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Primary Colors on DVD (1998)

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Average rating: 65%
1316619182025
3.0
from 365 members
 
Starring: John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates
Director: Mike Nichols
Studio: UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK
Run time: 137 mins
Certificate: 15
User collections: Best Presidents, Best Films of the Last Ten Years, Part One: 1998
Genres: Comedy
Languages: English
Subtitles: None
Released: 04/04/2005

Brief synopsis of Primary Colors

John Travolta leads an all-star cast (including Oscar winners Emma Thompson, Kathy Bates and Billy Bob Thornton) on a wild race to the presidency in this savagely funny comedy. Jack Stanton is a virtually unknown Southern governor on a quest for the White House with his strong, savvy and equally ambitious wife, Susan. Running against all odds, the Stantons need all the help they can get from their extremely colourful political team.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 4 stars out of 5 Radio Times

John Travolta is convincing as a womanising senator running for president in this smart and witty political satire, written by Elaine May and directed by her frequent partner, Mike Nichols. Adapted from a novel by Joe Klein, it has some great, cynical set pieces while, as the combative wife, Emma Thompson gives as good as she gets. Both leads turn in accomplished performances, but they're almost outshone by Kathy Bates as the future president's lesbian hatchet woman. This is politics with an all too human face.

Rating of 2 stars out of 4 Halliwell's Film Guide

A tart, knowing account of American politics, based on a bestselling novel that was itself based on Bill Clinton's first presidential campaign; it both entertains and, in its exposure of the backstage mechanics of massaging public opinion, appals.

Time Out

Travolta looks the spitting image of Bill Clinton - from the rear. This film à clef about Clinton's 1990 campaign for... Read more on www.timeout.com

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 4 starsJonn Travolta looks very much like Clinton ;-)

Carolyn Chase from Northwich, Cheshire , 18/08/2004

This film shows John Travolta strutting his Clinton-like stuff with Emma Thompson made-up like Hilary for all she is worth! Politics aside, this is a really watchable film with a touch of nostalgia. Travolta plays the up and coming politician who mustn't get his reputation smudged while trying to smudge his opponents (who happens to be Larry Hagman of J.R. fame). The bit where he sinks Hagman and then quietly sings 'Whatever Happened to the Good Old Boys Like Me' is priceless. Kathy Bates also has an interesting part. A great film with a good ending.

  4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 3 starsBelievable

Cato , 07/03/2006

This is a good film, but as in many modern American films, at least 20 minutes could have been cut. John Travolta does a superb rendition of Clinton in this expose of the American political system, ably backed by Emma Thompson as a Hilary like wife. I must admit that I couldn't find a lot to laugh at though in what was billed as a comedy. Larry Hagman appears as a political opponent who is in danger of being outed, and all of Clinton's sexual peccadillos are there for all to see. Politicians exposed yet again!

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
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Rated - 3 starsPrimary colours........ if you watch in the UK!

A customer from Bedfordshire,UK , 18/06/2005

Great John Travolta movie.Very realistic, good acting. Certainly worth watching.

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Rated - 4 starsClinton revelaed

A customer from Twickenham England , 12/11/2006

A very good protrayal(that is based on his biographies)of the Clintons and in particular his political skills without any attempt to cover up his habits. A good film to view if you have any interest in American politics. Worth waiting to see.

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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 3 starsBelievable

Cato , 07/03/2006

This is a good film, but as in many modern American films, at least 20 minutes could have been cut. John Travolta does a superb rendition of Clinton in this expose of the American political system, ably backed by Emma Thompson as a Hilary like wife. I must admit that I couldn't find a lot to laugh at though in what was billed as a comedy. Larry Hagman appears as a political opponent who is in danger of being outed, and all of Clinton's sexual peccadillos are there for all to see. Politicians exposed yet again!

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
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Rated - 3 starsPrimary colours........ if you watch in the UK!

A customer from Bedfordshire,UK , 18/06/2005

Great John Travolta movie.Very realistic, good acting. Certainly worth watching.

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