Some films can be ruined by unfortunate timing. And timing can be extremely unfortunate when the film is released during real life events that are similar but more interesting than fiction on screen. To make things even more ironic, sometimes such films can be initially based on real life, like in the case of Primary Colors, 1998 political drama directed by Mike Nichols. The plot is based on the eponymous best-selling roman à clef, anonymously written by Ron Klein, Newsweek reporter who had covered 1992 presidential campaign of Bill Clinton. The plot begins in late 1991 when Clinton’s fictional counterpart Jack Stanton (played by John Travolta), populist governor of a Southern state, begins his efforts to secure presidential nomination of Democratic Party. Stanton is relatively unknown and initially considered underdog among other candidates and even the protagonist Henry Burton (played by Adrian Lester), grandfather of highly respected black civil right activist, is at first sceptical towards him. He nevertheless joins his campaign team and gradually becomes pleasantly surprised with Stanton’s ability to win ordinary people and, as times goes by, becomes his genuine supporter. Stanton’s experienced political strategist Richard Jemmons (played by Billy Bob Thornton) is much more pragmatic and knows that good intentions in politics mean little without ability to confront some prosaic challenges. In case of Stanton it is his inability to temper his womanising ways, which threatens to nip his campaign in the bud. When rumours about extramarital affair escalate, Stanton’s team resorts to hiring Libby Holden (played by Kathy Bates), former associate specialised for digging dirt and ruining credibility of anyone that might accuse the governor. Further problem for campaign is surprise entry of former Florida governor Fred Picker (played by Larry Hagman) into the race and whose sudden rise in polls is even bigger danger for Stanton that his own scandals. Stanton’s staff begin to dig dirt on Picker in a way that make idealistic Burton question whether Stanton is what country really needs or just another Machiavellian politician willing to betray noble ideals for the sake of short term political gain.
It looked like Primary Colors could be a big hit and even its timing at first looked fortunate, because the release coincided with the first months of the major sex scandal involving Clinton and his staffer Monica Lewinsky. The audience also might have been intrigued by the way how would Hollywood in 1990s would treat sitting President. On a strictly technical level, Primary Colors is a solid film. Mike Nichols, although usually overrated director who was always more comfortable at theatre than on big screen, handles material in adequate manner, using long dialogues instead of action in order to advance the plot. His efforts are, however, overshadowed by cast, many of whom would deliver interesting portrayals of characters that stand in for real life people. John Travolta is most impressive in his effort to mimic Clinton, trying to embody the President not only in his speech patterns, but also his looks. Emma Thompson is also quite impressive as fictional version of Hillary Clinton, just as Billy Bob Thornton is effective as fictional version of Clinton’s famed strategist James Carville.
While critics liked the film, audience ignored it. This could be best explained with Monica Lewinsky story being more salacious than film’s plot and, unlike the film, in which anyone had the basic idea about ending based on real history, the story unfolding in 1998 had unknown finale. Those who watched the film, on the other hand, also noticed that Nichols, like in so much of his films, had problems with establishing proper tone between humour and serious drama. The worst thing about Primary Colors is, however, that the film unapologetically serves as Clinton’s propaganda. Unlike the novel, which took more cynical approach, the script by Elaine May takes depicts Stanton as someone whose personal imperfection should be ignored if it stands in the way of attaining the greater good, in order words replacing Republicans in White House and helping the ordinary people whose interests he is supposed to represent. Hollywood, which was never shy about its fondness for Clinton and promoting his politics, provides in Primary Colors the template for apologetic view of Clinton’s presidency that would be used during the scandal and afterwards. The film thus gives good insight in the mindset of opinion makers and other influential people that, for better or worse, have shaped US politics and world affairs in subsequent decades. But because of its lack of subtlety and surprising simplistic world view, Primary Colors fails as entertainment.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/ Leofinance blog https://leofinance.io/@drax.leo
Unstoppable Domains: https://unstoppabledomains.com/?ref=3fc23fc42c1b417 Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax Bitcoin Lightning HIVE donations: https://v4v.app/v1/lnurlp/qrcode/drax Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax 1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e
BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7
