The Special Relationship was just released on DVD. It’s the last part of a trilogy of political films starring Michael Sheen as Tony Blair (the others were The Deal and The Queen), and this one centers on the relationship between Blair and Bill Clinton. I wish I could say it’s a worthy, Shakespearean end to a fine set of films, but it isn’t*. It’s still well worth watching—Sheen, as usual, is brilliant, and the film’s closing scene is hilarious and affecting—but it’s laid low by way too much clunky expository dialogue and, especially, Dennis Quaid’s performance as Bill Clinton.
It’s frustrating, because Quaid gets it half-right: You believe that his Bill Clinton is the smartest guy in the room. You believe he has almost superhuman endurance. But he’s just not sexual enough. The best cinematic Bill Clinton still is John Travolta in Primary Colors. Like Quaid, Travolta captured the brilliance, but he also nailed how with Clinton, even a long discussion about facts and figures can be a game of seduction. Quaid glowers as Clinton, but he missed that, even when Clinton is in his red-faced scolding mode, he’s still got a certain sexual swagger that can’t be denied.
However, Hope Davis is exceptional as Hillary Clinton in this film. It’s a bit of casting that I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around at first, but she gets it all: The aristocratic air, the braying laugh, the sharp intellect. I’d love to see Davis reprise the role, with Clinton at center-stage this time. Hell, I’d love for The Special Relationship to be the first film in a trilogy about Hillary Clinton. Now that Sheen’s done with Blair, it’d be nice to have some smart political films to look forward to.
* I know that Tony Blair is hardly Shakespearean, but he is fascinating, dammit.
Meh. I’m still waiting.
Travolta and Davis are close, but not quite there.
don’t you think that it’s too early for a trilogy to be made about hillary? i feel like her story isn’t over enough yet. or maybe i’m just crazy and secretary of state is her last gig
good point, Cook.
Is it just me, or is The Special Relationship a really shitty title for this project?
i totally agree about Bill Clinton sparkly sexual swagger … Quaid lacks that sparkle, and somehow despite the many times he has played sexy, he just doesn’t seem to have that here. John Travolta totally has it in “Primary Colors” but then again he just sort of has it and maybe that’s the difference. I mean Travolta was sexy in that stupid movie “Michael” where he played an angel
My recommended casting for Bill Clinton: David Morse. He has the acting chops, the voice, the gravitas, and (with a good wig) the look of the Man from Hope.
http://www.lahiguera.net/cinemania/actor…
Have you ever actually met Bill Clinton, or seen him in person?
I agree with the David Morse casting. I am right now watching the Langoliers, for the 10th time and I see, “Bill Clinton”. The face, the voice, the build, everything. I have seen side to side pictures and it would be PERFECT casting. Do not see why it has not been done. Quaid was all wrong. Morse sounds so much like Bill Clinton, even walks like him. Ever since I thought of this, a few years ago, every time I see this actor that is all I can think of and lots of other people agree.