The Clinton Affair

:

Season 1
  • Network: A&E
  • Series Premiere Date: Nov 18, 2018
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Buy on
Stream On
Stream On

Critic Reviews

  1. CNN
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Dec 7, 2018
    80
    The Clintons aren't interviewed, but enough friends, lawyers and confidants are to provide a glimpse of their view from inside the fishbowl. And even when it doesn't say so, The Clinton Affair effectively conveys that what transpired 20 years ago isn't mere history; rather, the ripples are still being very much felt today.
  2. Salon
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    Nov 19, 2018
    80
    Beyond the emotional resonance of The Clinton Affair, director Blair Foster does an excellent job in structuring the history of and leading up to the impeachment proceedings that occurred 20 years ago while also emphasizing the emotional toll they took on everyone involved.
  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Daniel D'Addario
    Nov 19, 2018
    70
    Director Blair Foster marshals a vast quantity of facts and of footage (from contemporaneous news reports to present-day interviews), but this story, too, might have been pruned back. Perhaps the element of the documentary that works best is the inclusion of Lewinsky and Clinton harassment accuser Paula Jones on-camera.
  5. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Robyn Bahr
    Nov 19, 2018
    50
    Interviews with journalists, Washington insiders and political wonks fill in the rest, but the middle episodes hone so far into Lewinsky's experience and Linda Tripp's machinations that the documentary starts to feel as riveting as reconciling an expense report.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 2 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. AntonX2
    Nov 22, 2018
    8
    My primary criteria for historical documentaries is simple -- does it give new information or does it present known information in a newMy primary criteria for historical documentaries is simple -- does it give new information or does it present known information in a new light? This series does both, and well.

    It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since this happened, and chances are your gut reaction to the scandal was dictated by your politics. I know mine was. Put that aside for these six episodes, and you'll quickly find no heroes or monsters here, but a complex, messy, trite yet consequential episode in American history as complicated as the people who lived in it.

    And the Kavanaugh beacon dropped near the end of the series provides a queasy, contemporary coda that is hard to shake. Overall, the series breaks no new ground but that's not a bad thing.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »