Primary Colors

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Primary Colors

R

1998

2h 23m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

79 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

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 (Adrian Lester) is tapped to oversee the presidential campaign of Gov. Jack Stanton (John Travolta). 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, (Emma Thompson) and an outspoken adviser, Richard Jemmons (Billy Bob Thornton).

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Critics Consensus

Well acted and suprisingly funny.

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Hillel Italie

Associated Press

08/08/2019

Primary Colors, Nichols' second feature with screenwriter and former stand-up comedy partner Elaine May, is mainstream filmmaking at its most accomplished.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

03/21/2019

The performances are splendid, beginning with Travolta's magnificent turn as the big-hearted but hardballing man with 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. on his horizon.

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Mike Clark

USA Today

01/09/2018

4/4

Primary Colors perfectly captures the spirit of its topic and time to become The Big Chill of politics.

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Matthew Rozsa

Democracy at Work (Substack)

Jun 11

4/4

A terrible missed opportunity occurred 27 years ago. When “Primary Colors” was released in March 1998, critics and audiences alike focused on the movie’s sexual content rather than its substantive views on tariff policy.

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James Croot

The Post NZ

08/04/2023

2.5/5

By playing the political satire straight, Newell and screenwriter Elaine May drained Primary Colors of all its potential vibrancy, leaving only a bland dramedy in its place.

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

02/06/2023

3.5/4

The film makes a good pseudo-documentary and presents several ideas that should be considered when looking at the presidency of the man everyone feels cheats on his wife, but can still effectively run the country.

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erie C.

@Sonia999 Mar 11

This is first rate filmmaking and I wish I had seen it when it first came out. Brilliant screenplay by genius Medicare Elaine May and spectacular directing by the great Mike NIchols. Travolta could not be more perfect in the lead role with great support from emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton, Maura Tierney and the marvelous Adrian Lester! This astonishing cast also includes the legendary Kathy Bates and Billy Bob Thornton doing a phenomenal impersonation of James Carville. Loved this film.

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Bahad j

@RT27093708 08/06/2024

It's a lot of work from the recording and music team. The film can be seen. Because it has a great sound.

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Geke g

@RT40239519 08/05/2024

Perfect duo of Mike nichols and Travolta

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Munkhchimeg T

@RT64187897 08/05/2024

Has many good performances of actors. Highly recommended.

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Thomas M

@TMProofreader 11/25/2022

The best acting performance from Kathy Bates!

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isla s

@RT89656869 09/03/2022

I thought this was an interesting film, quite character focussed, with some amusing moments, plot twists and the like. It is somewhat thought provoking, in terms of the sort of manipulation and corruption often found in American politics and so on. I felt the characters were quite well portrayed, with some big names playing people I found myself wishing well for. Cast names include John Travolta, Emma Thomson, Billy Bob Thornton and Kathy Bates, among others (including Larry Hagman - J.R.!). It may be just over 20 years old as a film but it still seemed pretty relevant. Its an interesting watch. Not a bad one at all but if your looking for a fast paced and overly dramatic film then this may be a little slow and winding for you but as a depiction of the ever present media circus and the human side of political campaigns, its, as I say, certainly not bad.

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Mike Nichols

Director

John Travolta

Governor Jack Stanton

Emma Thompson

Susan Stanton

Billy Bob Thornton

Richard Jemmons

Kathy Bates

Libby Holden

Adrian Lester

Henry Burton

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Synopsis

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 (Adrian Lester) is tapped to oversee the presidential campaign of Gov. Jack Stanton (John Travolta). 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, (Emma Thompson) and an outspoken adviser, Richard Jemmons (Billy Bob Thornton).

Director: Mike Nichols
Producer: Mike Nichols
Screenwriter: Joe Klein, Elaine May
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Mutual Film Company, Icarus Films, Award Entertainment, Universal Pictures
Rating: R (Strong Language|Sexual References)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 20, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $39.0M
Runtime: 2h 23m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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