Primary Colors

Rating:
Summary: John Travolta at his best.
Review: Excellent adaptation of the book. John Travolta and Kathy Bates give oscar worthy performances. I highly recommend this movie.

Rating:
Summary: That Wasn't Clinton in the Movie?
Review: I was first introduced to John Travolta when he played one of the Sweathogs on "Welcome Back Kotter." I thought he stunk and so did the show. But after watching him in several movies since then, I must say I appreciate what an excellent actor he is! The acting was first rate in this movie, as well as the direction. The movie flowed so smoothly because all the parts were so well integrated. I especially thought the portrayal of the president was quite close to home- someone who has problems controlling his urges, but someone who truly has a heart for the average person. This movie is highly recommended! Whether or not you like our president, it is worth seeing because of the artistry.

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Summary: Be Not Deceived- This is a GREAT Film
Review: Forget Bush and Gore! The more interesting race for the presidency took place in "Primary Colors," an all-around outstanding movie which sank into obscurity, unfortunately, thanks to the Lewinsky scandal. Yes, it's loosely based on the Clintons, but if you put that aside and just focus on the movie in its own right, it's not as hard of a pill to swallow.

To start, seasoned vets Nichols and May provide sharp direction and writing, respectively. Even though this movie is about politics (which, as all of us now know, can get pretty gruesome), they make it interesting and intriguing by going behind the scenes, showing the feelings and emotions of the people involved in a presidential campaign, feelings and emotions that don't come through in press conferences and interviews.

The vision of Nichols and May is turned into fine art by a superb cast. Travolta is surprisingly charismatic, and Emma Thompson deserves much more praise than she has received as his patient but driven wife. Billy Bob Thornton gives a hilarious supporting performance, and Larry Hagman also does a great job as Travolta's opponent who's unwillingly thrust into the spotlight (Rob Reiner also has a humerous cameo as the host of ... call-in radio show in Florida).

But the two stars that outshine the rest are Adrian Lester and Kathy Bates. Lester is absolute dynamite as the campaign manager who yearns for "the real thing," a candidate who actually practices what he preaches. His performance is dramatic and heartfelt. As great as his performance is, Bates is the unsung hero of the movie, and without question, deserved to win Best Supporting Actress (she was robbed by Judi Dench and her 5-minutes-of-fame in "Shakespeare in Love"). She is outrageously funny at times and humble and vulnerable at others, but always comes through with an endearing sincerity.

So, if you want to see an all-around great movie or, more specifically, if you've become disillusioned by the political process and the (so-called) leaders it has produced, there has never been a better time to watch "Primary Colors."

Rating:
Summary: the story of Bill
Review: basically the story of the evilness of Bill Clinton America's worst president/murderer/rapist/womanizer/drug user/drug dealer/basically you name something that's a crime and he did it

a very good representation of the Clinton's evilness

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Summary: Is It Real or Just Fiction?
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: Brilliantly on the mark!
Review: This is my favorite film for the year 1998, when it came out. Of course, the timing of the release of this film couldn't have been worse, right in the midst of the whole Monica scandal. Now that we're half-way into the presidency of his successor, this film is worth taking a look if you haven't seen it yet.

In February 1996, the novel "Primary Colors" was the favorite parlor game of the year, as the hype surrounded just who "Anonymous" was and who the characters represent in real life. A lot of speculation surrounded George Stephanopoulos as the anonymous writer, since this novel is written from his perspective on Governor Clinton's 1992 campaign, but the cover was exposed about a year later, when some sleuthing revealed that a writer for Time Magazine (or was it Newsweek?), Joe Klein, had bought a pricey new home with undisclosed money that could only come from writing this novel. If anyone wants to see the effect of hype by use of "Anonymous"...compare the sensation "Primary Colors" caused in 1992, versus the disappearing act of the follow-up "The Running Mate" which was published under Joe Klein's name.

