The Special Relationship

The title of this entertaining 2010 HBO movie generally refers to the special bond between the United States and Britain, but the focus is on President Bill Clinton (Dennis Quaid) and Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) during the 1990s. Clinton is riding high when the two first meet, inviting Blair to the White House even before the latter has been elected. Blair, who's like a puppy to Bubba's alpha dog, basks in the attention. Once both are in office, these kindred spirits plan to marginalize the right wing and establish a permanent center-left majority. But caught up in the Monica Lewinsky scandal and facing impeachment, Clinton simply stands by—unwilling to take a firm stand on the war and ethnic cleansing in Kosovo—while Blair emerges as the far more decisive, compassionate, and charismatic figure. Written by Peter Morgan (whose earlier films include The Deal and The Queen, both of which also featured Sheen as Blair) and directed by Richard Loncraine, The Special Relationship is a very engaging film, particularly during the private conversations between the principals—especially Clinton's gradual confessions of adultery to wife Hillary (Hope Davis). The casting is also exceptional: Sheen now pretty much owns the Blair role, while Helen McCrory also played Blair's wife Cherie in The Queen. On the other side of the pond, Quaid effectively captures Clinton's persona, and Davis is terrific as the woman whose ambition and steely resolve are not about to be sidetracked by Bill's shenanigans. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a “making-of” featurette (5 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for a winning film.] (S. Graham)