About The Special Relationship (2010)
From the Oscar®-nominated writer and producers of Frost/Nixon and The Queen, comes a powerful new look at the human side of iconic world leaders. In 1993, Tony Blair was a rising young star in British politics. Three years later he ran for Prime Minister and began a “special relationship” with U.S. President Bill Clinton that endured through triumph, conflict and personal scandal. HBO Films presents Michael Sheen, Golden Globe® nominee Dennis Quaid, Emmy® and Golden Globe nominee Hope Davis, and Helen McCrory in the behind-the-scenes story of two world leaders who forged a loyal, if tempestuous, friendship out of the crucible of political necessity: The Special Relationship.
Starring: Michael Sheen, Dennis Quaid, Hope Davis, Helen McCrory
Directed by: Richard Loncraine
Runtime: 88 minutes
Studio: HBO
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Review: The Special Relationship
I’m not an expert on politics but do like to keep an eye on current affairs. The end of the Labour government in the UK last year and the emergence of the coalition suggested not everyone was keen for the last of Labour and there just wasn’t enough support for the Conservatives alone. Tony Blair’s time in power (1997-2007) wasn’t without its controversies and the consensus view of him in the UK, at least I believe so, is a negative one. Richard Loncraine’s The Special Relationship follows The Deal (2003) and The Queen (2006) in depicting different stages of Blair’s career. This time we gain an insight into foreign politics and the UK’s continued friendship with the US.
The film is very much an account of the contrasting fortunes of Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) and Bill Clinton (Dennis Quaid). It chronicles Blair’s first encounter with Clinton in 1992 when he was inspired to reshape the Labour Party and would eventually lead them to a landslide victory in 1997. The film concludes with the end of Clinton’s reign of power and we briefly touch on the next “special relationship” for Tony Blair with George Bush, one which offered much promise but would end with both men’s name immersed in controversy following the war in Iraq (2003–).
The Special Relationship is very much a depiction of Tony Blair and Bill Clinton as the David and Goliath in politics at the time of their first meeting. Blair is in awe of Clinton’s government and his decision to reform Labour with inspiration from Clinton is one of many factors that leads to an early friendship for the two men. In 1994 Clinton predicts that Blair will one day be the Prime Minister and when he does rise to power in the UK the “special relationship” of the title continues for the US and UK. Clinton seems to hold all the advantages over his political ally. Blair is finding his feet as Prime Minister and Clinton is on hand to guide him especially when it comes to dealing with the situation in Northern Ireland.
US egotism is depicted in the film with Hilary Clinton (Hope Davis) looking down on Tony and Cherie (Helen McCrory) Blair though always willing to partake of social occasions especially for the benefit of the media. There is a surprising reversal of roles in the film when revelations of Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky come to the fore. At first dismissing the rumours, Clinton is later forced to back track and confess to Hilary of his infidelities. Worse follows for Clinton with the horrific ethnic cleansing in Kosovo which leaves the President with a difficult decision on whether to commit US forces to halt the atrocities. Blair takes the initiative as Clinton wavers and pressures the President to act. Although Clinton does commit US help in early 1999 the US press hail Blair as a hero for getting things moving. Clinton goes from politically superior and in control to resentful of Blair who takes over as the media darling while Clinton is portrayed as indecisive and with Lewinsky scandal casting an unwanted shadow over his presidency. It’s the end of the road for Blair and Clinton but while the President’s time in power heads to its conclusion in 2001 Blair remains prominent and adapts easily to a new relationship with the next President – George Bush.
The Special Relationship is quite a short film and although the acting was good (Sheen always makes a good Blair) I found the overall experience pretty limited. The Lewinsky scandal I felt could have been explored further but I appreciate this is about the relationship between Blair and Clinton. The film is more of a brief summary of events rather than an in-depth and involving insight that many audiences would have preferred. While not a bad film I think there are some areas that could be addressed to make this a more interesting 90 minutes.
The Special Relationship is a good summary of the relationship between Tony Blair and Bill Clinton but there is little in the way of detail and when the film is over you’ll feel you’ve only learned a little rather than gained many new insights into the continued friendship between the UK and the US. The decision was made not to explore Blair’s relationship with Bush so maybe that film is still to come but as for this one, we have Blair as a political hero rather than the controversial figure he is today.
Verdict: 3/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
Film Review: The Special Relationship | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
