disgusting, overrated, pointless

it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Stephen Frears has done some excellent movies documenting recent British social and political history. In this particular movie, he gives us the background to Tony Blair's ascendancy to the leadership of the British Labour Party. After getting a seat in Parliament in 1983, Tony Blair, performed by Michael Sheen, was very much a junior to the formidable Scot named Gordon Brown, a longtime member of the party, played by David Morrissey. We see Blair looking for office space after his election and sharing a room with Brown as the two become friends during the Thatcher era. Brown is an intellectual with a thick Scottish accent and brooding manner. He does his homework and gives a rousing first speech. Tony Blair takes himself and his work much less seriously and seems very much a lightweight but his easy manner and likability pay dividends down the road. I enjoyed David Morrissey in the Gordon Brown role and got an appreciation for the difficult spot he found himself in when he eventually succeeded Blair as leader in 2007. Michael Sheen is a competent actor, playing Blair in The Queen and The Special Relationship and also David Frost when he faced Richard Nixon in a series of interviews. The movie is also interwoven with actual film clips from the era of Thatcher, and Labour Leaders Neil Kinnock and Michael Foote. We see how Brown, for all his apparent ambition, seems to hold back when opportunity knocks while the less goal driven Tony Blair eventually sails toward the leadership by force of personality and good luck. This movie was made before Tony Blair stepped down as prime minister and we know Gordon Brown was defeated in 2010 without ever winning an election on his own. Life can be unfair but Tony Blair did in his final years, face difficult times and left office discredited by the war in Iraq. His personal popularity has never recovered. Two great politicians are contrasted here and the movie sheds great light on their personal friendship and rivalry.

It's 1994. Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) does a deal with Gordon Brown (David Morrissey) for the leadership of the Labour Party. Twelve years earlier, both Blair and Brown are new members after a Conservative landslide forced to share an office. The bombastic Brown rises quickly in the opposition ranks. The more personable Blair is slower but is Brown's confidant and close political ally. After a close but heartbreaking election in '92, Blair pushes Brown to run for the leadership but is rebuffed. Blair becomes more ambitious. Brown makes enemies in the party while Blair makes gains in popularity.It's a fine docudrama about a couple of fascinating personalities. Both Sheen and Morrissey are well cast and great actors. It hits on the main points of history but it doesn't give the history life. Director Stephen Frears needs more personal moments between the two leads. The most compelling scenes are when Blair badgers Brown about his personal life and later when they start competing. This is a fine history. I wish Frears could dig deeper into the personalities and allow this to be even more Shakespearian.

The film The Deal elaborates on the relationship of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown during the first years of their political careers. Both men are extremely ambitious, and strive for the party leadership. However their efforts are strikingly different, because of their opposite characters. Blair is eager, always willing to try his luck, and if necessary to subject and serve under a stronger leader. On the psychological level Blair is the extrovert politician, with the ability to show empathy, thus fostering excellent external contacts. He has a disliking for party principles, that might isolate him from society. Brown openly vents his ambitions, and refuses to do tasks, that are below his standards. He is the introvert person, that values the party principles and defends them with ardor and sometimes coarseness (the Labour Party is an association of workmen). Evidently the film The Deal is above all things a character study, and the political background is of only secondary relevance. The story could equally well have portrayed two men, competing for the position of head of the sales department. The political setting is highlighted mainly by the inclusion of footage from live television recordings. For instance we witness a congress of the Labour Party in the eighties, where the crowd sings their hymn The Red Flag. In the mutual relationship Brown makes clear to Blair, that he (Brown) is the primary candidate for the position of party leader. Blair accepts with a mocking overtone. In the mean time party leader Neil Kinnock is defeated by Thatcher, and is replaced by John Smith. When Smith suffers a deadly heart attack, the competition between Brown and Blair reaches its climax. Blair publicly announces his availability as successor, and Brown reacts furiously. He raves: "We had an understanding!" However, it seems that Blair has the better testimonials. His extrovert attitude makes him attractive to the so-called floating voters, who are as yet irresolute. This brings him the support of many party officials, perhaps the majority. Brown has the backing of the traditional Labour strongholds, and a stalemate is forthcoming. Borwn had hoped that the party would prefer him as a matter of course, and apparently fears the confrontation with Blair. Some party officials reproach Brown, that he had never challenged the leadership of Smith. His qualities are called in question. Eventually it is Blair, who reaches out to Brown, and offers him a strong position in a cabinet under his leadership. In addition a vague agreement is made, that Brown will be Blairs successor - rather strange, since both men are of the same age. It reflects the consideration of a senior party official: "What Brown needs, is hope". Surprisingly, Brown accepts, although the job is below his own standard. The film ends here. In 1997 the Labour Party under Blair won the elections, and remained in power until 2009. The Labour Party was reformed, and shifted to the right wing of the social-democracy. Later Blair succumbed to the wishes of Bush with regard to the invasion of Iraq, which made his position within the party untenable. However, even then Brown was unable to topple him. I think that The Deal gives an excellent portrayal of the personal drama, that is attached especially to political careers. In politics a failed candidate can not apply with a competitor, like in business: it is now or never. If you appreciate this type of films, you may consider seeing my reviews of Im Schatten der Macht (Willy Brandt), Jean Jaures, Therese et Leon (Leon Blum), Changer la vie! (Francois Mitterrand), Nynke (Piter Jelles Troelstra) or Den Uyl en de affaire Lockheed (Joop den Uyl). Warning: English subtitles are the odd exception, sorry.

The beauty of 'The Deal' is clearly the story, and for many a surprising and unknown real story. Peter Morgan does what he does best again by keeping the screenplay no nonsense and captures the delicacies of the time brilliantly. While many who may have in depth knowledge of the matter could have differing opinions on its deviations from reality, the movie is a very fine quality drama from a team which has given gems like Queen and Frost/Nixon.Michael sheen is fantastic again and David Morrissey is more impressive than sheen. A story very admirably directed and acted, this story captures politics and drama behind a real story joyfully - a match made in heaven!