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      Primary Colors

      1998, Comedy/Drama, 2h 23m

      80 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

      What to know

      Critics Consensus

      Well acted and suprisingly funny. Read critic reviews

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      Movie Info

      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).

      • Rating: R (Strong Language|Sexual References)

      • Genre: Comedy, Drama

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Mike Nichols

      • Producer: Mike Nichols

      • Writer: Joe Klein, Elaine May

      • Release Date (Theaters):  wide

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Box Office (Gross USA): $39.0M

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: Universal Pictures

      • Production Co: Icarus Films, Universal Pictures, Award Entertainment, Mutual Film Company

      • Sound Mix: Dolby A, Dolby Stereo, DTS, SDDS, Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital

      • Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

      Cast & Crew

      John Travolta
      Emma Thompson
      Billy Bob Thornton
      Kathy Bates
      Adrian Lester
      Larry Hagman
      Diane Ladd
      Paul Guilfoyle
      Caroline Aaron
      Tommy Hollis
      Rob Reiner
      Ben Jones
      J.C. Quinn
      Robert Klein
      Tony Shalhoub
      Brian Markinson
      Elaine May
      Michael Haley
      Jonathan D. Krane
      Neil A. Machlis
      Ry Cooder
      Michael Ballhaus
      Arthur Schmidt
      Bo Welch
      Tom Duffield
      Cheryl Carasik
      Ann Roth
      Michele Imperato

      News & Interviews for Primary Colors

      Critic Reviews for Primary Colors

      Audience Reviews for Primary Colors

      • Nov 10, 2012
        This movie did not age well. There's a scene early in the democratic primary race where everyone in a packed diner is glued to the small television set, watching and commenting on an interview - "Today Show" style - of our candidate and his wife. Either our political culture was very different back in 1992, or this is an example of the movie's unrealistic, self-absorbed sensationalism. Without any clear sense of direction, we watch the plot stumble into one manufactured problem after another. Instead of insight into modern politics, we get guns, drugs, heart attacks, old men sleeping with 17 year olds, and gay sex - all in one race to become the democratic nominee.
        Super Reviewer
      • Feb 24, 2012
        Can be seen as the colourful version of The Ides of March. Probably too much of a take on a comedic image of Bill Clinton to be taken too seriously but entertaining..provided that you don't give it a great deal of thought.
        Super Reviewer
      • Feb 19, 2010
        What starts as an indictment, or at least a unromantic view, of the American political process ends on what feels like a falsely hopeful note.
        Super Reviewer
      • Jan 04, 2010
        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 a 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.
        Super Reviewer

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