It might grow on me with time, and I shudder whenever the Clintons are the subject of portrayals, but in a nutshell I think this movie was more a Blair movie than a Clinton movie. I may change my mind after watching it again, but in the end I thought the Blairs were more colorfully written, more filled-out characters than the Clintons. I find it hard to believe that Hillary was written rather blandly since no matter what your attitude might be about her, bland is not an adjective you would choose to describe her.
Perhaps this focus on the Blairs is to be expected since the writer, Peter Morgan, has written about them before, and used the same actors, Michael Sheen and Helen McCrory, but the facts of the lives somehow do not calculate that Cherie Blair comes off a more interesting character than our former First Lady who went on to serve in the Senate and is now the most entertaining Secretary of State ever- packing public appearances into her travels, flirting her way around the world in pantsuits of every color.
I have every sympathy for Hope Davis who did her best with a character that was written rather low-key. Perhaps the most dramatic of her scenes was cut. She was glad that it was, and so am I since I have no desire to see a portrayal that is imagined, fictional, on the topic of one of the most hurtful experiences in Hillary Clinton’s life. It is not Davis’s fault that Morgan completely missed one of the most endearing qualities about Hillary Clinton, her sense of humor. None of that is in there. He keeps her deadly serious, maybe a little sarcastic and sharp, must mostly a victim painted narrowly and in beige. Hillary has a lot more steel in her than what Morgan put in this script, and a lot more fun. The way she enjoys being SOS I find it hard to believe that she would not be out for fun visiting London.
As for the former POTUS, I found that character rather humorless and rough around the edges. I thought Dennis Quaid was miscast. It is interesting to me that he decided to take the part because of the writing, according to Lynn Elber’s article. Perhaps the most wrongheaded turn one can take is to try to write about true events between real people when you were not in the room, or worse, when you do not really know the people. Morgan may be familiar with the Blairs, but I think he missed on the Clintons.
I thought the movie was okay. Hillary came off to me as strong,focused, and very protective of bill. In the movie bill came off as loveable,goofy,and caring very much what hillary thought. I liked blair’s wife,they potrayed her as someone who respected hillary for what she went thru and was going thru at that time. Blair came off as bill did but more likable and a little naïve.
I will admit a may have started to get a little teary when bill first told hillary about monica and when he finally told her the truth. I think those parts may have been close to reality in what happened. I loved the part where the clintons were in the limo and bill asked how are we going to do this and hillary said together and then hillary asked how do I look and bill said incrediable and the actress light up. Another good part was when bill asked hillary if he was right and she said yes you did not need me to tell you that and he said yes I did.
On a side note the actress who played hillary was nervous to play hillary,she said she read hillary’s book and had great respect for her. She thought about calling hillary,but she did not think hillary wanted to live that hurtful time over again.
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I agree with Hope Davis on Hillary not living through that again, and I did like Bill’s “incredible.” As I said, it might grow on me in time.
My problem was not with the acting as much as with the writing. If the complexity of character is not written in, it’s hard for an actor to insert.
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I could have never said it better Still. Thank you so much for your wonderful review on the movie.
When Hillary was First Lady she had a different role then that of a Senator. The primary’s is where I found her real character. She became our hero in many ways. We identified with her and then to put it simply, we all came to love and respect this wonderful lady who never ever gave up. She carried on and continued her journey as now our Secretary of State. As for President Bill Clinton he was bigger then life. He made mistakes and a very real bad one while in the White House. But as history will show other generations he will be one the best presidents this country ever known. I could just imagine what it would have been like if HRC had been our President. She shows us everyday how much she loves our country. Her service to all the world is her masterpiece.
Have a nice Memorial Day Madame Secretary and we love you.
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No one can portray Hillary and Bill because they are one of a kind !! how many politicians have been a president and the spouse that got to eighteen votes for president and that was after they stole her delegates and tried to lock her out. look at her when she is with other world leaders ,her smile,laughter and knowledge show through. she has the greatest laugh and it seems other countries appreciate Hillary and her leadership. Hillary and Bill have more going for them than any other leaders and I think thats why so many envious, bigoted people try to down play them if not outright try to make them less than they are.
republicans and some democrats are equal opportunity sexist bigots.
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Her laugh: I think people love to make her laugh, and she is so funny. In the movie, her humor was sort of forced. She has a genius for humor.
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okay 18 million votes.sorry
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I agree still,they should have wrote hillary’s part better,because it seemed hope wanted to do right by hillary and who she is. A funny part was at the end where billl salutes hillary,that was cute. I think the movie showed how much hillary and bill love each other,how protective hillary is over bill,and how bill loves and somewhat may need her approval to feel he is doing good. Bill also came across as sensetive.
