Review of The Special Relationship (2010) by David F — 31 Jul 2010

Michael Sheen is making a damn good living out of other people?s lives. After playing reporter David Frost and famed English coach Brian Clough, he has come full circle and returns as the seemingly affable Prime Minister Tony Blair in ?The Special Relationship?.

With Dennis Quaid as the unmistakable Bill Clinton, Richard Loncraine directs the finer moments of their relationship during their overlapping terms. Choosing Blair as the protagonist of the two, Sheen is seamless and brilliant in his role. Being the third time he?s played Blair, he?s almost undistinguishable from the real man. Quaid?s attempt at Clinton?s accent becomes a bit of a novelty from the get go, but he does a fine job playing a morally-questionable man (who on screen is shown to be just as deceptive as his successor).

Hope Davis is brilliant as the turmoiled Hilary, taking a leading role during the Lewinsky period, with Helen McCrory is exactly as she was in ?The Queen? as Cherie (also written by Peter Morgan). The support cast is also on song (with Jacques Chirac ever the comedian).

The script is tight and creates some interesting moments between the two leaders. In what could?ve been a very dry film (originally made for US TV), the cast and crew have actually made an intriguing behind-the-scenes look at the marriages, friendships and political relationship between the two couples and their countries.

You won?t kick yourself if you miss this on the big screen but it is worth a mid-week peek.