CLICK ON CAROLINE. Dear Caroline Film Reviews at http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Studio/7066
PRIMARY COLORS
Dear Caroline --
It almost seems appropriate that the much-anticipated political flick "Primary Colors" is as two-faced as its main character, Gov. Jack Stanton played by John Travolta. Based on the best-selling book by Newsweek editor Joe Klein, aka Anonymous, "Primary Colors" follows the eerie parallels of the Clinton 1992 Presidential campaign. Travolta really is a look-alike, sound-alike to President Bill Clinton, right down to the home-spun stories, jogging suits and appetite for women and food. In fact, where ever Stanton is seen, there is something to eat. In the course of this movie, Stanton has eaten barbequed ribs, fried chicken, donuts, apple fritters and Chinese food. The first half of "Primary Colors" is a wonderful, humor-filled political satire that rivals Tim Robbins' "Bob Roberts," one of the best movies of 1992 that nobody went to see. When Stanton is accused of an unforgivable sex act, "Primary Colors" makes a wrong turn near Albuquerque that takes the film in an unexpected direction that it is not completely able to recover from. The first half may follow closely to Clinton's first presidential campaign, but the second half is quite fictional. "Primary Colors" uneasily turns from comedic satire to moody drama. There is not a single laugh in the film's second half. Frank Capra's classic "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" can pull off the adjustment from satire to moody drama. Its ending, when Jimmy Stewart's Smith nearly becomes a beaten man, is as dark as any other Capra film. I know Jimmy Stewart (figuratively) and Travolta is no Jimmy Stewart. It appears director Mike Nichols ("The Birdcage") and screenwriter Elaine May wanted to have it both ways. The former University of Chicago comedy partners try to cover all grounds with subplots right out of TV's "Spin City" and final ethical tests similar to what Spencer Tracy faced in Capra's "State of the Union." The satire in "Primary Colors" follows "Bob Roberts," a funny semi-documentary, behind-the-scenes look at a Pennsylvania businessman's run for senator. Jack Stanton and Bob Roberts could feel right at home together as couch potatoes watching college football on the tube. Actually, they are both frauds. They know it. The voters don't. When "Primary Colors" opens, Stanton is a Southern governor from an unnamed state, who is trying to get known in New Hampshire, site of the first presidential primary. Ivy-League trained political advisor Henry Burton (British actor Adrian Lester) is reluctantly brought in to assist. Emma Thompson plays Stanton's wife, Susan, while Billy Bob Thornton is the skilled campaign manager and Kathy Bates steals the show as troubleshooter Libby Holden. Need a scorecard to find the modern parallels? Travolta is Bill Clinton, Thompson is Hillary Rodham Clinton, Lester is George Stephanopoulos, Thornton is James Carville and Bates is advisor Betsy Wright. There is also a Gennifer Flowers look alike, who publicizes her affair with Stanton -- Clinton -- through a popular supermarket tabloid. Bates clearly steals the show in an Oscar-caliber supporting performance as the hired gun brought in to fight off troubling news about Stanton's philandering ways. Bates has mastered the style of the tough-as-nails, cranky boss. One problem with May's script is that we never fully get to know Stanton. Why is he running for president after all, and beyond an adult literacy issue, what else does he stand for? I guess I shouldn't feel so badly that I would rather vote for Kevin Kline's Dave rather than a politician that seems more like the real thing. In 1993, documentary filmmakers D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus released "The War Room," which filmed Clinton's Little Rock campaign headquarters in '92. It's easy to see how Stanton's small staff equalled Clinton's inner sanctum, though "The War Room" is set only a few months after "Primary Colors." "Primary Colors" clocks in at a too-long 2 1/2 hours. Travolta, who seemingly dances in every one of his movies ("Saturday Night Fever," "Grease," "Perfect," "Pulp Fiction," and "Michael") gives his worst dance performance of his career since "Staying Alive." One trivial note: That's former "Dukes of Hazzard" tow truck driver, Rep. Ben Jones, as one of Stanton's campaign advisors. Rating: Two-and-a-half stars
Thinking of you, Geo. M. Wilcox
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