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I think the Clinton’s may have been under-developed as characters to avoid playing into the stereotypes that exist of them. Better to have under-written Hillary and lost her more charming aspects than over-write her and be left with something really unflattering. I also give the writer credit for avoiding demonizing her. It’s what everyone expects and many it this country love to see the latest way someone’s made her look like the worst example of a human being. This might be a one in a million moment – mass media showing Hillary Clinton some sympathy.
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My reactions to the film were similar to your own in that I saw the primary focus was on the Blairs and, in particular, on how Tony Blair’s relationship to Bill Clinton influenced his (Tony Blair’s) emergence and growth and a world leader. I appreciate Hope Davis’ portrayal of Hillary. It must have been thoroughly intimidating to portray such a powerful person during some of her most vulnerable moments. I do appreciate the fact that the two scenes where the President revealed, first, the emerging scandal and second, his relationship, that the writers/directors and editors chose not to include more than they did. From what I’ve read in the memoirs of the two people who were actually there, what was portrayed was pretty accurate. I agree also about Quaid’s casting. It just wasn’t a believable performance for me. What I mostly feel after viewing the film is that I am very grateful to both Clintons for the good work – no, the outstanding work – that they continue to do for humanity.
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I just watched it again, and I agree with myself, although I also see discourse’s point about a sympathetic portrayal of Hillary. The Clintons are not really central characters in this.
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Just a thought from a theatre degree-holder. The more charming and nice Hillary is portrayed, the more Bill looks like a cad for cheating on her and humiliating her. The story then becomes about “their special relationship” as opposed to “the special relationship”. Dulling her personality down (from, say, electric blue to beige) makes it a lot easier to keep the Clintons from stealing the show and still enables the writer to add in the little affectionate bits and have them be believable because he hasn’t gone so far as to make her unlovable, just a little plain.
It isn’t easy to take real people who are still doing so much very public work and use their characters in a film without caricaturing them. His Hillary might not be all that she is in reality, but it’s as much as she could be in this film to keep with its intent – the “Tony Show with special guest Bill Clinton” instead of the “Bill and Hill Show with appearances by those two people from England”.
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Yes, well I think that WAS what he meant the story to be. I think the hype over here was that it was a Clinton movie, but it wasn’t.
Yes, he did make her plain and pale. Toward the end, her laugh almost IS a caricature of the real Hillary.
You’re right that it’s hard NOT to caricature real people. I watched this movie immediately after watching “W.” I’m wondering if the Bushes are really that dysfunctional. Gosh, the father-son scenes for that matter the mother-son scenes – so contentious! Tony Blair was in that one, too.
In another life, as an undergrad, I was a theater minor. I actually taught it for awhile and directed plays, but then life took me in other directions.
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Not to insult your girl or anything, but she was plain as First Lady and very conservatively dressed. She has more style now. (Example – that blue dress.)
She’s always been pretty pale.
That laugh never ceases to surprise me. She can deliver a measured, calculated response to everything serious, but if something strikes her as funny, forget it. It’s almost like that laugh is too big for her reserved personality as well as her body. It comes out of the blue. With that as reality, I can imagine how difficult it would be not to take it into SNL territory. (As an aside, my favorite Hillary Gaffaw moment was during an interview for CNN last year in Africa (Kenya?). The cause – John Bolton was mentioned as if he should be taken seriously. 😆 )
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LOL! I remember that John Bolton guffaw! Yes, she has a big laugh, and I love it.
I meant pale metaphorically – as a character. But she is – that’s why the midnight blue looks so pretty on her.
I will agree, she gets better as she ages. I think she was always pretty. I don’t know – maybe Hope did capture her as First Lady. Maybe I was comparing the performance to the way she is now. Since the movie did not include her campaign for the Senate, we did not really see that transition. Now there has been another one – really two. Presidential candidate and SOS.
Hillary laughing? Music to my ears.
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“I meant pale metaphorically – as a character.”
I know. Apparently, my own brand of snark doesn’t always work well in writing.
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Fabulous review, S4H! You always have to remember that this is just a movie, and though I haven’t seen it I am actually appreciative that the Clintons’ parts were under written. I think the best movies and books written about world leaders and celebrities are the ones that are written after they exit the stage, either because they’ve died or because they’ve retired. Since there’s no longer an agenda to push those biographical pieces tend to be more definitive and more accurate. For example, things the public didn’t know about the Kennedies didn’t come to light for a long time after it was obvious that their influence in politics was waning.
