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The Special Relationship
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Insightful political docudrama touches mature subjects.
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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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What's the Story?
THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP explores the unique bond between President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair during Clinton's tenure in the White House. When Blair (Michael Sheen) runs for prime minister in 1992, he meets with Clinton (Dennis Quaid) and his staff for advice on getting elected. Over the years the two powerful world leaders look to each other for guidance and support during events like the peace negotiations in Northern Ireland and the criminal investigation of Clinton's extramarital behaviors. While efforts to ensure their political survival leads to some politically turbulent moments, the two manage to maintain their powerful alliance. The drama also offers some insight into the behind the scenes impact British advisors like Alastair Campbell (Mark Bazeley) and Jonathan Powell (Adam Godley) had on the prime minister, and the different expectations their respective countries had for their first ladies (played by Hope Davis and Helen McCrory).
Is It Any Good?
Most kids probably won't be interested thanks to the talky nature of it, but fans of good docudramas and political buffs will definitely find it worth watching. This TV movie offers a dramatic interpretation of the way the British prime minister negotiated his relationship with President Clinton to strengthen his domestic and international political standing. It also highlights some of the major problems this sometimes-controversial relationship created, and offers some explanation for the loyal political alliance the two charismatic leaders enjoyed during the 1990s. While one may question the accuracy of some of the more intimate scenes featured here, the movie clearly relies on enough factual information and archived news footage to create a strong sense of reality throughout.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about politics. Political leaders often create alliances with people they do not like personally, but who can be helpful politically. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these kinds of relationships? Does this kind of alliance-building happen in other scenarios, like school or work?
The relationship between President Clinton and Prime Minister Blair has been recorded in history as both powerful and loyal. Can you think of any other world leaders who have also shared this kind of alliance over the years? What has history taught us about the significance of these alliances?
Are Clinton and Blair role models? How do you balance their good work with their personal failings? Is there an expectation that political leaders will be flawless, or always flawed?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: November 30, 2010
- Cast: Dennis Quaid , Mark Bazeley , Michael Sheen
- Director: Richard Loncraine
- Studio: HBO Home Video
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 93 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
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