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Primary Colors(film)

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Primary Colors
Promotional film poster
Directed byMike Nichols[1]
Screenplay byElaine May
Based onPrimary Colors
byJoe Klein
Produced byMike Nichols
Jonathan Krane
Neil Machlis
Starring
CinematographyMichael Ballhaus
Edited byArthur Schmidt
Music byRy Cooder
Production
company
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • March 20, 1998(1998-03-20)
Running time
143 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$65 million[2]
Box office$52.1 million[3]

Primary Colorsis a 1998 Americancomedy-dramafilm directed byMike Nichols.The screenplay byElaine Maywasadaptedfrom the novelPrimary Colors: A Novel of Politics,aroman à clefabout theBill Clinton 1992 presidential campaign,which was originally published anonymously, but in 1996 was revealed to have been written by journalistJoe Klein,who had been covering Clinton's campaign forNewsweek.[4][5][6]The film starredJohn Travolta,Emma Thompson,Billy Bob Thornton,Kathy Bates,Maura Tierney,Larry Hagman,andAdrian Lester.

It was critically acclaimed but abox office bomb,earning $52 million from a $65 million budget. Bates was nominated for anAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actressfor her performance, and May was nominated for anAcademy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Plot[edit]

Henry Burton, a young political idealist and grandson of a civil rights leader, is recruited to join the campaign of Jack Stanton, a charismatic Southern governor trying to win theDemocratic Partynomination forpresident of the United States.

Henry is impressed by Jack's genuine warmth and empathy. He joins the governor's inner circle of political advisers: Jack's formidable wife, Susan Stanton; unconventional political strategist, Richard Jemmons; intelligent and attractive spokeswoman, Daisy Green; and sly political operator, Howard Ferguson, as they journey toNew Hampshire,the first state to hold apresidential primary.

After Jack completes an impressive debate performance against his rivals, Henry's ex-girlfriend shows up to question the governor about his arrest for an anti-war protest at the1968 Democratic Conventionin Chicago. Jack called a U.S. senator to help him get released, then persuaded the mayor of Chicago to have his police record expunged. The team becomes worried that Jack's past indiscretions may be used against him by the press and his opponents.

The Stantons hire old friend tough but unbalanced Libby Holden, who investigates allegations, including Jack's notorious womanizing, that could be used by opponents to undermine him. One of these women, also Susan's hairdresser, Cashmere McLeod, produces secret taped conversations between the governor and her, showing they had an affair. Henry discovers the tapes have been doctored, so Libby tracks down the man responsible, forcing him at gunpoint to confess his guilt in a letter to the American public.

The campaign is then rocked by a fresh allegation when Jack's old friend, "Fat Willie" McCollister approaches Henry to tell him that his 17-year-old daughter Loretta, who worked for the Stantons as a babysitter, is pregnant and that Jack is the father. Henry and Howard tell Willie he must allow his daughter to undergo anamniocentesisto determine paternity. Although they persuade Willie to remain silent, Henry is sickened.

Realizing Jack is falling behind in the polls, his team adopt an offensive strategy, attacking his nearest rival, Senator Harris, for casting anti-Israelvotes and favoring cuts inSocial SecurityandMedicare.Harris confronts Jack during a radio talk show in Florida but suffers two heart attacks during the encounter. This medical setback causes his withdrawal from the race. He is replaced by his friend, former Florida governor Fred Picker. His wholesome, straight-talking image is an immediate threat to Stanton's campaign.

Jack and Susan send Henry and Libby on anopposition researchmission into Picker's past. They discover he had acocaineaddiction as governor, which led to the disintegration of his first marriage. They also meet with Picker's cocaine supplier, whom Picker had ahomosexualaffair with.

Not expecting the information to ever be used, Libby and Henry share the findings with Jack and Susan, but are dismayed when they decide to leak them to the press. Libby says, if Jack does so, she will reveal he tampered with the paternity test results which showed that he had slept with Willie's daughter. Libby commits suicide when realizing she spent her life idealizing Jack and Susan only to learn how flawed they truly are.