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Well, I never know what to expect with docudramas involving the Clintons, and was especially wary because of what was central to their story at that time. It could have been worse. They could have left in the scene Hope Davis felt uncomfortable about. Lord knows there has been enough fiction about them out there.
My conclusion, in light of the fact that this is Morgan’s third script about Blair, is that his mission is to promote Blair like mine is to promote Hillary. So I totally understand his focus.
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I watched it again and the french president is a jackass.
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LOLOLOL!!!! I’m watching it again now! Yes! Insisting on speaking French. Well, vous savez comme the French always thought Britain was theirs.
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For that and when the jackass was laughing at bill. You knew they were all jealous of bill.
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If you say the name Chirac today, most Americans will think it’s a drink. If you say simply “Clinton” anywhere in the world, it’s Hillary. How much do I love that?
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While watching this a 3rd time: Cherie Blair is top-hat! On the plane – the discussion of what constitutes you-know-what.
Then there sat Hillary in that champagne pantsuit looking elegant. Saying nothing.
And the presser was impressive. I may be softening on this movie.
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I hate this part coming up when bill tells the truth. My heart breaks for hillary.
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Mine too! Poor baby! How could he do that to her?
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Ok, I’ve never understood what made the entire nation go faint over the whole Lewinsky thing. Powerful man who’s pushing fifty and with a stressful job has an affair with a girl about half his age right under his prim, successful, middle-aged wife’s nose. The truth comes out. He’s contrite. She’s hurt and humiliated. They stay married because… well, only they know why. Theoretically, the wife has something that the girl doesn’t and sex doesn’t equal love. Sounds like you’re standard midlife crisis to me – human frailty (and forgiveness) in action. Aside from Ken Starr having far too great an interest in Bill Clinton’s sex life, I really don’t see the “scandal” part of the Lewinski scandal. I get the “I did not…” bit and why the impeachment happened. I just don’t get why everyone (with the exception of Hillary) was so blown away by the fact that he cheated on his wife in the first place. 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. is not a temptation-free zone.
I was hesitant to watch this because I was leary of the role the “scandal” would play, but I was pleasantly surprised by what they did. I too am glad they cut the argument scene.
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Ok, I’ve never understood what made the entire nation go faint over the whole Lewinsky thing. Powerful man who’s pushing fifty and with a stressful job has an affair with a girl about half his age right under his prim, successful, middle-aged wife’s nose. The truth comes out. He’s contrite. She’s hurt and humiliated. They stay married because… well, only they know why. Theoretically, the wife has something that the girl doesn’t and sex doesn’t equal love. Sounds like you’re standard midlife crisis to me – human frailty (and forgiveness) in action. Aside from Ken Starr having far too great an interest in Bill Clinton’s sex life, I really don’t see the “scandal” part of the Lewinski scandal. I get the “I did not…” bit and why the impeachment happened. I just don’t get why everyone (with the exception of Hillary) was so blown away by the fact that he cheated on his wife in the first place. 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. is not a temptation-free zone.
I was hesitant to watch this because I was leery of the role the “scandal” would play, but I was pleasantly surprised by what they did. I too am glad they cut the argument scene.
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The media hated the Clintons and anything to laugh at Hillary was a icing on the cake. The other reason was because when Hillary defended Bill before he won and made a refernce about standing by her man. The last reason I think was the president and sex is instant ratings.
The arguement part has differnet versions of what really happened. Bill and Hillary’s version and Dick Morris’ version which all republicans swear by. In Morris’ version Hillary picks up a vase or ashtry and launches at Bill’s head and then punches him in the stomach and makes him sleep in a different bedroom. Then during their vacation makes him sleep on the couch and after that she has been angry with him.
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Dick Morris?! Unless he was there in bed with them, what does he know about what happened. Maybe she did hit him. Maybe stuff was thrown. In his autobiography, Bill does mentioned that he was exiled from their bedroom for a while. I hate how he implies that, because he worked for the Clintons, he obviously knows everything about every aspect of their lives. He’s a fool.
“…the president and sex is instant ratings.” I’m so glad we never heard anything about Dubya.
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Morris has some respect for Bill,but Hillary he will go after her everytime.
They have asked Bill and Hillary about what Morris’ says and they have just laughed and said he was never there and Hillary had every right to be angry. Morris uses another incident that DeDe Myers has repeated as proof that Hillary can be violent. DeDe Myers says when Hillary went to visit her dying father that Streisend visited and something happened between her and Bill. Then when Hillary got back she found out and was angry and attacked Bill and that is why he had a scratch on his face and not becasue he cut himself shaving. Carville and Begela have always called bullshit on that story,but she still repeats it. That was why Bill went off on her husband when he wrote that hit piece on Bill during the primaries,because it was the same thing DeDe has said about the Clintons and the sources for the hit piece were Kerry,Daschle,and Alexrod.
