The Special Relationship (2010)

About The Special Relationship

"The Special Relationship" is a 2010 political drama that charts the unique and often turbulent political relationship between newly-instated British prime minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) and U.S. president Bill Clinton (Dennis Quaid) in the late 1990s. The story revolves around the progression of their friendship, the political tensions that test their bond, and the inevitable political fallouts they face together.

Making / Production

The film is directed by Richard Loncraine and written by Peter Morgan. "The Special Relationship" was the third in Morgan's informal "Blair trilogy", which dramatized the life of Tony Blair and his relationships with prominent figures, following "The Deal" (2003) and "The Queen" (2006). The film was produced by Rainmark Films and HBO Films and premiered on HBO in the U.S. on 29 May 2010.

Actors

• Michael Sheen as Tony Blair. Sheen reprised his role from the previous two films, continuing to convincingly portray Blair's shifting political convictions and personal dilemmas.
• Dennis Quaid as Bill Clinton. Quaid captured the charisma and humanity of the U.S. president, highlighting Clinton's political savvy and personal difficulties.
• Helen McCrory as Cherie Blair. McCrory returned from "The Queen" to play Blair's supportive and resilient wife.
• Hope Davis as Hillary Clinton. Davis portrayed the then-First Lady with dignity and strength, becoming an integral part of the narrative.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film is considered a dramatized version of actual events, some of which have never been publicly confirmed.
• The term "special relationship" has been used to describe the close political, diplomatic, cultural, economic, military, and historical relations between the United Kingdom and the United States.
• This was the last film of the "Blair trilogy" in which Michael Sheen played Tony Blair.

Awards

"The Special Relationship" received multiple nominations, including an Emmy for Outstanding Made for Television Movie and Outstanding Lead Actor for Michael Sheen and Dennis Quaid. It also received a nomination for Helen McCrory at the BAFTA TV awards.

Quotes

• "Politics is about conviction. It's about belief." - Tony Blair (Michael Sheen)
• "When the President does it that means that it is not illegal." - Bill Clinton (Dennis Quaid)

Music, Soundtrack

• The score was composed by Alexandre Desplat, who created a thrilling soundtrack that effectively underscored the political tension and personal drama of the film.