Rating: 
Summary: Fine political film
Review: Southern governor Jack Stanton (John Travolta) and wife Susan (Emma Thompson) are a political team who have evolved from 60s idealism to 90s pragmatism. Jack is the heart and Susan is the brain; as conflicted as they are as a result of Jack's infidelities, they are committed to "making history" and know that neither one of them can do it alone. This film follows their campaign for the Democratic nomination and the crises of conscience undergone by their staff workers (Adrian Lester, Kathy Bates, Billy Bob Thornton) as they make their peace (or not) with the hardball choices and compromises that a serious bid for the presidency entails.Director Mike Nichol and screenwriter Elaine May have made a perceptive and serious yet entertaining and often very funny film about the American political process.
Rating:
Summary: Primary Colors is goooodddd
Review: John Travolta delivers another grandstanding perforance as a Bill Clinton type presidential candidate whose past unfolds and this movie fires up some good moments...for diehard Travolta fans...hey...I like the guy...he's coolll in my book
Rating: 
Summary: It's Deja Vu All Over Again....
Review: This review refers to the Widescreen DVD edition(Universal) of "Primary Colors".... Leave it to the fabulous team of Mike Nichols and Elaine May to bring us a politcal satire that is funny,poignant and savvy. One that will have you laughing out loud as well as tug at your heartstrings.Based on the book by "Anonymous"(you won't get the name out of me), Elaine May's screenplay, and a brillant all star cast, under the expert direction of Mike Nichols will leave you wanting more. Now stop me if this sounds familiar....Governor Jack Stanton, from the South, is running in the National Primary Elections for President. His opponents are tough and the politics are rough.He has believed in his causes for many years and has stood true to his ideals, his strong-willed wife always at his side.He is a man of the people. Okay, okay, so he has a bit of a problem when it comes to women, and oh yeah he managed to dodge the draft back in the 60's, but hey who's counting....The other side..that's who! At every turn his opponents are using this information against him, sometimes stooping to the lowest levels to make their point.(I am not mentioning any names here..but sound familiar yet?)The ultimate test of Stanton's ideals and career comes when he must decide whether to fight fire with fire or stay clear of the dirty politics. Can a politician win on his ideas alone? Find out in this absolutely engrossing ride on the campaign trail. The cast doesn't get any better. John Travolta leads this terrific ensemble as go-getter Gov.Stanton. Emma Thompson, as always turns in a fine performance in her role as the chomping-at-the bit to be first lady,wife of the Governor. Billy Bob Thornton, Maury Tierney, Paul Guilfoyle, and Larry Hagman all add their special charms.Kathy Bates will steal your heart and Adrian Lester is marvelous as the fresh new idealistic member of the campaign team, who sees Stanton as the man who would be Kennedy.The wonderful music by Ry Cooder and great photography by Michael Ballhaus complete this fabulous film. The anamorphic widescreen(2.35:1)picture of this DVD is outstanding. It is clear and bright with vivid colors.The sound in DD5.1 surround was well spaced. The background sounds, the music and the dialouge all nicely intergrated. There are cast and filmaker bios,and a theatrical trailer. The DVD includes captions in English, subtitles in Spanish and may be viewed in French(5.1) as well. A political satire that will touch you and make you smile. Also makes a nice companion to "Wag The Dog", another political satire that may make you say "It's deja vu all over again"... go for it...and enjoy....Laurie
Rating:
Summary: Scathing, honest look at American politics
Review: First of all, reading some of the reviews here, many viewers have missed the point of this movie. This movie does not make the "Cllinton-esque" character out to be a hero. Very much the opposite. Anybody remember Libby's "Test" that the Stantons failed? The movie isn't leftist and it wasn't produced by the infamous "right wing." And it doesn't judge one politician, per say, but politics in general---better ideas and good intentions don't matter in an election. It's all about image and winning, and doing whatever it takes to nab a seat in Washington, sacrificing morality. And the American people get a swipe too, from this film. The coffee house scene, when the Stantons are discussing their political future on TV, the people's reaction: "Her hair needs to be longer." "He needs to lose weight." But enough about the bigger picture. This movie is hilarious, even more so b/c it's true. Kathy Bates' performance alone is worth the price of this movie. How she gets the tabloid reporter to write a retraction is hysterical. "I am a gay lesbian woman, I do not hold the mythology of the male organ!" Travolta and Thompson are simply magnificent. When we first meet them, they are a likeable couple, and Stanton is seen as a brilliant politician, connecting with people. (Even if the connection is false showmanship.) As the film progresses, we see the moral decline, as their lust for greed and power take over. Emma Thompson is fantastic as the driven, power hungry wife who gets a cold, stone heart by the end of the election. I know this makes it sound like a serious film. And in many ways, it is. But it's also funny, in the same vein as Mark Twain's later novels--entertaining, yet full of cynical observations that are always true. Why this was a box office flop is beyond me. But maybe it went over people's heads. Judging by many reviews on here and in other news sources, I think a lot of people missed the point. Which just makes the ending of this film all the more sad.
Rating:
Summary: These Colors Do Run-- For Office!
Review: I've seen this movie several times now, and it certain holds up well. Of course, it's all old history now. We've long since found out who the "anonymous" author was who wrote the best-selling novel from which this movie was made. There may be small parts in this movie but certainly no small performances. There is not a bad performance from anybody, from Trovolta as the Southern governor who comes out of nowhere to run for president, to his steely wife played by Emmy Thompson to Kathy Bates-- as the calls herself -- the "gay lesbian" who still believes in honesty and integrity. The movie has many deliciously funny scenes. For instance, how about Jack Stanton's heartbreaking-- though totally fabricated-- account of his uncle, a war hero who couldn't read or write. Of course this politically ambitious couple reminds us of a couple who lived in the White House a few years ago. Frankly I miss them both terribly and now find this little movie terribly bittersweet. Mike Nichols has a great flair for comedy and is one of our best directors.
