Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

Stephanie There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Gary The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

Billy Ollie Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Kirpianuscus one of films who easy could be criticized. but it remains beautiful and powerful and seductive. first - for the slice of British - American relationship. then for the art to remind well known contemporary events in different light. not the least - for the status of credible mixture of politic and human emotions. Martin Sheen is not a surprise as Tony Blair. he becomes a form of shadow of the Prime Minister in small details. at the first sigh, Dennis Quaid is far to be the best choice for Bill Clinton. but this fact becomes important for admire his great job. Hillary Clinton of Hope Davis is almost impressive. it is an useful film more than a good one. because it could be interesting support for understand/discover political life at high level. because it propose a trip in past using right tools. a beautiful film. about friendship. about pragmatic decisions. and picture of contemporary world.

Danny Blankenship This HBO original movie "The Special Relationship" is a well done drama that follows the inner workings and relationships between the U.S. and the United Kingdom. It mainly focuses on the friendship made between Bill Clinton and Tony Blair and it continues with the election of George W. Bush. Most compelling is seeing how Clinton and Blair try to match political styles. And the film show the struggles of Clinton especially his sex scandal with Monica. Plus Hillary is rightfully portrayed as ego driven and power hungry. The performances were dead on Sheen was brilliant as Blair and Dennis Quaid nailed Bill's southern draw just perfect. And Hope Davis was just fine as Hillary.What can I say it's good to have an international friend and this movie showed how two prime leaders can get along and help make decisions. "The Special Relationship" is one good film to enjoy and feel comfortable with.

George Wright This movie gives an entertaining and intriguing glimpse at two recent leaders of Britain and America, Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, and how they connected on a personal and political level. We have heard a great deal about the Bush-Blair relationship but the Clinton-Blair connection has not been the same grist for the mill. They are kindred spirits in politics but their personal styles are another matter. So the clashes seem inevitable as Clinton comes across as an insightful but boorish President to Blair's calculating idealism.Dennis Quaid as Bill Clinton gives a superb performance as the ex-President, while Michael Sheen is the eager-to-learn protégé, Tony Blair. One forgets that it is Quaid and not Clinton on the screen; the portrayal is that close to the mark. The intense Blair is more difficult to pin down but Michael Sheen has played Blair before and again gives a competent performance. Helen McCrory as Cherie Blair and Hope Davis as Hillary Clinton fit their supporting characters as well, particularly Hope Davis as the former First Lady. Davis conveys the steely determination of the ambitious Rodham-Clinton. McCrory is the anti-establishment spouse who is more attuned to taking pot shots from the sidelines.All in all, an interesting take on the two leaders and their spouses as they wade through domestic and international crises, ranging from Kosovo and Northern Ireland to the Lewinsky affair. This is a movie that I would readily watch again. It deals in a compelling way with two very fascinating men whose stories are still fresh in the public mind but whose legacies are still undecided.

Troy_Campbell British actor Michael Sheen portrays real-life figures with an eerie degree of precision. In 2008 he took on the tricky part of down-and-out journo David Frost in Frost/Nixon and absolutely nailed it. Then last year he delivered a remarkable performance as hubristic English soccer coach Brian Clough in the lesser seen drama The Damned United. Now in his the third time depicting the former U.K. PM (first in telemovie The Deal, then in the Helen Mirren-starring The Queen) he mimics Blair's mannerisms, vocal tones and overall personality so perfectly that Blair himself couldn't play the role as well.As the title would suggest though, this drama follows a relationship, which requires a second party. Step in Dennis Quaid as Bill Clinton. He doesn't convince on the same level as Sheen – Clinton's highly distinguishable accent evades Quaid to begin with – but it's not long before the seasoned actor gets in a groove and solidly embodies the beguiling American. Helen McCrory and Hope Davis don't have any difficulty managing their supporting characters, the former as Cherie Blair and the latter as Hillary Clinton. Davis especially is pitch perfect as the intriguing and somewhat imperious U.S. first lady.Although, predictably, the movie lives and dies by its performances, the screenplay is clever enough to display these people in events that will allow us to connect with them. In the opening act we see how these two world leaders – Clinton the suavely aggressive big brother, Blair the amenable and awestruck little brother – became friends, then we move on to how they dealt with this 'special relationship' during good times and bad. It's a tremendous friendship to witness, how they and their wives react to certain situations, the Lewinsky humiliation of particular note, indicates what we have probably suspected all along: they are, despite their global status and positions of power, human after all.An insightful drama that invites you into the lives of some very fascinating people.4 out of 5 (1 - Rubbish, 2 - Ordinary, 3 - Good, 4 - Excellent, 5 - Classic)