Racked with guilt over Libby's death, Jack and Henry take the incriminating information to Picker, and apologize for seeking it out. Picker admits to his past indiscretions, deciding to withdraw from the race and endorse Jack. Henry intends to quit the campaign, as he has become deeply disillusioned with the political process. Jack begs Henry to reconsider, saying they can make history.

Months later, President Jack Stanton is dancing at the inaugural ball withfirst lady,Susan. He shakes the hands of his campaign staff, the last of whom is Henry.

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

Following the publication of the book in 1996, director Mike Nichols paid more than $1 million for the screen rights.[7]The film was scripted by writer and director Elaine May, who had collaborated with Nichols in acomedy double-actin the 1950s and 60s.[8]Tom Hanksexpressed interest in the project but was busy working onSaving Private Ryanand executive-producingFrom the Earth to the MoonforHBO,so recommended Nichols go ahead and cast someone else.[9] At theCannes Festival,Thompson said she did not base her performance onHillary Clinton,while Travolta said he based his on several presidents, but mostly onBill Clinton.[1]

Nichols was criticized for cutting an interracial love scene between Henry and Susan Stanton from the final version of the film. He responded that he had removed the scene because of unfavorable reactions from a preview audience.[1]The film also generated controversy for its depiction of a Clinton-like character as it was also released close to theLewinsky scandal.[4][10][11][12][13]

Reception[edit]

The film received a positive reception from critics.Variety's reviewer called it a "film à clef"and said that the American public was likely to accept it as a factual account because it so closely mirrored real life characters and events.[14]TheLos Angeles Timesgave high marks to the movie, noting Travolta's close mirroring ofBill Clinton,but describing Thompson's character as actually not based onHillary Clinton.[15]Entertainment Weeklycalled Travolta "Clintonian".[16]The Cincinnati Enquirergave accolades to the character portrayals of Bill and Hillary Clinton.[17]Syndicated reviewerRoger Ebertsaid that the film was "insightful and very wise about the realities of political life"[18]andThe Cincinnati Enquirersaid the film was a "nuanced dissection of how real American politics work".[17]andGene Shaliton theToday Showcalled the film an absolute spectacle.

In a negative review, Jeff Vice of theDeseret Newswrote that the last half of the film dragged, Travolta's performance seemed more like an impersonation than actual acting, the film lacked subtlety or depth, and it was loaded with cheap and obvious jokes. Nevertheless, Vice wrote that "solid support is provided by Maura Tierney, Larry Hagman, and Stacy Edwards".[19]

OnRotten Tomatoes,the film has an approval rating of 81% based on 79 reviews, with an average rating of 7.30/10. The site's critics' consensus reads: "Well acted and surprisingly funny."[20]OnMetacriticit has a score of 70% based on reviews from 30 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[21]Audiences surveyed byCinemaScoregave the film a grade "B" on scale of A to F.[22]

Box office[edit]

The film earned a disappointing box office gross,[23][24]only taking $39 million domestically and $13 million in foreign markets, for a worldwide total gross of $52 million against a budget of $65 million.[3]

Accolades[edit]

