Primary Colors

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Primary Colors

R

Released Mar 20, 1998

2h 23m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

80%

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80 Reviews

64%

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10,000+ Ratings

In this adaptation of the best-selling roman a 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

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

Aug 8, 2019

Full Review

Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

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

Mar 21, 2019

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Mike Clark

USA Today

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

Rated: 4/4

Jan 9, 2018

Full Review

Matthew Rozsa

Democracy at Work (Substack)

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.

Rated: 4/4

Jun 11, 2025

Full Review

James Croot

The Post NZ

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.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 4, 2023

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

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.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 6, 2023

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Bahad j

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/24

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Geke g

Perfect duo of Mike nichols and Travolta

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/24

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Munkhchimeg T

Has many good performances of actors. Highly recommended.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/24

Full Review

Thomas M

The best acting performance from Kathy Bates!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/25/22

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isla s

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

I don't know if it's Travolta's really cheesy southern draw or his Clinton likeness or Bate's late intro and exit to this film that makes me like it so much...but I did. It's on-point political games 90s style.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

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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 a 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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