[Morgan's] formula, which juxtaposes larger-than-life real people at key moments in their careers, strains a little under the weight of the Clinton presidency and its baggage. Yet it's always interesting to catch a glimpse of America as others see us.

| Sep 9, 2020

The core of the movie is very strong. The piece is built around three performances that somehow grow from being mere impersonations and become something real and moving.

| Sep 9, 2020

It's a pat view of history, of course... [But] The Special Relationship works well enough despite having been reduced and shaped. It's a miniature portrait of how political bonds can be created, and tested, and broken.

| Sep 9, 2020

If you don't care about credibility, The Special Relationship is entertaining, thanks in large part to the performances.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 9, 2020

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.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 9, 2020

The film provides a captivating peek into the meshing of personality and power and how easily even the strongest bonds come unglued.

| Sep 9, 2020

With its well-chosen cast and high production values, "Relationship" is an especially thoughtful, revealing and honest account of power and politics.

| Sep 9, 2020

The Special Relationship is a smart, well-researched depiction of relations between Tony Blair and Bill Clinton. There's just not much of a story to tell.

| Original Score: C | Sep 9, 2020

Although it succeeds in illustrating how personal relationships between heads of state can inform international policy, it never quite captures the actual relationship of the title.

| Sep 9, 2020

The Special Relationship does indeed focus on a friendship between two (admittedly powerful) dudes, but this is more than a mere episode of Entourage. For one thing, stuff happens.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Oct 21, 2010

Even though it's nicely shot and packed with riveting private moments, the plot lurches from crisis to negotiation without much grace. Still, it's fascinating to see memorable public scenes counterbalanced by bedroom discussions.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Sep 23, 2010

[The] glimpse of the real Blair was far more interesting than the clichéd version we saw throughout the film.

| Original Score: B- | Aug 16, 2010

A dramatically flat exploration of the friendship between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President Bill Clinton, as they navigate the personal and national challenges of high office.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 7, 2010

The most unintentionally homoerotic film of the year. Eventually you start willing them to make out. Solid script. Slightly unconvincing Clinton performance from Quaid.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Aug 6, 2010

As before, Michael Sheen is able to project a kind of toothy sincerity reminiscent of Tony Blair in the early stages of his political incumbency. There's a sweetness there, and at times, almost a naivity.

| Aug 6, 2010

The relationship between Blair and Clinton never seems capable, dramatically speaking, of bearing the weight the film assigns to it.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 6, 2010

The film is immensely entertaining, whether fair or not. Sheen is brilliant, as we have come to expect, but Quaid's Clinton is perhaps the greater surprise because he gets well beyond the charm.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 6, 2010

The Special Relationship marks a worthy addition to Morgan's ever-expanding body of work as a modern historian of the big screen.

| Aug 6, 2010

Still, for all its flaws there's a compelling energy in The Special Relationship.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 5, 2010

Lovers of political drama will be transfixed as these two immensely ambitious and powerful men make decisions that will change the world.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 4, 2010