Award Category Recipient(s) Result
Academy Awards[25] Best Supporting Actress Kathy Bates Nominated
Best Screenplay – Based on Material Previously Produced or Published Elaine May Nominated
American Comedy Awards Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role) Emma Thompson Nominated
Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Kathy Bates Won
Artios Awards[26] Best Casting for Feature Film – Drama Juliet Taylor,Ellen Lewis and Juel Bestrop Nominated
Awards Circuit Community Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role Kathy Bates Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay Elaine May Nominated
Best Cast Ensemble Nominated
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Best Actress – Drama Emma Thompson Nominated
Best Supporting Actress – Drama Kathy Bates Won
British Academy Film Awards[27] Best Actress in a Supporting Role Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay Elaine May Won
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards[28] Best Supporting Actress Kathy Bates Won
Most Promising Actor Adrian Lester Nominated
Chlotrudis Awards Best Supporting Actress Kathy Bates Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards[29] Best Supporting Actor Billy Bob Thornton(also forA Simple Plan) Won
Best Supporting Actress Kathy Bates Won[a]
European Film Awards World Cinema Award Emma Thompson Nominated
Golden Globe Awards[30] Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy John Travolta Nominated
Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture Kathy Bates Nominated
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards[31] Best Supporting Actress Won
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards[32] Best Supporting Actress Runner-up
Online Film & Television Association Awards[33] Best Comedy/Musical Picture Mike Nichols Nominated
Best Comedy/Musical Actor John Travolta Nominated
Best Comedy/Musical Actress Kathy Bates Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Won
Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium Elaine May Nominated
Best Casting Juliet Taylor, Ellen Lewis and Juel Bestrop Nominated
Best Comedy/Musical Score Ry CooderandCarly Simon Nominated
Best Comedy/Musical Ensemble Nominated
Online Film Critics Society Awards[34] Best Supporting Actress Kathy Bates Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay Elaine May Nominated
Political Film Society Awards Democracy Nominated
Russian Guild of Film Critics Awards Best Foreign Actress Emma Thompson Nominated
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards Best Supporting Actress Kathy Bates Won
Satellite Awards[35] Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards[36] Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Won
Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards[37] Best Supporting Actress Runner-up
Best Adapted Screenplay Elaine May Runner-up
USC Scripter Awards[38] Elaine May(screenwriter);Joe Klein(author) Nominated
Writers Guild of America Awards[39] Best Screenplay – Based on Material Previously Produced or Published Elaine May Nominated

Home video[edit]

Primary Colorswas released on VHS and DVD in September 1998. It was released onBlu-rayin October 2019. Blu-ray.com gave the transfer a negative review, calling it "a digitally processed mess. Grain is frozen in place, edge enhancement is obvious, clarity struggles, and details are sloppy and indistinct."[40]

Soundtrack[edit]

The soundtrack album, featuring music by and produced byRy Cooder,was released in March 1998.[41][42]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^Tied withJoan AllenforPleasantville.

References[edit]

