhaps Tina Fey does Palin. Quaid had down Clinton's speech but he simply didn't look like him. The movie starts with an obscure Blair studying the US 1992 campaign to see how the Democrats turned things around. (It is easier for a political party to change its views than it is to change the views of the people.)

Cherie Blair is envious of Hillary because Bill shares his power with her as she is his closest adviser. The movie then moves to Ireland then goes through the Monica scandal and climaxes with Blair becoming the master politician over Bosnia-Kosovo genocide. Ominous music is played when Bush is elected (hint at liberal bias). I found the movie to be extremely interesting and more entertaining than I expected. What the movie doesn't show is how Blair got dismantled over his special relationship with Bush and the Iraqi war, although Clinton's final words were that of a warning to Blair NOT to get close to Bush and questions if Blair is a true progressive.

There is some sex talk over the Monica affair and Hillary does drop the f-bomb once.