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The Deal (2003) Certificate 12

The Deal

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Rated 4.0 stars
Average rating
(77%)
 
Starring: Paul Rhys | David Morrissey | Michael Sheen | Elizabeth Berrington | Frank Kelly | Dexter Fletcher
Director: Stephen Frears
Studio: 4DVD
Run time: 75 mins
Genres: Drama
Languages: English
Released: May 19, 2008

From the writer/director team behind 2006's Oscar favourite THE QUEEN, this made-for-TV political drama almost serves as its prequel. Based partly on James Naughtie's book THE RIVALS: THE INTIMATE STORY OF A POLITICAL MARRIAGE, THE DEAL chronicles the early career of Tony Blair, when, as a Member of Parliament, he supposedly struck a deal with colleague Gordon Brown to obtain leadership of the Labour party, agreeing to step down as Prime Minister so Brown could take his place. Michael Sheen displays an uncanny knack for understated mimicry in his portrayal of Blair--a role he would later reprise in THE QUEEN--while David Morrissey (STATE OF PLAY) is equally adept as Brown. The drama has been rather sensationally described as 'a love story between Blair and Brown', a reference to the film's depiction of a once close friendship descending into a tense, sometimes fractious working relationship. With epic Shakespearean themes of power struggle and betrayal, THE DEAL succeeds in putting a human face on a very private episode of British political history.

Highest rated reviews

1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 4.0 stars
Excellent performances

A Customer from Lancaster, 5th August, 2008

This is a brilliant drama with yet another fantastic performance from Michael Sheen, one of Britain's best actors. It's particularly interesting given current events with Gordon Brown struggling as Prime Minister. This shows him to be a passionate and intelligent man but not very personable and lacking the easy charm which Tony Blair had. Here's hoping for a third Blair film (The Queen with Helen Mirren was the sequel to this). Can I suggest it be about Tony Blair reflecting on his last days in office about the decisons that led to the Iraq war, his relationship with George W Bush and his desperate attempts to control his place in history?

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Rated 2.0 stars
The Blair and Brown show

scripty from , 28th September, 2009

Nice to see how its thought or believed Tony and Gordon set things up to get it together. More a tv movie though interesting to see how well the production team have put a simple story together and made a dramatic victory out of Election failure. Well filmed and great sets/locations of authenticity. Good follow up is the Queen and Special Relationship.

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Rated 4.0 stars
Good Deal

Peace from , 12th April, 2009

Excellent casting and acting. Told the story without too much padding. Powerful portrayals of main protagonists. Entirely believable.

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Rated 5.0 stars
Fantastic

Jonno0 from from Fife, 2nd April, 2009

I got this film after watching The Queen, which is a kind of unofficial sequel to this. This is the story of Gordon Brown and Tony Blair's alleged agreement for Blair to take over the leadership of the Labour Party - He doesn;t come out of this very well!!! Excellent performances by David Morrissey as Brown and the incredible Michael Sheen as Blair. The first time Blair/Sheen is on screen will send a shiver down your spine, the likeness is simply uncanny!

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