Primary Colors (1998)
Front Cover Actor
John Travolta Gov. Jack Stanton
Emma Thompson Susan Stanton
Billy Bob Thornton Richard Jemmons
Kathy Bates Libby Holden
Adrian Lester Henry Burton
Maura Tierney Daisy
Larry Hagman Gov. Fred Picker
Diane Ladd Mamma Stanton
Paul Guilfoyle Howard Ferguson
Rebecca Walker March
John Travolta Governor Jack Stanton
Larry Hagman Governor Fred Picker
Movie Details
Genre Comedy; Drama
Director Mike Nichols
Writer Joe Klein; Elaine May
Studio Universal
Language English
Audience Rating R
Running Time 2 hr 23 mins
Country USA
Color Color
Plot
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 dig 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
Personal Details
Seen It No
Index 153
In Collection Yes
Purchase Date 8/2/2003
Tape Label 52
Product Details
Format VHS
Region Region 1
Release Date 2003
Nr of Disks/Tapes 1
Links
Internet Movie Database