Primary Colors

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Primary Colors

R,

1998,

2h 23m,

Comedy/

Drama

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Watchlist

80%

80 Reviews

Tomatometer

64%

10,000+ Ratings

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, 2026

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

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Hillel Italie

Associated Press

Aug 8, 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

Mar 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)

Jun 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

Aug 4, 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

Feb 6, 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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Rey S

Apr 23, 2019

A relic! How times shift. "Kashmir made anything possible."

Theodore W

May 20, 2018

I never expected to like this as much as I did. But then again, it's Nichols directing a May script, which is usually a recipe for success. Her script is brilliantly written, equal parts funny and poignant. His directing is masterful. That tracking shot inspired by Ed Hopper's 'Nighthawks' is surprisingly effective and boils down what this film is all about: connecting with the people by all means necessary.

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Rey L

Dec 26, 2017

One of Travolta's underrated brilliant performance

Abraham L

Nov 11, 2017

Still perfect. More relevant than ever.

Luke R

Sep 26, 2017

one of my all-time fav movies

Harry G

Aug 22, 2017

Sometimes when I forget how boring politics is, I watch a political movie to remind myself.

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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

Henry Burton

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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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