Primary Colors

A idealistic, small-time staffer (Adrian Lester) is recruited to join the Presidential campaign of a magnetic Democratic Southern governor (John Travolta) and after witnessing a moving speech on illiteracy at a New York public library, he believes the guy just may be the real deal. Soon he is signed on as campaign manager and finds himself covering up his bosses sexual escapades. When a newcomer (Larry Hagman) unexpectedly enters in the race, he goes on a fact finding mission with a former staff member (Kathy Bates) which will take him to dark, compromising places he never expected to be. Based on a novel by Joe Klein (originally published under Anonymous) detailing Bill Clinton's 1992 Presidential run, Primary Colors is an exemplary political satire. With a funny, adept, and ultimately sorrowful script by Elaine May and sharp direction from Mike Nichols, the film knows its territory and contains deeply invested, humanized characters. Travolta's performance is one of his best, Emma Thompson is excellent as the Hillary cypher, and Bates and Hagman both deliver heartrending performances.