Primary Colors (1998)

“We can do incredible things. We can change this country. I’m gonna win this thing. Look me in the eye, Henry, and tell me that you don’t want to be a part of it. ” – Jack Stanton

Number of Times Seen – at least 3 times (video in 1999, 10 Sep 2008 and 24 Jul 2016)

Brief Synopsis – A fictional account of the Bill Clinton campaign for Presidency in 1992.

My Take on it – Being a fan of Presidential history, I always love watching movies that describe the Presidency and it usually doesn’t matter to me whether they are real or fictional accounts of it all.

This film, which is based on a best selling book gives a great fictional account of the Bill Clinton Presidential campaign in 1992 .

It helps us understand how someone so flawed was able to take the Presidency away from an incumbent and even last for 8 years despite numerous scandals that would have derailed so many other men in that same position.

John Travolta is superb as the charismatic jovial candidate and I liked how he wasn’t the spotlight of the film a t all, but rather was the axis around whom everyone else spun.

The supporting cast was also great and we get some nice performances by everyone involved.

The best tho is Kathy Bates as an unstable campaign “fixer” who must deal with deciding whether information should be used in a campaign or kept a secret because it can possibly smear the opposition?

She was nominated for an Oscar for this role and it really was deserving.

The best thing about this film is that it shows us what politicians really are and that they never lose their goal no matter what.

Bottom Line – Great movie that even now shows how and why Clinton was eventually elected. Travolta is superb as a Clinton-like candidate.  Great supporting cast helps keep this believable. Bates is the standout here because her character is all over the place and it’s not surprising that she was nominated for an Oscar for this role. Reminds everyone what politicians really are and what their goals are. Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Then-President Bill Clinton enjoyed the film so much that he even invited John Travolta to a party, on one condition, he must come as Governor Jack Stanton. Travolta declined. (From IMDB)

Rating – Globe Worthy

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