Primary Colors [HD]

Political Idealism Shattered.
I throughly enjoyed the novel by "Anonymous" when it came out in (I think) 1995. When the film premiered I braced myself for the worst. The film is never as good as the book, as anyone will tell you. But I was wrong. If anything, "Primary Colors" was *better* than the book, a thinly-veiled take-off on Bill Clinton's turbulent campaign for the Presidency in 1992.

Why is this such a fine movie? Two words- John Travolta. As Jack Stanton he captures the role perfectly- Clinton's demeanor, his passion for people, his weaknesses. I scoffed at hearing that Travolta was to play the part, and am I ever glad I was wrong. Travolta is terrific. Whoever won the Oscar for Best Actor that year must have done a great job to out-shine Travolta.

The rest of the cast is dead-on in their roles- Emma Thompson as Stanton's Hillary-esque wife, Adrian Lester as the Stephanapoulos-esque moral center to the film, Kathy Bates as Stanton's idealistic alter ego, and Larry Hagman...

"Wow" is the only phrase that comes to mind
When I first stumbled across a very very late night airing of Primary Colors on television, I was hesitant to sit back and enjoy the show. Political films just don't float my boat, since I find the actual politics somewhat uninteresting. However, within about forty-five seconds, I was hooked on this compelling comedy-drama. The story is superb, even though it isn't anything we haven't heard or joked about before. The acting is beyond superb, with every character given a voice and a story, so that you feel that nothing that is said or done is out of place. Although the comedic moments are great, what is really surprising is how, by the end of the film, you are deeply affected by the outcome of each character's story. And although the film is about politics, it is completely non-partisan and leaves the viewer to draw his or her own conclusions.

I feel that I cannot say enough good about Primary Colors. It is a surprisingly wonderful film that I would recommend to everyone.

It's Deja Vu All Over Again....
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...

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