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John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Adrian Lester ... see more see more... , Maura Tierney , Larry Hagman , Diane Ladd , Paul Guilfoyle , Rebecca Walker , Caroline Aaron , Tommy Hollis , Rob Reiner , Ben Jones , J.C. Quinn , Allison Janney , Robert Klein , Mykelti Williamson , Tony Shalhoub , Brian Markinson , Ned Eisenberg , O'Neal Compton , Chelcie Ross , Bonnie Bartlett , John Vargas , Stacy Edwards , Gia Carides , John Milford , Robert Symonds , Harrison Young , Sally Insul

Mike Nichols directed this Elaine May screenplay adapted from the 1996 bestseller by "Anonymous" (Joe Klein), who fictionalized Bill Clinton's first presidential campaign. In the New Hampshire primary... read more read more..., Governor Jack Stanton (John Travolta) convinces Henry Burton (Adrian Lester), grandson of a respected civil rights pioneer, to become his deputy campaign manager. Stanton's smart wife Susan (Emma Thompson) always comes through with public support for her philandering husband. The film's parallel for James Carville is Stanton's redneck advisor Richard Jemmons (Billy Bob Thornton), who knows every strategy and tactic but worries, "The woman thing, that's the killer." Sure enough, problems during the New Hampshire primary include charges of adultery. To get a handle on past peccadillos, Stanton's staff brings in an old family friend, lesbian Libby Holden (Kathy Bates), who knows how to clean up dirt. Stanton, a strong debater, moves on to Florida and New York. When one opposing candidate drops dead of a heart attack, he's replaced by Florida's Governor Fred Picker (Larry Hagman), but Holden holds the skeleton key to the skeleton in Picker's closet. Just how the Stantons put this information to use reveals whether they are ruthless politicians or inspirational leaders with ideals. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Flixster Users

56% liked it

19,080 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

75 critics

R, 2 hr. 23 min.

Directed by: Mike Nichols

Release Date: March 20, 1998

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DVD Release Date: September 8, 1998

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Stats: 628 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (628)

  • garyX
    February 1, 2011
    garyX
    Primary Colours is a political satire following a southern governor who bears a striking resemblance to Bill Clinton on his presidential campaign trail. This film was obviously aimed far more at mainstream audiences than I was hoping for and so seems very tame to anyone used to t... read morehe likes of The Thick Of It or even 70s sitcom Yes Minister. The story is shown through the eyes of the idealistic grandson of a civil rights activist played by Adrian Lester, but as we don't get to learn much about him, there is little in the way of emotional involvement; in fact the whole "human drama" aspect of it felt very forced. Travolta's drawling womaniser is shown to be basically an honest and straight talking man with one flaw, and this lack of satirical bite also compromises his character. What does make this film however are the supporting characters; partly Billy Bob Thornton's red neck adviser but mainly Kathy Bates who tears through the film like a large lesbian version of hurricane Katrina. She has the best character and most of the best lines as a disillusioned ex-activist but once again the outcome of her part in the story felt a bit contrived and hollow. It does have wit, intelligence and a message, namely that this era of spin is a Frankenstain's monster that the complicity of a gossip-hungry public and sensationalist media have helped create, and it is always engaging; I just wished it had the cynical, satirical teeth to go in for the kill.
  • fb619846742
    January 10, 2010
    fb619846742
    A well done, if though occasionally flawed, political comedy/drama that features two golden performances from John Travolta and Kathy Bates. While it does get over-dramatic at some parts and some of the characters could've been fleshed out a tad better, for the most part this is ... read morea well executed take on politics and how the people involved in them are never what they seem to be. I wish they had left the ending open-ended and daring the viewer to make their own choice as to what they would do in the situation posed in the film's conclusion, but I understand Nichols instead going with the more accepting finale.
  • matertenebraum
    December 21, 2008
    matertenebraum
    #4 Primary Colours
    Okay, technically, Travolta doesn?t play a president in Primary Colours, he plays a presidential candidate. But it can be argued that Travolta?s character - a womanizing, intelligent Southern governor - is based upon the pre-presidential days of one William Jef... read moreferson Clinton (Bill to us).
    President Speak: "We can do incredible things. We can change this country. I'm gonna win this thing. Look me in the eye, Henry, and tell me that you don't want to be a part of it."
  • djdemersseman
    March 28, 2008
    djdemersseman
    Definitely an important movie. A bit subversive at parts, but easily the best presidential election movie I've seen. A bit too silly in many parts, but it also manages to be pretty intense near the end. The movie asks a lot of serious questions about politics and yourself.
  • jjnxn
    April 1, 2007
    jjnxn
    Emma Thompson & Kathy Bates stand out but everyone is good. Could have stood trim here and there.
  • SarahG1988
    August 30, 2006
    SarahG1988
    John Travolta is the spitting image of Bill Clinton in this.
  • fb20312798
    February 19, 2010
    fb20312798
    The film almost lost me in its final moments. What starts as a indictment of the political process ends on what to me is a falsely hopeful note. However the other 3/4 of the film is pretty amazing and is full of great comedic performances that never loose the right touch of realism.
  • SunilJawahir
    October 25, 2008
    SunilJawahir
    Pretty well-written political thriller.
  • broadwaymo
    May 21, 2007
    broadwaymo
    John Travolta as Bill Clinton... Might have thought it was funny if I hadn't suffered through a long 8 years of that scumbag's administration...
  • JennabGreat
    February 18, 2011
    JennabGreat
    A very smart and witty political film. I'm usually not a Travolta fan, but he was really good here. Not to mention Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton and Kathy Bates. I fell in love with it.

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Critic Reviews

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

A smart and savvy piece of work. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
February 14, 2001
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Travolta's warmth and expansiveness effectively amplify and embellish the likable and personable side of Stanton. Full Review

Stanley Kauffmann
January 1, 2000
Stanley Kauffmann, New Republic

Sheerly as film, Primary Colors generally sizzles.

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Dramatically weak. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The movie loses something by downplaying the book's arresting contrast between Stanton's smooth dishonesty and Picker's raw sincerity. Full Review

Joe Baltake
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Primary Colors doesn't even attempt an answer. It's content just going along for the ride. It's too busy having fun. Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

The film seldom displays much in the way of directorial hallmarks. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The movie is endlessly inventive and involving. Full Review

Charles Taylor
January 1, 2000
Charles Taylor, Salon.com

A slack, tepid picture stuck in a no man's land between satire and drama. Full Review

Susan Stark
January 1, 2000
Susan Stark, Detroit News

The movie itself makes no judgment. It's smart enough to ask you to do that by yourself and for yourself. Full Review

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Primary Colors Trivia

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