Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5888 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-01-18
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English, French
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 143 minutes

Amazon.com Essential Video
Based on the novel by Anonymous (a.k.a. political reporter Joe Klein) and released when the Monica Lewinsky scandal was in full swing, Primary Colors may have been a case of too much, too soon for many moviegoers, who preferred the real-life Clinton crisis over the movie's thinly disguised "Clintonesque" comedy. The general public felt that the film was exploiting the president's indiscretions, and as a result one of the most critically acclaimed movies of 1998 was a box-office disappointment. But when considered apart from the Clinton scandals and judged on its own considerable merits, this superb comedy-drama provides an illuminating, insightful, and frequently hilarious look at the harsh realities of presidential politics. John Travolta stars as Jack Stanton, a presidential hopeful whose campaign is challenged by dual dilemmas: how to squelch a scandal involving the candidate's alleged sex with an underage girl, and how to handle information that could potentially ruin Stanton's opponent (superbly played by Larry Hagman). Stanton's wife (Emma Thompson) stands by her man despite awareness of his infidelities, but his loyal campaign planners (played by Billy Bob Thornton, Maura Tierney, and promising newcomer Adrian Lester) experience a crisis of conscience. So does one of the Stantons' oldest friends (Kathy Bates, in an Oscar-nominated role), whose sense of betrayal and lost idealism proves too much to bear. Masterfully adapted by director Mike Nichols and his former-comedy-partner-turned-screenwriter, Elaine May, Primary Colors plays like a sophisticated comedy with loads of memorable scenes and dialogue, but it sneaks up on you with devastating dramatic impact. Anchored by Travolta's superb performance (which is reminiscent of Clinton without being a cheap impersonation), the movie presents a story of great moral complexity and leaves viewers to contemplate their own reactions to the volatile and ethically complicated game of modern politics. --Jeff Shannon

Review
Arriving in theaters shortly after the Monica Lewinsky scandal shed new behind-the-scenes light on the Bill Clinton presidency, Primary Colors was perhaps too much a film of its moment. Adapting Joe Klein's roman � clef about the 1992 presidential campaign, director Mike Nichols asserted that the story of a young campaign strategist's eye-opening experience on Southern governor Jack Stanton's White House run was more about general issues of personal and political honor than specific events. John Travolta's honeyed Arkansas drawl, graying hair and affection for donuts, however, left no doubt about Stanton's Clintonian roots; one or two journalists even questioned whether Clinton had tried to influence the film's content. Either way, critics agreed that while Nichols and long-time collaborator Elaine May mined sardonic humor out of the Stanton campaign's sexual shenanigans and dirty dealings, the final turn toward a serious message about the contemporary political process somewhat tempered the film's satiric bite. Despite enormous (and unexpected) publicity from the Lewinsky affair, and pitch-perfect performances from Travolta, Emma Thompson, Oscar nominee Kathy Bates, Billy Bob Thornton, Adrian Lester, and Larry Hagman, Primary Colors failed to find a large audience, suggesting that one presidential media spectacle at a time was probably enough. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide

On the DVD
Production notes
Cast & filmmakers' bios
Film highlights
Theatrical trailer

