Primary Colors

Watch: Primary Colors

3/20/19982h 23m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ What went down on the way to the top. ~

Overview:

In this adaptation of the best-selling roman à clef about Bill Clinton's 1992 run for the White House, the young and gifted Henry Burton is tapped to oversee the presidential campaign of Governor Jack Stanton. Burton is pulled into the politician's colorful world and looks on as Stanton -- who has a wandering eye that could be his downfall -- contends with his ambitious wife, Susan, and an outspoken adviser, Richard Jemmons.

Director:

Mike Nichols

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$65,000,000.00

Revenue:

$52,090,187.00

Key words:

usa president
the white house
presidential election
new hampshire
scandal
extramarital affair
presidential candidate

Cast

John Travolta

~ as ~

Jack Stanton

Emma Thompson

~ as ~

Susan Stanton

Billy Bob Thornton

~ as ~

Richard Jemmons

Adrian Lester

~ as ~

Henry Burton

Maura Tierney

~ as ~

Daisy Green

Paul Guilfoyle

~ as ~

Howard Ferguson

Larry Hagman

~ as ~

Gov. Fred Picker

Kathy Bates

~ as ~

Libby Holden

Diane Ladd

~ as ~

Mamma Stanton

Rebecca Walker

~ as ~

March

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

CinemaSerf
Written 1 year(s) ago
6
There is something quite worrying about this depiction of an American Presidential nomination campaign - it is plausible... John Travolta ("Jack Stanton") positively oozes charisma - in all it's guises - as he schmoozes, charms, cheats and lies his way through a campaign that simultaneously sees him pat babies on their heads whilst stealing their lollipops... Adrian Lester is the enthusiastic, but naive, campaign manager who together with a feisty Kathy Bates is charged with getting their man into the final race with Emma Thompson as the supportive wife who has to tolerate all that the campaign - and her husband's obvious peccadillos - throw at them. The delivery is fast-paced, witty and authentic; the performances - especially the loyal but principled Bates - really reinforce the ultimate message that Joe Klein's story is trying to convey; and Mike Nicholls manages to keep the whole thing from becoming too overtly Clinton-esque! Adrian Lester is a little out of his depth, though, Emma Thompson isn't on her best form either and though it is nice to see old "J.R" on the screen again, Larry Hagman as a senator in the right place at the right time but with more skeletons in his closet than Roger Corman, doesn't really cut it either. It's also far too long, and struggles when Travolta is away from the action... Certainly entertaining, though...