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I wonder if Morris isn’t just a little jealous of Hillary.
If Hillary were so prone to violence, why would Morris and Ms. Myers try so hard to piss her off? That doesn’t seem smart to me.
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She is not,other then those two fools I have never heard anyone say this. Paul always say she was forceful but sweet.
Those two people are not that smart. Morris actually told a hooker about Bill’s political plans and converstations Bill had with other political people while sucking her toes. DeDe’s husband accused Bill of cheating in front of Chelsea and her boyfriend at a wedding.
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Forceful but sweet… I can see that. This is, after all, a person who goes to a hearing on Capitol Hill in a cotton candy-colored ensemble surrounded by gentlemen in gunmetal grey.
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I always figured that Dick Morris really wants Hillary and angry that he can’t have her.
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Didn’t he actually hit on her? I thought he did and she, of course, refused him. He’s so creepy!
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EEEEEEEWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!
😯
When was this? Ugh, he’s so smarmy and opportunistic.
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In the White House. When she refused him he decided the only possible explanation was that she must be a lesbian. You never heard that?
Imagine what a jerk – hitting on the First Lady?
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I’m not bothered by him hitting on the First Lady. If he’s that classless, I doubt he can do much to help himself. I just don’t understand why he would think, given that she hadn’t left her husband by then and, as far as we know, had been faithful despite his wanderings, that she would take a lover then and that she would go for a short, fat, toad-like guy with a foot fetish. Honestly, how arrogant can one man get?
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It is exactly his arrogance that causes him to think everything he says and does is acceptable. And he really has an ax to grind with Hillary. Maybe she did throw a vase – AT HIM!
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Or maybe Bill did. He doesn’t seem like one to get jealous, but there are limits to everyone’s patience for amorous fools trying to get with their spouse.
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That is a scene I wish I could see! He may not be the jealous type, I think he likes it when other men appreciate her, but when you watch his body language with her, he is very proprietary.
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Proprietary, indeed!
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LOL! Yes! I have that picture. LOL! He signed her boobs! She looks like a little kid in that picture!
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Three guesses as to what he had on his mind right then. 😉
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Yes. They treated Hillary gently (if with broad stokes). I just want my girl protected – in history. Now, here, all of this is history.
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Blair’s wife was good. Next couple of parts,tony was acting a little rude to bill after everything bill did for him. He should have not gone to the republicans. That was a low blow.
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Jill! You are an excellent analyst! Thanks for that comment.
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Boris Yeltsin – little cameo of him just tore my heart out.
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Painful watching Gore’s statement. Very, very painful!
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In the last part Bill was a 100% right of the bush/cheney adminstration. Say what you want,but Bill knows politics and politicans. If Tony would have only listened to him.
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Yes, and if only we had had the POTUS that ws actually elected – still cloudy to me.
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The press conference with Bush and Blair was awkard and weird. Blair had a look on his face that Bush was weird and a crazy.
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Was Blair wrong about that?
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Blair was wrong for getting to close to Bush,becasue as Bush went down so did Blair. Blair should have listened to Bill that Bush was nothing but trouble.
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I meant was he wrong about Dubya being a few fries short of a value meal. You’re right, Blair should’ve listened to Bill.
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Bush was short not just the fries,but the chesseburger and coke. All that he had was ther prize that falls apart as soon as your kids get it home.
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Blair was probably astounded by Bush – after Bill – er… Billary.
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Yes, I agree. He must have wondered where all the rationality had gone… and the speaking using complete sentences… and the proper pronunciation of word nuclear.
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Hillary fixed The Special Relationship with David Miliband (charmingly) and now with FM Hague who came like a comet to DC to see her as soon as he was appointed. Who knew then that she’d be SOS? And SO GOOD at it? Great work, Mme. Secretary!!!
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Yes she did and she did a wonderful job. I wonder if her and blair’s wife still talk? Blair’s wife was at Bill’s foundation I think last week,so hopefully they still do.
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I’d bet yes! I think these relationships – special and otherwise – are still intact.
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We did the right thing in Kosovo, The right thing.
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I’ve wanted to watch this movie but don’t have the HBO channels. I’ve been debating whether to buy it or not. Do you think it’s worth owning it?
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It’s much more a Blair-centered than a Clinton-centered movie. It would probably be better to rent it than to buy it – if you can.
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Ok sounds good. Thanks for the advice.
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You’re welcome! 😀
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