What went down on the way to the top.
In this adaptation of the best-selling roman à clef about Bill Clinton's 1992 run for the White House, the young and gifted Henry Burton is tapped to oversee the presidential campaign of Governor Jack Stanton. Burton is pulled into the politician's colorful world and looks on as Stanton -- who has a wandering eye that could be his downfall -- contends with his ambitious wife, Susan, and an outspoken adviser, Richard Jemmons.
Log it
Sign in to log this.
Character
Classical in form, cool, epic and contemporary.
- classical in formformally daring
- cooloverwhelming
- intimateepic
- contemporarynostalgic
- contemplativerelentless
Who loves it, who doesn't
No profiled raters yet.
Where do you stand?
Answer first; then see how everyone, and your circle, split.
“Is John Travolta miscast as Jack Stanton?”
Sign in to answer.
Be the first to answer.
“Is it funnier than it is smart?”
Sign in to answer.
Be the first to answer.
“Is Primary Colors better than its reputation?”
Sign in to answer.
Be the first to answer.
Ask the title
A yes-or-no question, answered from what people wrote here, on TMDB and on Wikipedia. Never made up.
Reviews
No reviews yet.
Reviews on TMDB
Written by TMDB members; each links to the original. Not part of Tastebuds's numbers.
- CinemaSerfon TMDB · Aug 20236/10
There is something quite worrying about this depiction of an American Presidential nomination campaign - it is plausible... John Travolta ("Jack Stanton") positively oozes charisma - in all it's guises - as he schmoozes, charms, cheats and lies his way through a campaign that simultaneously sees him pat babies on their heads whilst stealing their lollipops... Adrian Lester is the enthusiastic, but naive, campaign manager who together with a feisty Kathy Bates is charged with getting their man into the final race with Emma Thompson as the supportive wife who has to tolerate all that the campaign - and her husband's obvious peccadillos - throw at them. The delivery is fast-paced, witty and authentic; the performances - especially the loyal but principled Bates - really reinforce the ultimate message that Joe Klein's story is trying to convey; and Mike Nicholls manages to keep the whole thing from becoming too overtly Clinton-esque! Adrian Lester is a little out of his depth, though, Emma Thompson isn't on her best form either and though it is nice to see old "J.R" on the screen again, Larry Hagman as a senator in the right place at the right time but with more skeletons in his closet
Read the whole review on TMDB
Cast
- John TravoltaJack Stanton
- Emma ThompsonSusan Stanton
- Billy Bob ThorntonRichard Jemmons
- Adrian LesterHenry Burton
- Maura TierneyDaisy Green
- Paul GuilfoyleHoward Ferguson
- Larry HagmanGov. Fred Picker
- Kathy BatesLibby Holden
- Diane LaddMamma Stanton
- Rebecca WalkerMarch
Crew
- Mike NicholsDirector
- Elaine MayScreenplay
- Joe KleinNovel
- Michael BallhausDirector of Photography
- Ry CooderOriginal Music Composer
- Arthur SchmidtEditor
- Mike NicholsProducer
Where to watch
Checking availability…
Pairings
Companions we picked from the closest works, and how to take them.
Similar in taste
Closest on the same fourteen dimensions, from everything scored on Tastebuds Other media included when they land close.
Game Change 201279% alikeBoth classical in form.
The Candidate 197277% alikeBoth classical in form.
War Dogs 201677% alikeBoth classical in form.
Charlie Wilson's War 200776% alikeBoth classical in form.
State of the Union 194874% alikeBoth classical in form.
The Paper 199472% alikeBoth classical in form.
Three Kings 199972% alikeBoth classical in form.
Casino Jack 201072% alikeBoth classical in form.
Veronica Mars 200470% alikeTelevision · Both classical in form.
The Lowdown 202569% alikeTelevision · Both classical in form.
Often watched with
Recommendations from TMDB. Opening one adds it to Tastebuds
