When Primary Colors came out in 1998, it suffered from proximity to the book, which was simply brilliant, and because the central characters were inescapably based on a sitting President and his First Lady. Even twenty odd years ago, American politics was polarized to such a degree that half the country saw film and book as an assault on their heroes.
Two decades later, the film has become a masterpiece. Distance and time have reframed this film and it's nothing less than the best political movie of our epoch. Four years of Trump have so dulled our senses that moral dilemmas that seemed remote or arcane in 1998 now seem poignant and terribly relevant. The writing and direction of Elaine May and Mike Nichols glow respectively and the cast is almost as good. Maura Tierney, John Travolta, Emma Thompson and Kathy Bates are perfect, as are the numerous supporting actors. I have reservations about Larry Hagman and most importantly, Adrian Lester. These are casting rather than an acting issues. Lester for me never quite convinces. He's just too English and perhaps this is only an issue for English viewers and I absolutely understand why he got the role. He's almost perfect but that one imperfection is for me the single biggest flaw in what for me is a now near perfect film.
Review of Primary Colors
