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Plot: A man joins the political campaign of a smooth-operator candidate for president of the USA.
Meet Other Fans
Recent Reviews
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MCT:July 20, 2008A whirlwind ride on a political roller coaster. Staring John Travolta as a country boy governor, running for the Democratic Party nomination for president.
Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton, and Kathy Bates give excellent performances. A must watch for those that follow American politics. -
MCT:June 30, 2008Probably my all time favorite political film. I'll never forget the scene with Travolta talking all night with the clerk in a donut shop, or hugging and singing to the James Carville stand-in during their Mamathon.
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MCT:June 3, 2008
brilliant film...gives you a behind the scene feel of what he could have been like...very interesting
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MCT:April 15, 2008We're on the campaign trail with Governer Jack Stanton (Travolta - "A Civil Action", "Domestic Disturbance") and his wife, Susan (Thompson - "Much Ado About Nothing", "Sense and Sensibility", "Carrington"). Stanton is going for the American Presidency, but unfortunately his sex drive is giving campaign spin doctors, Henry (Lester - "Maybe Baby") and Richard (Thornton - "The Man Who Wasn't There", "Bandits", "Sling Blade"), plenty to do. Long-time political acquaintence, Libby (Bates - "Misery"), returns to help quash the challenge of his political opponent as well as the numerous sex scandals which rear their ugly heads.
This is quite obviously a humorous look inside the political lives of the Clintons, and at the time of it's release, Bill Clinton was still President of the US. But truth is probably funnier than fiction and so much of the behind-the-scenes action probably bears more than a passing resemblence to the real thing. Stanton is actually a positive politician, and one who doesn't want to use dirty tricks to win the election. His wife has her loyalty tested by his frequent infidelity and seems to view it as par for the course.
The main focus seems to be young campaign manager, Henry, who leaves his old job with a black politican to join Stanton's team. He believes in Stanton, but takes a dumping from his girlfriend for the way he has abandoned his principals. Along the way, Henry keeps the faith and is made feel part of the success, until eventually he sees behind the charade that is political spin wizardry. Thornton puts in a very notable performances as the over-bearing and vulgar, Richard, but Kathy Bates steals the show as the crazy but amiable campaign aide.
The 'Clintons' acquit themselves well with Travolta doing a pretty good 'Bill' and Emma Thompson playing more than a mere tag-along. But the movie itself lacks spark and despite best intentions, it rarely gets the blood rushing and the laughs are few and far between. If you want a political satire, check out Warren Beatty's "Bulworth". -
MCT:February 8, 2008
This film has a stupefyingly paradoxal quality of being both innocent/naive and taking very few things for granted, all at the same time. Causing a like reaction. I don't think it a very accurate reflection of the truths inherent to this aspect of politics and yet I do think it a success. The reason for this paradox is pretty simple. Reflecting those particular truths isn't the film's main objective. Instead, the objective is to juxtapose the lie with someone eager to believe, to capture the interaction between the two of them. The depth of the lie itself is of secondary concern, it's their dance that the film is about. It captures that dance very well.
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MCT:January 12, 2008Kathy bates and Emma Thompson stand out in this film and worth a view.Here again a sex scandel is the problem for team, trying to get their candidate to the White House. Sharp well written dialoge will keep you interested.
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MCT:January 9, 2008
True inside story of the 1st Bill Clinton campaign, written by Paul Begala, who becomes a black fictionalized character, but incidents and events based on his observations during the campaign.
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MCT:September 5, 2007
Im not into many political movies. Not one of my fav topics. But there are a few, & this one is so well done. The characters were all portrayed so well. Particularly Billy Bob Thornton's character! I loved him!
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MCT:July 6, 2007
The best American movie about politics lays bare almost every character concern that opponents of Bill Clinton may have had, and still manages to ask provocative challenging questions. This is Travolta's, best and the supporting cast, particularly Kathy Bates, Adrian Lester, and Emma Thompson, are equally terrific.
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MCT:June 22, 2007
The characters are so well formulated that this film moves quickly, We get to know them and like them even if maybe we should'nt. Kathy Bates is so likable with her tough as nails exterior, tempered with a heart breaking look into the question, can politics have a moral conscience ?
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MCT:June 22, 2007
Pretty good satire of Clinton. John Travola, Dule Hill, Kathy Bates, Billy Bob Thorton are all entertaining in this zeitgeist hit
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MCT:June 13, 2007
my love affair with all things american continues. john travolta heads a sterling cast telling a subtle but alarming tale.
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MCT:June 5, 2007im not sure why i liked it so much. lie at some points i was like "this is such a badly done movie" but at the same time, it moved me.
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MCT:May 21, 2007
John Travolta as Bill Clinton... Might have thought it was funny if I hadn't suffered through a long 8 years of that scumbag's administration...
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MCT:March 29, 2007
I was really disappointed.
and Bored Bored Bored!
I love US politics, but...errrghhh can't bothered to write constructive criticism, just take my word for it! -
MCT:March 15, 2007
Wonderful portrayal of a charismatic presidential canidate. But a bit too much propaganda. But still overall a fun movie, and Kathy Bates was wonderful!
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MCT:February 6, 2007
On first look Primary Colors can be regarded as simple political spouting fair. But, now looking back on the Clinton Presidency, we see many parallels between the Clintons and the Stantons. Both men were great leaders, great movers of people and both were deeply respected by many. The negative is here too, the affairs, the political propaganding and even the emotional issues that one must deal with in campaigns for any public office.
To many Clinton was a great hope for America and that is how Stanton is viewed. We realize that men all have vices, but these are treated with much more dignity then the Clintons ever cared to. The Stantons are a pillar of strength, not wavering for anything. The moral issues are played out till the very end when they are forced to make a choice of whether or not to use some political fuel against Governor Fred Picker. -
MCT:January 17, 2007
Peut-être un tantinet trop saugrenu, mais qui nous démontre de manière efficace la face cachée des élections.
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MCT:January 17, 2007
its about a guy wanna be presidnet. its a good looka tp olitics. the actors r good. its clever about politics.
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MCT:January 13, 2007
A very enjoyable film. It didn't seem like something I'd be interesting in at first, but I'm glad I decided to watch it. Excellent performances, great script.
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MCT:January 5, 2007Primary Colors was a very good 'political' movie that had all the makings of Bill Clinton throughout. A young African American leaves his post in order to work and serve on the campaign for John Travolta. He learns a lot about not only the campaign and processes and all that is involved, but he learns the heart of a man. Emma Thompson and Kathy Bates are both wonderful in this movie. This is not a comedy, but a satire, and Hillary Clinton's 'realness' is not what's important here. What is important is the 'rat race' and hidden agendas that politicians usually cover up. The way they play the game of exposing other candidates that they want to shake and get the attention of of themselves and any dirty laundru they have not washed. It is an excellent movie and now 'made for television' . If you wait a while, you'll see it again...and again...and again...
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MCT:October 17, 2006
Good adaptation of a good book. John Travolta is excellent as the president, sometimes nauesating to watch and Emma Thompson's First Lady is well portrayed. A good political film and insight into the White House.
