Primary Colors Movie Review 1998

Joe Klein's anonymously published political satire is adapted for the big screen, starting off humorously and shifting into somber. Southern good ole boy, Gov. Jack Stanton (Travolta), and his savvy wife (Thompson) are after the presidential nomination and surrounded by crazy associates, including skeptical first-time campaign manager Henry Burton (Lester). More about Henry's political baptism by fire than anything else, as he tries to accommodate his conscience to the continuous scandals and double-dealing. It really doesn't matter whether Travolta's channeling Clinton or if Thompson acts like Hilary, since the film has bigger problems. The change in tone is jarring, characters and situations disappear without warning. And given that the press act like salivating wolverines at the merest hint of scandal, the situation surrounding opponent Fred Picker (Hagman) seems far-fetched at best. Still the goings-on will hold your attention until they're over--and you realize it's all smoke-and-mirrors.

Distribution

Universal Studios Home Video, 100 Universal City Plz., Universal City, CA 91608-9955, Phone: (818)777-1000, Fax: (818)866-1483, URL: http://www.universalstudios.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 138 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Satire & Parody, Politics, Presidency, Suicide, Marriage, American South, Mass Media, Capitol Capers, Vote for Me!

Screenplay

Elaine May

Cast

John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Adrian Lester, Kathy Bates, Billy Bob Thornton, Larry Hagman, Maura Tierney, Stacy Edwards, Diane Ladd, Gia Carides, Paul Guilfoyle, Tommy Hollis, Robert Klein, J.C. Quinn, Rob Reiner, Caroline Aaron, Allison Janney, Mykelti Williamson, Tony Shalhoub, John Vargas, Ben Jones, Bonnie Bartlett

Cinematography

Michael Ballhaus

Director

Mike Nichols

Music

Ry Cooder

Producer

Mike Nichols, Neil Machlis, Jonathan D. Krane, Mutual Film Corporation, Universal Pictures

Awards

British Acad. 1998: Adapt. Screenplay; Screen Actors Guild 1998: Support. Actress (Bates); Broadcast Film Critics 1998: Support. Actress (Bates).