I loved the novel and couldn't wait to see the film version. I was there on opening day and it was every bit as great as the novel. The performances by John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton, and especially Kathy Bates are right on target. Its no secret that Travolta plays a charicature of President Bill Clinton who loves southern fried food and has a wandering eye for the ladies (Allison Janey in a pre-West Wing role as a flighty, fidgety librarian who falls under Governor Stanton's charm is a hoot to watch). He even mimicks Clinton's voice, though not nearly as good as Darrell Hammond does on "Saturday Night Live". Emma Thompson plays the serious half of the political couple, who's prone to throwing things at her husband's head, which he takes without retaliation. Its an interesting look at a political couple and how they perfectly complement each other. However, this film belongs hands down to Kathy Bates, as the no-nonsense, tough lady sent in to clean up the garbage. Her expressions and mannerisms are amusing to watch itself, with creative language that leave no mistake about her intentions. Kathy Bates owns this picture and by all rights should have won the Best Supporting Actress that year in this most memorable role. Billy Bob Thornton is also good in this film as the wise cracking "James Carville" character.

The film does stretch on a bit too long for those who aren't inclined to politics, as Libby (Kathy Bates) and Henry go to Miami to investigate allegations about a rival candidate that could take him out of contention for the Democratic nomination. Its the culmination of the plot and puts the two idealists to the test as to whether the candidate of their choice will live up to a promise made twenty years earlier in their youthful idealistic days. Its a lesson learned in practical politics and what it takes to win the top prize in this country.

Just how truthful are some of these controversies to the real Bill Clinton? Its nice to speculate, but in the end, this film is meant to be a fictional portrayal of a candidate in our political process, not a parody per se. Things are not always as they seem, no one is completely 100% moral like we want them to be (or ourselves think we are). We can only appreciate the give and take, finding what's most important and supporting that. This film is worth seeing if you haven't seen it yet, or worth revisiting outside of the crazy Monica-obsessed year that 1998 was. Look at it for what it is...a cautionary tale about what's fair game in politics, where supposedly "all's fair" (like in love and war).

Rating:
Summary: great political movie
Review: i love Primary Colors.

the story, the outline, the situations, and best of all, the cast. everything about this movie is awsome.

Jack Stanton is a southern governor who is running for the democratic nomination for President, and Henry, who is the son of a civil rights leader, joins on board in this one of a kind campaign classic comedy that presents real life situations such as the moral questions behind political leaders and their real political movtivations.

Stanton is confronted with stories of dodging the Vietnam War and being arrested, then having his record exsponged by the Chicago Mayor. Rumors of adultry threaten to end his political campaign and all along, his wife, almost blindly, is willing to ignore her husbands faults so long as they gain the prize.

this is a very good movie and really begs the question, just how far and how much are you willing to give up to gain the top spot, in this case, the White House.

funny movie and Billy Bob Thorton is awsome!!!!

highly recommend this film.

Rating:
Summary: I have to disagree
Review: Primary Colors is not a good film. John Travolta's Bill Clinton imitation starts wearing on the nerves very quickly and his accent is a crime against nature. Emma Thompson who is normally great is bland here. The only three people who really shine and almost make this a worthwile film are Billy Bob Thornton, Larry Hagman and Kathy Bates. Bates is particularly good as a politial operative who alas was a true believer and is crushed when she realizes that her gods are no better than their opponents.

Primary Colors isn't funny. It's not deep. It's not even witty and it doesnt' even cut it as a roman a clef. Sometimes terrific books in the hands of the wrong director or with the wrong actors just don't translate well to the big screen. This is one of those times.

Rating:
Summary: "Wow" is the only phrase that comes to mind
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: You are my sunshine, my only sunshine...you make happy...
Review: What an ensemble cast! Probably Travolta's last great performance in a movie, but he's not even the best one in this. Billy Bob Thorton is at his comic best and noone can play a better redneck in a movie (not even the great Robert Duvall, whom he idolizes). The best acting though is Kathy Bates. In her best performance since Misery (which was kind of over the top) and in just a small supporting role, she gives dimension and soul to a character other actresses may never have been able to channel. Even though the movie is longer than most comedies, every scene is well crafted in both the writing and directing that no scene is wasted. Lastly, I think that with all of the cylanders clicking at once with the acting, directing, and screen-writing, I highly recommend this movie to anyone.