Review of Primary Colors (1998) by Susan P — 09 Mar 2008

This adaptation of Joe Klein's tell-all book is dragged down by a less-than-smart script as well as Travolta's performance. At times he is just completely over-the-top, and he also just doesn't manage to convey any real degree of intelligence. He comes across as a dumb, lovable lunk, which, whatever you might think of Bill Clinton, he was definitely not. The man was a Rhodes scholar and does have a few brains between his ears.

Emma Thompson fares better, and Adiran Lester is good in the main role, despite having to stand around and watch everyone else a great deal of the time. I thought the actress who played his girlfriend was terrible--really fake. Billy Bob Thornton is quite good, and settles in by the end of the movie, but his first scene is just so unbelievable (would ANYONE, no matter how sexually clueless, just openly expose themselves while surrounded by dozens of people? I also don't believe that people just randomly burst into song the way they do here. The script often seems forced and unbelievable.

Kathy Bates is the real beating heart of the movie, and does an excellent job. But overall, the whole thing seems rather pale.