Primary Colors

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Primary Colors

R

1998

2h 23m

Comedy

Drama

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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).

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Critics Consensus

Well acted and suprisingly funny.

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Bernard Zuel

Sydney Morning Herald

Apr 29

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

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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.

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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.

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Matthew Rozsa

Democracy at Work (Substack)

06/11/2025

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.

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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.

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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.

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Josh P

@jtpeterson76 Jul 4

Some of the story line is corny as hell and some of it is very good. Some of the acting is very good and some of it sucks. It’s entertaining enough.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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)

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