Primary Colors

Primary Colors (1998)

  • 80% of critics liked it
    (75 reviews)

  • 56% of users liked it
    (18,916 ratings)

Mike Nichols directed this Elaine May screenplay adapted from the 1996 bestseller by "Anonymous" (Joe Klein), who fictionalized Bill Clinton's first presidential campaign. In the New Hampshire primary, Governor Jack Stanton (John Travolta) convinces Henry Burton (Adrian Lester), grandson of a… More

Play Trailer

R, 2 hr. 23 min.
Directed By
Mike Nichols
Written By
Elaine May
Genres
Comedy
In Theaters
Mar 20, 1998 Wide
On DVD
Sep 8, 1998
Universal

Critic Reviews

  • Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

    A smart and savvy piece of work.

  • Todd McCarthy, Variety

    Travolta's warmth and expansiveness effectively amplify and embellish the likable and personable side of Stanton.

  • Susan Stark, Detroit News

    The movie itself makes no judgment. It's smart enough to ask you to do that by yourself and for yourself.

  • David Denby, New York Magazine

    This entertaining but rather peculiar movie asks extraordinary questions, and I wish it were better equipped to give the answers.

  • Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

    Primary Colors doesn't even attempt an answer. It's content just going along for the ride. It's too busy having fun.

Read all 21 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • xGary X


    Primary Colours is a political satire following a southern governor who bears a striking resemblance to Bill Clinton on his presidential campaign trail. This film was obviously aimed far more at mainstream audiences than I was hoping for and so seems very tame to anyone used to the… More

  • Dan S


    A well done, if though occasionally flawed, political comedy/drama that features two golden performances from John Travolta and Kathy Bates. While it does get over-dramatic at some parts and some of the characters could've been fleshed out a tad better, for the most part this is… More

  • Cassandra M


    #4 Primary Colours Okay, technically, Travolta doesn?t play a president in Primary Colours, he plays a presidential candidate. But it can be argued that Travolta?s character - a womanizing, intelligent Southern governor - is based upon the pre-presidential days of one William… More

  • Daniel J D


    Definitely an important movie. A bit subversive at parts, but easily the best presidential election movie I've seen. A bit too silly in many parts, but it also manages to be pretty intense near the end. The movie asks a lot of serious questions about politics and yourself.

  • jay n


    Emma Thompson & Kathy Bates stand out but everyone is good. Could have stood trim here and there.

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

See full cast

Trailers & Clips