IMDb >
Primary Colors (1998)
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsPrimary Colors (1998) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 62 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 2) |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
20 March 1998 (USA)
more
Tagline:
What went down on the way to the top. more
Plot:
A man joins the political campaign of a smooth-operator candidate for president of the USA. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
Another 9 wins
&
15 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(53 articles)
Travolta and Williams Make You Nostalgic for Battlefield Earth
(From Huffington Post. 7 December 2009, 7:14 AM, PST)
Slideshow: Hollywood Collectors Show Chicago Portraits of Tia Carrere, Mickey Rooney, Jonathan Frakes, More
(From HollywoodChicago.com. 28 October 2009, 10:51 PM, PDT)
(From Huffington Post. 7 December 2009, 7:14 AM, PST)
Slideshow: Hollywood Collectors Show Chicago Portraits of Tia Carrere, Mickey Rooney, Jonathan Frakes, More
(From HollywoodChicago.com. 28 October 2009, 10:51 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Primary Flaws: A Modern Tragedy
more (144 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| John Travolta | ... | Governor Jack Stanton | |
| Emma Thompson | ... | Susan Stanton | |
| Billy Bob Thornton | ... | Richard Jemmons | |
| Kathy Bates | ... | Libby Holden | |
| Adrian Lester | ... | Henry Burton | |
| Maura Tierney | ... | Daisy Green | |
| Larry Hagman | ... | Gov. Fred Picker | |
| Diane Ladd | ... | Mamma Stanton | |
| Paul Guilfoyle | ... | Howard Ferguson | |
| Rebecca Walker | ... | March | |
| Caroline Aaron | ... | Lucille Kaufman | |
| Tommy Hollis | ... | William McCullison (Fat Willie) | |
| Rob Reiner | ... | Izzy Rosenblatt | |
| Ben Jones | ... | Arlen Sporken | |
| J.C. Quinn | ... | Uncle Charlie |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
MPAA:
Rated R for strong language and sexual references.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
143 min
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Denmark:7 |
Australia:M (re-rating after appeal) |
Australia:MA (original rating) |
Iceland:L |
South Korea:12 |
Philippines:PG-13 |
Singapore:M18 |
Spain:13 |
Finland:K-3 (new rating: 2001) |
Argentina:13 |
Belgium:KT |
Canada:PG |
Chile:14 |
Finland:S |
France:U |
Germany:12 (w) |
Hong Kong:IIB |
Netherlands:AL |
Portugal:M/12 |
Sweden:7 |
Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) |
Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) |
UK:15 |
USA:R
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Larry Hagman's appearance at the political rally was kept a secret from the extras in the crowd. The reaction when he walks on stage is genuine. However, Hagman was recovering from a broken rib at the time and was in great discomfort so was unable to really enjoy the moment.
more
Goofs:
Continuity: Near the beginning of the film, Stanton's tie is back to front, but in the next shot it's round the right way.
more
Quotes:
Susan Stanton:
That's how history is made, Henry - by the first-timers.
more
Movie Connections:
Spoofs Dirty Harry (1971)
more
Soundtrack:
PLEASE, MR. PLEASE
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (144 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Primary Colors (1998) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Choose Connor | All the King's Men | Notes on a Scandal | Citizen Kane | All the King's Men |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb France section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |













As (I think it was) Yogi Berra said, "It's deja vu all over again!" On this, the weekend after the release of the Starr report, the movie rings so true. Travolta was great in por- traying the manic pathology of Stanton/Clinton.
And of course, Kathy Bates was superb as Libby, who in the end was unable to reconcile her loyalty to Stanton with her loyalty to the truth. If Stanton was flawed by his weakness of the flesh, Libby was flawed by her strength - by her inability to give up the best part of herself to the moral malaise that so pervaded the Stanton candidacy.
How ironic that the film ends with the inauguration ball, with Stanton and wife whirling in triumph across the ballroom floor, without a hint of what was to come... I have seen this film labeled a comedy. I cannot see it as anything other than a tragedy, in the Greek sense - a man who with the best of in- tentions, but whose flaws finally undo him.