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Summary: Excellent Movie, Fine Comedy, Couldn't Possibly Happen
Review: This terrific tale of a sleazy politician is extremely entertaining, and thank goodness it's fiction. Can you imagine the self-values that voters would have to compromise, to support a an unsavory candidate like this in real life? Can you imagine any self-respecting female supporting a man like this, who routinely treats women like garbage? Such supporters would have to totally flush their morals and integrity down the toilet -- they would have to actively condoning lying, adultery and worse, in backing the sort of human dreck that John Travolta marvelously portrayed in this film. That's why fiction is such a wonderful medium. The screenwriters created a magnificent fantasy world wherein a cheap little self-interested, self-serving political hack elevated himself into major election competition. We can be relieved that America's major political parties are too honorable to ever put forward, and/or stand by, a candidate of this poor quality (along with his clinging, equally opportunistic Evita-like wife, who acts blind to all of his disgusting behavior while busy with her own advancement). "Primary Colors" is an entertaining romp through a made-up, totally empty man's putrid story, and we should be grateful with every breath we take that a political scenario this disgusting could never occur in the real world.
Rating:
Summary: Really Fine!
Review: "Primary Colors" is a genuinely hard-luck movie. Distributed when the real-life giant scandals of the Clinton presidency were at their height, customers were not in a mood for a cutting edge comedy on quasi-fictional smaller scandals concerning the same players. It's a shame! The movie has a superb cast, deft timing, packs a wallop, and teases the audience into some thoughtful moments. John Travolta shines as the exuberant, larger-than-life, shrewd and sentimental presidential candidate, Jack Stanton. He is a man with over-sized appetites whether it is chitlins or chicks, and rallies or righteousness. Emma Thompson is properly steely in her resolve, but shows her aching vulnerability to Jack's massive infidelity. Billy Bob Thornton was made for the role a down-home vulgar cracker sidekick. He can cry over his mama one minute and be ruthlessly savage the next. Then there is Kathy Bates. I think it is an axiom of show biz to never co-star with a kid or a dog because they will upstage you every time. To kids and dogs, add Kathy Bates. When she blows into the movie as a wisecracking, politically savvy and highly neurotic idealist; everything else fades into the background. This is one of the great movies of the decade. Everything about it is first class from the brilliant direction of Mike Nichols ably assisted by his old sidekick Elaine Mayes to the carefully placed cameo roles of Larry Hagman and Rob Reiner. Add this one to your DVD library.
-sweetmolly-
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Summary: Terrible Eyebrows, Great Movie. . .
Review: John Travolta was a prime choice for this would be Bill Clinton, named Jack Stanton. His dye-job wasn't great, but aside from that, this movie was a pretty strong adaptation of the book with the same title. The book was written in the first person perspective of Henry Burton, the grandson of a civil rights leader. Though the perspective issue was a bit difficult to overcome completely, the story still moved really well. The movie could have easily been an hour longer. The only real problem presented was perhaps an editing issue. There were a few terms used partway through the film that perhaps were used earlier and edited for time's sake. The movie was good. It told the story of a politician, even though he was a brilliant strategist and possessed a keen political mind, he really cared for and loved people. He wanted to shake hands with you and hear your story. Overall, it showed the trail of bad choices and shortcomings of a brilliant, but flawed, man. epc
Rating:
Summary: Primary Colors: political power, humor, corruption
Review: Primary colors is an interesting film. I truly enjoyed this film. This film unfolds with a presidential hopeful, Travolta, whose fictional character is more like Bill Clinton. And I am sure the author of the book had this in mind. The film progresses with the evolution in the making of what goes on before, during, and upon taking the presidential seat of power. But in this movie, a crisis takes place: the president is accused of having sex with an underage girl. And the artists and other designers take hold of the situation by manipulating the public and by also character assasination.
How would this fictional event take true to life? We have had situations in which this film can honestly unveil the true to life decisions to divert attention, to character assassinate, to control subordinates along with the pubic's attention, and in the end, reach the individual's ultimate or close to his last and most pressing goal: the seat of power.
This film should be part of a political science course. Without the scandal or with. Both points or views can addresss some of our leadership's complex nature in holding on to power while at the same time not losing control of the situation.
This film also blends a degree of humor in which John Travolta, Billy Bob Thorton, Emma Thompson, Kathy Bates, and Adrian Lester do an incredible acting performance. I cannot give enough praise to each actor. This is an incredible performance. Thank You
Rating:
Summary: Serious and hilarious , but not always PC...
Review: Henry Burton (Adrian Lester) is more or less abducted by Governor Jack Stanton's (John Travolta) campaign crew who are helping him run for President of United States. However, Henry begins to work for Governor Stanton, since it appears to Henry that the Governor's intentions are sincere. As the campaign escalates, they face damaging opposition, and when things couldn't get worse, a sex scandal emerges. It seems like the Governor has had extramarital affairs, but the Governor's wife, Susan (Emma Thompson) stays strong by his side. In order to stay on top of what the Governor has done in the past, they hire their friend, Libby Holden (Kathy Bates), to help clean up the Governor's name. Soon, the presidential campaign seems to become a popularity contest where image takes precedence over issues. Primary Colors has a brilliant cast that performs up to the expectations in a very interesting story. However, the story lacked that special touch that would put it over the top. Nevertheless, it provided the audience with a very good film experience that will satisfy their curiosity and amusement.
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