Welcome to the world of politics, Hollywood style. Primary Colors is the story of Jack Stanton, governor of an unamed southern state who is running for president. Coincidentilly (yeah right) he looks, talks and acts just like another former governor of a southern state who now is known as Mr. President. If there is any doubt whether this movie is supposed to be about President Clinton, they are answered in under a minute, as you hear John Travolta talk with Cliton's voice and walk with his body langauge.
John Travolta plays Bill Clint... er, Jack Stanton
The film follows the perspective of Henry Burton (Adrian Lester), a young black political strategist and grandson of a civil rights leader (every time he is introduced to someone their first responsed is something like "Your grandpa was a great man" or "I marched with your grandaddy"). Burton is drawn into Stanton's presidential campaign because he sees that Stanton actually cares about the people he wants to lead and is genuinely willing to work for the people. As he gets more and more into the campaign he finds out that Stanton may be idealistic on the issues, but his personal life leads something to be desired. After two sex scandles that almost destroy Stanton's campaign, Burton is forced to realize that his dream of a "perfect" candidate just aren't going to happen.
There is some incredible acting in this film. As I said before, Travolta's portrayal of Clinton... er, Stanton has the president's manuerisms down perfectly. Emma Thompson plays the part of Susan Stanton, Jack's wife, so brilliantly that all you can see is Bill and Hiliary. But in my opinion the two best actors in this movie were Kathy Bates and Billy Bob Thorton who both play campaign. Bates plays the campaign trouble shooter Libby Holden, who's job is to protect Stanton from potential problems... and Thorton plays Richard Jemmons, the southern political strategist who is proud to be a redneck. Both characters added elements of comic relief and drama that was part of the "glue" that held the film together. I realize this is early in the year, but both Bates and Thorton are definite candidates for next years "Mikey's" (and the Oscars as well) for Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor.
The campaign team, Billy Bob Thorton, Maura Tierny, and Adrian Lester
The movie as a whole left me feeling kind of iffy. There were parts of it that I loved, and there were parts that made me wonder what they were thinking. Most of the movie would be considered a comedy, especially when you are trying to figure out who is supposed to be who. But towards the end it becomes much more of a drama. It also felt, to me at least, that the ending didn't fit the rest of the movie... as if suddenly the producers changed writers for the last fifteen minutes of the film. However, overall, Primary Colors delivers many laughs... and it makes you think about politics. Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, it seems you will be coming out of the movie saying "I told you so" to the other party. The characters and the superb acting job by the entire cast make Primary Colors and excellent movie.
