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Primary Colors

Play trailer Poster for Primary Colors R 1998 2h 23m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 79 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 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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Primary Colors

Primary Colors

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Critics Consensus

Well acted and suprisingly funny.

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Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Bahad j 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. See more Geke g 08/05/2024 Perfect duo of Mike nichols and Travolta See more Munkhchimeg T 08/05/2024 Has many good performances of actors. Highly recommended. See more Thomas M 11/25/2022 The best acting performance from Kathy Bates! See more isla s 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. See more 09/02/2022 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. See more Read all reviews
Primary Colors

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Cast & Crew

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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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Primary Colors

Primary Colors (1998) Primary Colors (1998) Primary Colors (1998) Primary Colors (1998) Primary Colors (1998) Primary Colors (1998) View more photos

Movie Info

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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