The Special Relationship is a political drama, produced by HBO, that aired in the U.S. on May 29, 2010 and will premiere on the BBC on September 18th. The title refers to the unique closeness between the United States and Great Britain. The term was first used in a 1946 speech by Winston Churchill. The movie focuses on the complex relationship between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bill Clinton during the years 1996 through 2000.
Micheal Sheen stars as Tony Blair. This is the third time he has played the Prime Minister. The first was in a British made for TV movie called The Deal (2003); that was followed by the feature film The Queen (2006) and a fourth film concerning Blair's resignation as Prime Minister is being considered. The film also features Dennis Quaid as Bill Clinton, Hope Davis ad Hillary Clinton and Helen McCrory as Cherie Blair. McCrory also played Cherie Blair in The Queen.
Blair starts out as a neophyte and subordinate to the president, but the Lewinsky affair and global events force a restructuring of their roles, until at the end, Blair is the stronger of the two. The film ends with the first meeting between Blair and newly elected George W. Bush.
Micheal Sheen is excellent as Blair. He should be since this is his third time playing the role. I found Dennis Quaid a distraction playing Bill Clinton. The voice was almost right, but the look was off. Sometimes he resembled Clinton and often he looked like Dennis Quaid in a silver wig. The acting and mannerisms were good, but I think they made a mistake trying to capture the look. I would have preferred the way they did Nixon with Anthony Hopkins, by relying on the essence of the man without going for a perfect resemblance. John Travolta played the role better in Primary Colors.
The movie takes us inside private conversations between Blair and Clinton and Clinton and Hillary, but most of the film focuses on public appearances and historical events such as the war in Kosovo and the press conference that took place with Blair and Clinton at the height of the Lewinsky scandal.
The movie was nominated for five Emmy Awards. If you have HBO it is definitely worth a look.
At the Movie House rating **1/2 stars.
Other Films of Interest
Primary Colors
The Queen
W.
The Deal
2 comments:
I watch HBO all the time, and this is the first time that I've heard of this film.
Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Interesting?...Perhaps, but really, why even make this movie?...What is it they are trying to sell us about Tony Blair?....A do nothoing moderate....I would think Thatcher Reagen would make a much more interested and spirited movie no matter what side of the aisle you are on....but then again, the leftists in hollywood aren;t too fond of the two people that helped bring down Communism...Although the real strong man was the Pope
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