Customer Reviews

How to Use the Presidency to Influence People
Politics has, for a long time, need taming, but using this parody on the Presidency to reflect the Peck's Bad Boy and its sidekick, Taming of the Shrew version of how to kick off (literally) a Presidential campaign and term of office is an excellent example of how to bring the wrath of Kahn (pronounced Hahn?) into the fragile arena of elections by persons who care little for the office, or the patriotism it represents. Whether or not it accurately depicts the candidate, Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary, is not nearly as important as the decision to portray their life together as it was, setting in motion an onslaught upon them, as well as upon the Presidency as an office worthy of holding, and what ordinary people will do to get there, or to influence who gets there. The fact that Americans have any respect for the office at all is the result of having had numerous persons who brought credit to it, in their decisionmaking abilities, and the knowledge they'd gained presumably through years of experience that they then decided to use to try and become elected, presumably, or as people hope, to better the lives of American people, and not for their own ego satisfaction, power and financial reward. The fact that the office is seen of late as evolving into the latter is reason enough to see the film, and to give serious consideration of how much puppetry goes into the making of the Presidency, and whether the persons who end up residing there, a.k.a., the Clintons, might reject the idea of being used as puppets, for their own purposes, or whether indeed they reduced themselves to the diplomatically impoverished pair they appeared to be, beginning with the film that supposedly characterized their marriage as well as their maneuvers to reach the White House post. While many recognize the difficulty of their marriage, few expected it to impact the post of the Presidency as much as it did. However, as an aftermath of the dilemma it posed for them, and for the American people, most do recognize that "Some things are just meant to go together," and this film did more to prove that point in combination with Clinton's years as President more than anything else during his terms, but supported by everything during them. This film in Presidential political history may well show how not to be so revealing of the true nature and character of Presidents rather than to display them, a detrimental effect for world citizens, but perhaps one needed to be heeded. To the extent that it trivialized Clinton, his wife, and their 1992 run for the White House is something people are not likely to forget soon, made all the more important for what transpired there. If anything, it should make Americans look more closely at Presidential candidates and their wives to inquire as to what or who they are voting for, and what to expect when they "arrive," however glamorous they appear to be at inaugural balls. Since it is not likely that the Presidency was meant to portray simply a good contest won and the beautiful pageantry of the office, nicknamed Camelot from the JFK years, that are meant to be replicated, never duplicated, it would be difficult to assume that Clinton and his wife did not try their very best to do just that. We can assume from the appearance, perhaps, that had JFK lived, he might have been subject to just such an impeachment hearing given the circumstances and lack of support that Clinton came into the White House with. We also learn how easily, if not comfortably, it is to cripple the office with public opinion, and disrespect for the office regardless of who might win the election and "appear" there on that world stage. While the office has much to offer the American people, most of what it has to offer is bound into the personality and effectiveness of the person who resides there for that term or terms of enchantment and hostility that it can be viewed to represent. That Clinton survived somewhat in tact is an achievement in itself; that he was able to accomplish anything during it is nothing short of a miracle, one we are not likely to see again soon. In that, he may be more of a JFK admirer than ever thought possible, and ultimately, had 8 years to prove it. Given his weaknesses and those of his wife, as seen by most Americans and portrayed in this film, if accurate, and accurately portrayed, his terms were either an extraordinary success or a dismal failure depending upon one's perspective - and just possibly, party affiliation, regardless of one's morality index.

Is It Real or Just Fiction?
I watched this film recently while reading Bill Clinton's book, "My Life," and after watching another DVD, "The War Room," and I have to say it's hard to tell if this "story" is fiction or a factual summary of Clinton's original run for the Presidency.

Regardless of the story behind the story this movie stands on its own as an excellent political film. John Travolta is fantastic (amazingly close to the real Clinton!) as Stanton the Southern candidate running for office. He leaves behind all hints of his normal sexiness and turns himself into a slick, conniving out of shape politican beant on winning his campaign. He pulls off this role with amazing ability as an actor, tearing up when necessary and showing anger without any brutality, he held it all in his eyes.

Kathy Bates plays a crazy campaign manager who tries to keep Stanton out of the dog house one too many times. She is brilliant in this role as a tough lesiban who succumbs to the reality of politics. She rants, she raves and she delivers great ethical speeches as her character attempts to right all of Stanton's wrongs (which are amazingly similar to Clinton's!).

I believe this film will open up a new level of awareness as to what actually occurs during a presidential campaign. An interesting film with a slow growing message and quite appropriate for political followers. I just wish Stanton/Clinton would finally show his TRUE colors!

"Wow" is the only phrase that comes to mind
When I first stumbled across a very very late night airing of Primary Colors on television, I was hesitant to sit back and enjoy the show. Political films just don't float my boat, since I find the actual politics somewhat uninteresting. However, within about forty-five seconds, I was hooked on this compelling comedy-drama. The story is superb, even though it isn't anything we haven't heard or joked about before. The acting is beyond superb, with every character given a voice and a story, so that you feel that nothing that is said or done is out of place. Although the comedic moments are great, what is really surprising is how, by the end of the film, you are deeply affected by the outcome of each character's story. And although the film is about politics, it is completely non-partisan and leaves the viewer to draw his or her own conclusions.

I feel that I cannot say enough good about Primary Colors. It is a surprisingly wonderful film that I would recommend to everyone.