Primary Colors (1998)

Based on the novel by Anonymous (a.k.a. political reporter Joe Klein) and released when the Monica Lewinsky scandal was in full swing, Primary Colors may have been a case of too much, too soon for many moviegoers, who preferred the real-life Clinton crisis over the movie's thinly disguised "Clintonesque" comedy. The general public felt that the film was exploiting the president's indiscretions, and as a result one of the most critically acclaimed movies of 1998 was a box-office disappointment. But when considered apart from the Clinton scandals and judged on its own considerable merits, this superb comedy-drama provides an illuminating, insightful, and frequently hilarious look at the harsh realities of presidential politics. John Travolta stars as Jack Stanton, a presidential hopeful whose campaign is challenged by dual dilemmas: how to squelch a scandal involving the candidate's alleged sex with an underage girl, and how to handle information that could potentially ruin Stanton's opponent (superbly played by Larry Hagman). Stanton's wife (Emma Thompson) stands by her man despite awareness of his infidelities, but his loyal campaign planners (played by Billy Bob Thornton, Maura Tierney, and promising newcomer Adrian Lester) experience a crisis of conscience. So does one of the Stantons' oldest friends (Kathy Bates, in an Oscar-nominated role), whose sense of betrayal and lost idealism proves too much to bear. Masterfully adapted by director Mike Nichols and his former-comedy-partner-turned-screenwriter, Elaine May, Primary Colors plays like a sophisticated comedy with loads of memorable scenes and dialogue, but it sneaks up on you with devastating dramatic impact. Anchored by Travolta's superb performance (which is reminiscent of Clinton without being a cheap impersonation), the movie presents a story of great moral complexity and leaves viewers to contemplate their own reactions to the volatile and ethically complicated game of modern politics. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com essential video

 PRIMARY COLORS
Great product and great service. Love the movie. It should be right up there with the classics. April 1, 2008

 Feel Good Movie
How many times is a political drama called a feel good movie? It may have done bad at the box office, but it was only because people were tired of the Clinton bashing. Yes this movie picks at Bill Clinton's 'bad' habits, but it makes me feel good. Not in the sense that I'm better, but the sense that I can laugh and go through the ups and downs of the movie and come through at the end with a good ending. It makes me want to see West Wing episodes of Jack Stanton's White House. Hands down, I love this movie. February 8, 2008

 Staton or Clinton
Travolta does an excellent job of portraying Presidential hopeful Gov Staton which has a very close reality to Clinton in both background and styles. This is a comedy/drama about the campaign trail to the president for a little known southern Governor and all the challenges both in a typical campaign as well as his own (womanizing). All of the acting was very good and the story line was multidimensional, don't be surprised if you have to watch it a couple of times to pick everything up. December 9, 2007

 Travolta Nailed the Role
In what might've been just a parody of Bill Clinton, John Travolta's finest work to date goes beyond parody or immitation. Yes, you can tell it's Bill Clinton, but he gives the role an excellent three dimensional aspect that reveals him, for better and worse. The movie is worth seeing for his perfmance alone, but add Emma Thompson and Kathly Lee Bates and Billy Bob Thornton, and you've got a great ensemble telling a story that reveals that politics -- and politicians -- are sometimes more, and less, than we realize. Highly recommended. October 17, 2007

 If you like
Bill Clinton - you'll like the story of his presidential campaign, with all the very intimate details. September 16, 2007

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