Primary Colors

Henry Burton, a bright but idealistic political consultant, is recruited to steer the presidential bid of governor Jack Stanton. He finds himself drawn into a whirlwind of rallies, backroom deals, and media scrutiny as the campaign climbs toward the White House. Stanton exudes charm and appetite for power, while his personal life becomes a newsroom drama, complicated by his wife Susan and the blunt adviser Richard Jemmons. As Burton watches the shifting loyalties and tactics that fuel the race, he must decide how far he will bend his own principles to win. The story is a satirical yet human look at a modern political ascent. The campaign scenes blend wit with moral ambiguity, inviting questions about victory for everyone watching.

Directed by Mike Nichols, Primary Colors adapts Elaine May and Joe Klein's roman a clef. The 1998 drama with Travolta Thompson and Thornton offers a brisk satirical look at a political bid and the people who run it, including performances.

With its roman a clef premise and star cast, the film became a late 90s political cinema touchstone, offering a witty insider take on campaigns. It helped set the tone for later satirical dramas and sparked conversations about ethics and power. Its visual style and pacing reinforce the brisk critique.

Critics praised the performances especially Travolta and Thompson and Nichols direction, while some noted the film wears its politics on the sleeve. The movie examines ambition, media manipulation, and personal compromise in the crash of public life, showing how lives collide with the race for legitimacy. It remains widely discussed.

Box office figures are not included in the provided information; if you want, I can pull domestic and international grosses for reference. This helps place the film within Mike Nichols' body of work and 1990s political cinema for audiences today.