MovieChat Forums > The Special Relationship (2010) Discussion > Tony Blair - likable by the end?

Tony Blair - likable by the end?

posted 13 years ago by bluetulip18
2 replies | jump to latest

Throughout much of the film, I really rooted for Tony Blair as this underdog political newbie who actually had some genuine desire to 'do the right thing.' But by the end I saw him as just another politician, willing to make friends with anyone who would bolster his own legacy. Guess that's to be expected, but for a movie, I kind of wanted to feel more for the growth of the character.

To me, the central question was whether Tony would become his 'own man,' out of the shadows of those who came before him. But it wasn't clear whether that ever happened: While he had graduated from Bill, he'd also become just like the others more than ever.

Maybe that's the point...that you can't be your 'own man' in politics. If so, what a shame...he was actually a likable character at first.

Thoughts?

[–] Chapaev36 12 years ago

The film was unfocused. I think the way in which you saw the Blair character depends on the way you interpret history.

For me, I couldn't get Iraq out of my mind and see Kosovo as a foreshadowing of that. Blair's christian narrative, black-and-white thinking and desire to get cozy with the Americans as a way of defining his legacy points to a dangerous man.

I might need to see the film again, but that seemed to me as the subtle point. The opening sequence and later Clinton's own line that Blair was not the center-left progressive he thought he was. What was implied there is Blair's emerging neo-conservative side, particularly the militarism.

I'm surprised some people came away from seeing this with a positive impression of Blair. Maybe because he's not overtly villanous (just narrow-minded and fiercely ambitious; an explosive combo).

[–] Jes' Sayin' (5990) 3 years ago

A film that presents the facts and leaves you to make up your own mind is probably successful.