|
Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
|
Reviews
DVD Description
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.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Let me begin by saying that I enjoyed this BBC-HBO production immensely, largely because of Michael Sheen's nuanced portrayal of Tony Blair. I have to acknowledge, however, that viewer reactions might be based upon how one feels about both Blair and Clinton. Some might find the film either too pro- or too con, because of the writers' and director's determination to keep the scenario firmly anchored in the middle of the political road, allowing the viewer to make up his mind on whether Blair began his political career as a novice, learned the political tricks of the trade (no pun intended) from a master conjurer, and then surpassed his mentor in dealing squarely with political reality.
The director is particularly neutral in his attitude toward the present Secretary of State, well acted by Hope Davis, while he allows (constantly munching) Dennis Quaid as her philandering husband a cringing leer, when she questions him about the truth of the Scandal; and Helen McCrory's Cherie, at times, suggests a crypto-Lady MacBeth in waiting. Not quite over-the-top performances, but almost!
Michael Sheen's often-underplayed portrayal of Blair keeps the film on track. He conveys a combination of vulnerable charm that soon emerges as infectious charisma--that the original does possess, whether one approves of him politically or not. Watching Sheen's portrayal, I found myself, at first, constantly readjusting my perspective, telling myself: "no, Sheen doesn't look at all like Blair." Soon, however, I forgot any initial scepticism, accepting Sheen's Tony-persona without reserve.
I therefore wish that the cinematographer had photo-shopped Sheen into the final newsreel scenes, because the sight of the real Blair brought me back to reality; but perhaps a sudden dose of reality is exactly what the director had in mind.
The director is particularly neutral in his attitude toward the present Secretary of State, well acted by Hope Davis, while he allows (constantly munching) Dennis Quaid as her philandering husband a cringing leer, when she questions him about the truth of the Scandal; and Helen McCrory's Cherie, at times, suggests a crypto-Lady MacBeth in waiting. Not quite over-the-top performances, but almost!
Michael Sheen's often-underplayed portrayal of Blair keeps the film on track. He conveys a combination of vulnerable charm that soon emerges as infectious charisma--that the original does possess, whether one approves of him politically or not. Watching Sheen's portrayal, I found myself, at first, constantly readjusting my perspective, telling myself: "no, Sheen doesn't look at all like Blair." Soon, however, I forgot any initial scepticism, accepting Sheen's Tony-persona without reserve.
I therefore wish that the cinematographer had photo-shopped Sheen into the final newsreel scenes, because the sight of the real Blair brought me back to reality; but perhaps a sudden dose of reality is exactly what the director had in mind.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
Engaging, well-written and even-handed, 'The Special Relationship' is another film to add to the list of good political dramas of the last five years. The film's focus, though, differs to most other political dramas in that it is largely low-key and family based; an interesting tack that allows the film to showcase Bill Clinton's admittance of his infidelity to the beleaguered Hilary (a superb Hope Davis), and Blair's personal struggle to gain popularity and political power; being the junior partner of the relationship at the film's opening, in a more personal context. Indeed, this family-oriented setting provides a solid backdrop to the revelations on everything from the Lewinski affair to Northern Ireland; and the approach of seeing how it may have affected the Blair and Clinton households gives the film an interesting and original extra dimension. The performances as a whole are good; Dennis Quaid grows into his role of Clinton well, and Michael Sheen is decent, if a little meek as Tony Blair; whilst the supporting cast (Hope Davis in particular) are very solid. 'The Special Relationship' is also a film which looks great, especially on Blu-Ray; with it's panoramic shots of the White House, the intimate scenes of Downing Street's kitchen, and the faux-'90s press-conference style footage. Though there's nothing incredible about 'The Special Relationship', it is a very good and insightful political piece that will strongly appeal to anyone interested in the PM/President political dynamic, or politics in general.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
The script is good and the film is well made, but it's really the casting that makes this so worthwhile. Michael Sheen is excellent in his third film as Tony Blair. Dennis Quaid might not look much like Bill Clinton, but he certainly sounds the part and Hope Davis is very convincing as the First Lady.
Whether the Blu Ray format adds much to this type of docudrama is debateable, but I would recommend this film however you see it. To those not overly-familiar with UK politics, perhaps it's worth watching The Deal, The Queen and The Special Relationship in order.
Whether the Blu Ray format adds much to this type of docudrama is debateable, but I would recommend this film however you see it. To those not overly-familiar with UK politics, perhaps it's worth watching The Deal, The Queen and The Special Relationship in order.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Sheen and Quaid - A Special Relationship
This was an easy political drama for me to watch, with Sheen and Quaid being two of my favourite actors. That said, all the supporting cast were very good. Read more
Published 15 months ago by P. Ward
Very convincing
This is a great TV Movie ! A very interesting subject matter is tackled by fine screenplay writers and great cast. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mr. Mg Reynolds
brave film
I say this was brave as it didn't go for the obvious - ie George Bush and Iraq storyline, instead it looks back beyond this to the Clinton era and was more refreshing for it. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Chris
Excellent Film
I have just finished watching this film and I have to say it is very good. Both the lead performances are amazing, especially Dennis Quaid who's interpretation of Bill Clinton is... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mr. R. Bond
That dog won't hunt
I have liked everything that Michael Sheen was done recently.
He was great in Damned United and he plays a good Tony Blair. Read more
He was great in Damned United and he plays a good Tony Blair. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Peter Wade
A Changing Relationship.
I watched this on the BBC, and although I hadn't planned on watching it, I was hooked in minutes. Sheen gives his usual excellent performance as Blair, for the third time, but it's... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Graeme Stewart
Completing the Blair Trilogy
This film is a superb example of a well crafted modern political drama.
The events are set between 1992 and 2001 and focus on the 'Special Relationship' between British... Read more
The events are set between 1992 and 2001 and focus on the 'Special Relationship' between British... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Andrew Whitby
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
