The Special Relationship (2010)

86% of critics liked it
(21 reviews)
65% of users liked it
(1,999 ratings)

Screenwriter Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon, The Queen) explores the complex relationship that developed between former American President Bill Clinton and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair as the two progressive statesmen strived to unite their countries toward a common goal. The… More Screenwriter Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon, The Queen) explores the complex relationship that developed between former American President Bill Clinton and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair as the two progressive statesmen strived to unite their countries toward a common goal. The growing bond between President Clinton and Prime Minister Blair is later solidified by the fact that their wives, Hillary Clinton and Cherie Blair, seem to have just as much in common as their powerful husbands. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Richard Loncraine
Written By: Peter Morgan
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: May 29, 2010 Wide
On DVD: Nov 30, 2010
Studio: Home Box Office (HBO)

Critic Reviews

Michael Phillips, At the Movies
Very astute.
A.O. Scott, At the Movies
It's smart and believable and very well-acted.
Chris Cabin, Slant Magazine
This middling look at the stormy relationship between Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bill Clinton features both expert mimicry from Dennis Quaid and Hope Davis and Peter Morgan's most unfocused, overly ambitious script to date.
Simon Miraudo, Quickflix
The Special Relationship does indeed focus on a friendship between two (admittedly powerful) dudes, but this is more than a mere episode of Entourage. For one thing, stuff happens.
Matthew Toomey, ABC Radio Brisbane
[The] glimpse of the real Blair was far more interesting than the clichéd version we saw throughout the film.
Matthew Pejkovic, Matt's Movie Reviews
The third act in the chronicles of Tony Blair features Michael Sheen and scribe Peter Morgan in fine form, but a shaky turn by Dennis Quaid mars The Special Relationship from reaching its full potential.
Simon Weaving, Screenwize
A dramatically flat exploration of the friendship between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President Bill Clinton, as they navigate the personal and national challenges of high office.
Marc Fennell, Triple j
The most unintentionally homoerotic film of the year. Eventually you start willing them to make out. Solid script. Slightly unconvincing Clinton performance from Quaid.
Julie Rigg, MovieTime, ABC Radio National
As before, Michael Sheen is able to project a kind of toothy sincerity reminiscent of Tony Blair in the early stages of his political incumbency. There's a sweetness there, and at times, almost a naivity.
Philippa Hawker, The Age (Australia)
The relationship between Blair and Clinton never seems capable, dramatically speaking, of bearing the weight the film assigns to it.
Paul Byrnes, Sydney Morning Herald
The film is immensely entertaining, whether fair or not. Sheen is brilliant, as we have come to expect, but Quaid's Clinton is perhaps the greater surprise because he gets well beyond the charm.
Leigh Paatsch, Courier Mail (Australia)
The Special Relationship marks a worthy addition to Morgan's ever-expanding body of work as a modern historian of the big screen.
Peter Galvin, sbs.com.au
Still, for all its flaws there's a compelling energy in The Special Relationship.
David Stratton, At the Movies (Australia)
Lovers of political drama will be transfixed as these two immensely ambitious and powerful men make decisions that will change the world.
Thomas Caldwell, Cinema Autopsy
The Special Relationship almost functions as a strange sort of bromance between two men who heralded the arrival of a new approach to progressive centre-left politics.
Nick Dent, Sunday Mail (Australia)
The Special Relationship doesn't have the emotional impact of The Queen but it's a sharp examination of a brief time when the UK occupied a dynamic place on the world stage.
Glenn Dunks, Trespass
Sheen, quite frankly, looks bored out of his mind here and Loncraine's direction is flat and technically unadventurous. "Special" is definitely the wrong word to use to describe this relationship.
Mark Demetrius, FILMINK (Australia)
Fine performances anchor this entertaining film which provides real insight into the dynamics of power and politics.
Rima Sabina Aouf, Concrete Playground
It is an insightful portrait of the relationship between Blair and US President Bill Clinton that casts them as men of both action and accident, driven by ideals and petty personal proclivities.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Panta O

If you wander about the name of the movie, it comes from a phrase used to describe the close political, diplomatic, cultural and historical relations between the United Kingdom and the United States, following its use in a 1946 speech by British statesman Winston Churchill. The first… More
If you wander about the name of the movie, it comes from a phrase used to describe the close political, diplomatic, cultural and historical relations between the United Kingdom and the United States, following its use in a 1946 speech by British statesman Winston Churchill. The first drafts of the film dealt with Blair's special relationships with U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. However, screenwriter Peter Morgan excluded the Bush scenes from subsequent drafts (thus ending the narrative on January 20, 2001) because he found the Blair/Clinton dynamic more interesting. Morgan intended to make his directorial debut with the film but backed out a month before filming began and was replaced by Richard Loncraine. It is well executed movie with a real PR success... it managed to present two real war criminals as some kind of "liberators" with high moral standards...
Andrew P

It is a pleasure sometimes to sit back and watch Michael Sheen act, he is perfect in almost all of his roles and there is nothing different here. A political film which isn't exactly hard hitting nor trying to speak a message of values, it simply chronicles the story of two men… More
It is a pleasure sometimes to sit back and watch Michael Sheen act, he is perfect in almost all of his roles and there is nothing different here. A political film which isn't exactly hard hitting nor trying to speak a message of values, it simply chronicles the story of two men in power. I found it interesting and engaging, however I know it won't be for everyone.
Sunil J

Could have been better I think but interesting. Wasn't as into Quaid's Clinton as I was the other main three actors - great performaces from them.
Anthony V

Michael Sheen reprises his role as Tony Blair from The Queen. This time we have more insight to Blair as presented through his relationship will US President Bill Clinton. Dennis Quaid is believable as Clinton, but Hope Davis shines as Hillary. Doesn't shy away from… More
Michael Sheen reprises his role as Tony Blair from The Queen. This time we have more insight to Blair as presented through his relationship will US President Bill Clinton. Dennis Quaid is believable as Clinton, but Hope Davis shines as Hillary. Doesn't shy away from controversy and paints an even picture of Blair as an idealist, but ultimately a politician through and through.