Primary Colors

Play trailer

Primary Colors

R

1998

2h 23m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

80 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In this adaptation of the best-selling roman à 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).

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Well acted and suprisingly funny.

Read Critics Reviews

Bernard Zuel

Sydney Morning Herald

Apr 29

John Travolta could have not have pulled it off any better.

Go to Full Review

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

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

thiago S

@Thiagostone Apr 19

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

See more

Garry A

@heavyg Apr 11

If you like Bill Clinton, then you'll probably like the satire on his campaign. The 2 1/2 running time is excessive but it's a good film.

See more

Alfie M

@RT72569843 Mar 26

I thoroughly enjoyed Primary Colours. I think the casting is perfect, I think Travolta is exceptional and I couldn't imagine anybody else playing him. Adrian Lester plays "Henry" in a performance to admire. The plot is slick, swift and there is much to like. However, I absolutely hate the ending. The ending ruined this film for me. It's too anticlimactic and doesn't explain much. There is many characters in this film whom appears for minutes, skip an hour and randomly come back. I think there is many plot wholes (too many questions), and the overall ending just feels empty, with character subplots - unfulfilled. There is still much to enjoy, the 2 HR 15 MIN runtime goes by rapidly, but I think if the ending was nailed, this would be an all-time presidential film.

See more

erie C.

@Sonia999 Mar 11

This is first rate filmmaking and I wish I had seen it when it first came out. Brilliant screenplay by genius Medicare Elaine May and spectacular directing by the great Mike NIchols. Travolta could not be more perfect in the lead role with great support from emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton, Maura Tierney and the marvelous Adrian Lester! This astonishing cast also includes the legendary Kathy Bates and Billy Bob Thornton doing a phenomenal impersonation of James Carville. Loved this film.

See more

Bahad j

@RT27093708 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

@RT40239519 08/05/2024

Perfect duo of Mike nichols and Travolta

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

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

The Hard Way

76%

53%

The Hard Way

Watchlist

Grace of My Heart

79%

79%

Grace of My Heart

Watchlist

Bulworth

76%

68%

Bulworth

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Bulworth

Once Around

70%

73%

Once Around

Watchlist

Outside Providence

53%

65%

Outside Providence

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Comedy, Music, and Politics Collide for Lea Michele in New Series The Mayor

Emma Thompson’s 10 Best Movies

Billy Bob Thornton’s 10 Best Movies

View more photos

Synopsis

In this adaptation of the best-selling roman à 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)