Primary Colors (1998)
- Starring:
- John Travolta, Emma Thompson, (more)
- Director(s):
- Mike Nichols
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
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Mike Nichols directed this Elaine May screenplay adapted from the 1996 bestseller by "Anonymous" (Joe Klein), who fictionalized Bill Clinton's first presidential campaign. In the New Hampshire primary, Governor Jack Stanton (John Travolta) convinces Henry Burton (Adrian Lester), grandson of a respected civil rights pioneer, to become his deputy campaign manager. Stanton's smart wife Susan (Emma Thompson) always comes through with public support for her philandering husband. The film's parallel for James Carville is Stanton's redneck advisor Richard Jemmons (Billy Bob Thornton), who knows every strategy and tactic but worries, "The woman thing, that's the killer." Sure enough, problems during the New Hampshire primary include charges of adultery. To get a handle on past peccadillos, Stanton's staff brings in an old family friend, lesbian Libby Holden (Kathy Bates), who knows how to clean up dirt. Stanton, a strong debater, moves on to Florida and New York. When one opposing candidate drops dead of a heart attack, he's replaced by Florida's Governor Fred Picker (Larry Hagman), but Holden holds the skeleton key to the skeleton in Picker's closet. Just how the Stantons put this information to use reveals whether they are ruthless politicians or inspirational leaders with ideals. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 144 mins
Complete Cast:
- John Travolta - Gov. Jack Stanton
- Billy Bob Thornton - Richard Jemmons
- Adrian Lester - Henry Burton
- Larry Hagman - Gov. Fred Picker
- Paul Guilfoyle - Howard Ferguson
- Caroline Aaron - Lucille Kaufman
- Rob Reiner - Izzy Rosenblatt
- J.C. Quinn - Uncle Charlie
- Robert Klein - Norman Asher
- Tony Shalhoub - Eddie Reyes
- Ned Eisenberg - Brad Lieberman
- Chelcie Ross - Charlie Martin
- John Vargas - Lorenzo Delgado
- Gia Carides - Cashmere McLeod
- Harrison Young - Sam
- Emma Thompson - Susan Stanton
- Kathy Bates - Libby Holden
- Maura Tierney - Daisy
- Diane Ladd - Mamma Stanton
- Rebecca Walker - March
- Tommy Hollis - Fat Willie
- Ben Jones - Arlen Sporken
- Allison Janney - Miss Walsh
- Mykelti Williamson - Dewayne Smith
- Brian Markinson - Randy Culligan
- O'Neal Compton - Sailorman Shoreson
- Bonnie Bartlett - Martha Harris
- Stacy Edwards - Jennifer Rogers
- Robert Symonds - Bart Nilson
- Director(s):
- Mike Nichols
- Writer(s):
- Elaine May
- Producer(s):
- Mike Nichols
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Adult Language, Adult Situations)
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
- 1998 - Primary Colors - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actor
- 1998 - Primary Colors - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actress
- 1998 - Primary Colors - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actress
- 1998 - Primary Colors - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actress (Runner-up)
- 1998 - Primary Colors - Screen Actors Guild - Best Supporting Actress