  1. ^abcDavid Lister (May 14, 1998)."Travolta reveals Clinton's prime sense of humour".Independent.Archivedfrom the original on January 13, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 24,2011.
  2. ^Bernard Weinraub (March 23, 1998)."Don't You Wish You Could Get Buttered Popcorn in Civics Class?".The New York Times.RetrievedJanuary 24,2011.[dead link]
  3. ^ab"Primary Colors".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-01-31.Retrieved2011-06-29.
  4. ^abDavid Lauter (March 15, 1998)."What the Movie Gets —and What It Doesn't".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on March 9, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 24,2011.
  5. ^Faye Fiore (March 2, 1998)."Just What He Didn't Need Right Now; Movies: Will 'Primary Colors,' a thinly veiled slice of presidential life, hurt or help Bill Clinton?".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on November 4, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 24,2011.
  6. ^Columnist's Mea Culpa: I'm AnonymousArchived2011-03-13 at theWayback Machine,Doreen Carvajal,The New York Times,July 18, 1996
  7. ^Richard K. Thompson (April 1996)."Primary Colors: A Nover of Politics".Contemporary Review.Archivedfrom the original on December 2, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 25,2011.
  8. ^Kashner, Sam (20 December 2012)."Who's Afraid Of Nichols & May?".Vanity Fair.Archivedfrom the original on 8 June 2016.Retrieved5 June2016.
  9. ^Cindy Pearlman (October 4, 1996)."Tom Hanks is too busy forPrimary Colors".Entertainment Weekly.
  10. ^Mark Saylor (May 16, 1998)."With Its American Themes, Can 'Primary Colors' Cash in Abroad?".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on November 4, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 24,2011.
  11. ^Patrick Goldstein (March 15, 1998)."They All Have a Secret".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on November 4, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 24,2011.
  12. ^Richard Corliss and Jeffrey Ressner (March 16, 1998). "Cinema: True Colors".Time.
  13. ^Eric Pooley (March 16, 1998)."Cinema: Tale Of Two Bills".Time.Archived fromthe originalon January 29, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 24,2011.
  14. ^Todd McCarthy (March 12, 1998)."Primary Colors".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 24,2011.
  15. ^Kenneth Turan (March 20, 1998)."Inspired Insinuation".The Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on November 5, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 24,2011.
  16. ^Lisa Schwarzbaum (March 27, 1998)."Primary Colors".Entertainment Weekly. Archived fromthe originalon October 20, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 24,2011.
  17. ^abMargaret A. McGurk (1998)."Primary by a landslide".The Cincinnati Enquirer.Archivedfrom the original on July 24, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 24,2011.
  18. ^Roger Ebert(March 20, 1998)."Primary Colors".Chicago Sun Times.Archived fromthe originalon October 11, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 24,2021.
  19. ^Jeff Vice (March 20, 1998)."Primary Colors".Deseret News.Archivedfrom the original on October 22, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 24,2011.
  20. ^"Primary Colors (1998)".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango.Archivedfrom the original on May 1, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 24,2021.
  21. ^"Primary Colors".Metacritic.Retrieved2021-01-01.
  22. ^"PRIMARY COLORS (1998) B".CinemaScore.Archived fromthe originalon 2018-12-20.
  23. ^Robin Rauzi (March 30, 1998)."'Grease' Beats 'Primary' but Doesn't Rock the Boat; Box office: Revived musical enjoys a $13-million opening, but Oscar-winner 'Titanic' is No. 1 for the 15th straight weekend ".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on July 27, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 24,2011.
  24. ^Robert W. Welkos (March 31, 1998)."Travolta Films Tail 'Titanic'".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on November 4, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 24,2011.
  25. ^"The 71st Academy Awards (1999) Nominees and Winners".Oscars.org.Retrieved19 November2011.
  26. ^"Nominees/Winners".Casting Society of America.RetrievedJuly 10,2019.
  27. ^"BAFTA Awards: Film in 1999".BAFTA.1999.Retrieved16 September2016.
  28. ^"1988-2013 Award Winner Archives".Chicago Film Critics Association.January 2013.RetrievedAugust 24,2021.
  29. ^"The BFCA Critics' Choice Awards:: 1998".Broadcast Film Critics Association.Archived fromthe originalon December 12, 2008.
  30. ^"Primary Colors – Golden Globes".HFPA.RetrievedJuly 5,2021.
  31. ^"Previous Sierra Award Winners".lvfcs.org.RetrievedMay 15,2021.
  32. ^"The 24th Annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards".Los Angeles Film Critics Association.RetrievedJuly 5,2021.
  33. ^"3rd Annual Film Awards (1998)".Online Film & Television Association.RetrievedMay 15,2021.
  34. ^"1998 Awards (2nd Annual)".Online Film Critics Society.3 January 2012.RetrievedNovember 21,2021.
  35. ^"International Press Academy website – 1999 3rd Annual SATELLITE Awards".Archived fromthe originalon 1 February 2008.
  36. ^"The 5th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards: Nominees and Recipients".Screen Actors Guild.1999.Retrieved16 September2016.
  37. ^"1998 SEFA Awards".sefca.net.RetrievedMay 15,2021.
  38. ^"Past Scripter Awards".USC Scripter Award.RetrievedNovember 8,2021.
  39. ^"WGA Awards: Previous Nominees and Winners".Writers Guild of America Award.1999. Archived fromthe originalon 7 March 2016.Retrieved16 September2016.
  40. ^"Primary Colors Blu-ray".Archivedfrom the original on 2019-10-11.Retrieved2019-10-11.
  41. ^Billboard - 28 Mar 1998 - Page 55 "VARIOUS ARTISTS Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack Primary Colors; Music By Ry Cooder"
  42. ^Holger Petersen - Talking Music - 2011 -Page 296 "Movie soundtracks, however, kept him creative, at home, and paying the bills.... That led to Wim Wenders (Paris, Texas; Buena Vista Social Club), Louis Malle (Alamo Bay), and Mike Nichols (Primary Colors) asking him to soundtrack their films"

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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