The Special Relationship (2010)

A dramatization that traces former U.K. prime minister Tony Blair's relationships with Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Director:

Richard Loncraine

Writer:

Peter Morgan

Stars:

Michael Sheen, Demetri Goritsas, Adam Godley

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 11 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Michael Sheen	...	Tony Blair
Demetri Goritsas	...	Strategist
Adam Godley	...	Jonathan Powell
Marc Rioufol	...	Jacques Chirac
Mark Bazeley	...	Alastair Campbell
Helen McCrory	...	Cherie Blair
Nancy Crane	...	Protocol Officer
Dennis Quaid	...	Bill Clinton
John Schwab	...	Reporter
Hope Davis	...	Hillary Clinton
Kerry Shale	...	Advisor to the Clintons
Lara Pulver	...	Intern
Eric Meyers	...	American Journalist
Rufus Wright	...	British Journalist
Matthew Marsh	...	Foreign Policy Advisor

Storyline

In 1992 Labour leader Tony Blair goes to America and is impressed by the policies of President Clinton,which he uses to reshape his party. Two years later he is invited back for an audience with Clinton,who,rightly, predicts that he will be Britain's next Prime Minister.Thus begins the 'special relationship' between the two, though Clinton is clearly the senior partner with Blair seeking his advice on Northern Ireland. The situation in Kosovo however reverses the roles as Blair forces American intervention by a reluctant president and is seen in the American media as the hero of the hour. As Clinton accuses his ally of stabbing him in the back the special relationship starts to sour and,with Clinton ultimately out of the White House,Blair takes his first photo call with the next incumbent,Bush.

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Plot Keywords:

british prime minister

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Taglines:

Never underestimate the politics of friendship.

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

29 May 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Untitled Peter Morgan Project

Filming Locations:

Brooklands Industrial Park, Weybridge, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rainmark Films, HBO Films, BBC Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

David Morrissey was asked to reprise his role of Gordon Brown, however he left before filming because his character only had one scene. In the end Chris Wilson played the role.

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Goofs

When Tony Blair visits Washington in 1992, he is picked up from the airport in a 1998 Lincoln Town Car. Also visible in this scene is a 1995 Lincoln Town Car, two 1998 Ford Crown Victorias and a 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis.

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Quotes

Bill Clinton: This Administration has been born in controversy, national shame and illegality, and it is my bet that that's the way they'll go out.

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Connections

Follows The Deal (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Friendship"
Written by Cole Porter
Performed by The New Broadway Cast Recording

User Reviews

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

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!