The Special Relationship (2010)

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.

The Special Relationship is between two men, United States President Bill Clinton played by Dennis Quaid and British Prime Minister Tony Blair played again by Michael Sheen OBE. In this film, it examines their friendship and relationship over the course of the Bosnian conflict in the later nineties. It also includes their wives. Hillary Rodham Clinton is played perfectly by Hope Davis. Cherie Blair is played well by Helen McCrory. This film would be wonderful to show school children but because of Clinton's misconduct with Monica Lewinsky and the lewd language. It should not shown at least passed over. I love Michael Sheen's Tony Blair and Dennis Quaid does a fabulous Bill Clinton. It's like a platonic love affair between two men both who admire each other but have differences. The writing could be better but there are great moments in the film between the couples as well.

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!

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)