Directed by Mike Nichols. Starring John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Adrian Lester, Maura Tierney, Larry Hagman, Diane Ladd, Tony Shalhoub, Paul Guilfoyle. Comedy/Drama/Political. Synopsis: A governor from a small southern state makes an unlikely bid for the Presidency, but his public persona does not always match up with his private life.
I've seen this one several times, and I think it is the best use of a heavyweight laden ensemble cast that I have ever seen. As the politically astute among you might recall, the novel of the same name by "anonymous" (turned out to be well known political writer Joe Klein) caused quite a stir around Bill Clinton's Washington, D.C. in the mid 90's and, for reasons that I could never understand or take seriously, the filmmakers insisted on denying that President Clinton was the inspiration, in any way, for the film.
Uh, yeah, o.k. I also believed the officials from Hooters when they say their logo is just about the owl, nothing else. Anyway, getting back on tract, Primary Colors is the story of the campaign of governor Jack Stanton (John Travolta The General's Daughter) who is making his run for the Presidency. We jump right into the-as you might guess from the title-primary season as the governor, his wife Susan (Emma Thompson Stranger Than Fiction), and his staff with newly hired Henry (Adrian Lester The Day After Tomorrow) land in
Right away, it seems that the gregarious and empathetic Stanton is not as wholesome as he appears to be and political aficionados will recognize all of the stories, true and otherwise, from came from the Clinton years: the womanizing, allegations of past drug use, suicide of a key long time supporter, allegation of a teen pregnancy, and so on. There is also the ability to make common folks feel so much a part of the campaign, the "he cares about people like me" thing that almost all successful candidates for office have.
But, don't make the mistake of thinking that this is strictly a political comedy...it is, but there is so much more elements of drama and really a reflection on what we as voters get from our politicians based on what we demand, I said before that it was wonderful use of an ensemble cast, but that does not take away from the brilliance of Thompson and Travolta. They both nailed their respective "Bill" and "Hillary" roles. Adrian Lester is more or less the eyepiece through which we see this happening and he is the only one in the film we root for the whole time.
Billy Bob Thornton (Chrystal, The Man Who Wasn't There) is brilliant as Richard, the unorthodox campaign genius who is a direct take off of the real James Carville. Likewise, Kathy Bates (Failure to Launch) does a great turn as the manic Libby, the most tragic character in the film. And, there is so much more talent, all put to good-if sometimes short-use: Allison Janney, Rob Reiner, Larry Hagman, Maura Tierney, Robert Klein, Mykelti Williamson, Gia Carides, and Paul Guilfoyle to name a few. Personally, my favorite star cameo was Tony Shalhoub (Monk) who is the source of Governor Stanton's deliverance from his most powerful rival in the primary season.
Quick moving, hard hitting, entertaining, and funny. If not for the heavy contemporary political overtones, you have to think this one might have been nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. It was that good.
But, that is just my opinion.
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