The Special Relationship

[Spudregus_87]

uWHjHMrRiE4

96lI9pDH_cg


Just got back from seeing this one.

Set in Tony Blair's (Michael Sheen) first term in office, and Bill Clinton's (Dennis Quade) re-election as US President. Focus on Northern Ireland conflict, the Lewinski scandal and the Kosovo invasion.

Delves into the 'special relationship' dynamic (duh); shows a few behind-closed-doors meetings (fictional or otherwise), and depicts Clinton as the older brother figure to Blair, although Blair perceived as the more influential of the two in the end.

Blair's legacy also a focal point.

Great casting of both political figures, while Hope Davis is great as Hilary.

Would recommend, even if to just learn/refamiliarise yourself with some of the prolific political proceedings of the mid-late nineties in the UK & US.

Thoughts?

[Spudregus_87]

No love for this one I see.

Here's a review anyway (The Age):

An intimate study reveals who wore the pants during the Blair and Clinton years... (http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/the-special-relationship-20100806-11o96.html)

[Dirtywhirl]

Three times now is it that Sheen has played Tony Blair in film.

Throw in David Frost and Bryan Clough and he has the British public figure market cornered.

[StickWithEars]

Having not seen "The Deal" is it a reasonable thing to say the director, despite making him a cornerstone of three films, isn't much chop for Tony Blair? He just gives the impression that Blair is permanently star-struck, or a bit of a ditherer, although as the movie progresses he does come across a lot better.

Enjoyed the movie, it's a small insight into how charismatic ol' slick Willie was and what a hard-arse Hillary was/is (the woman who played her (Hope Davis?) absolutely nailed it).