Primary Colors (1998): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Primary Colors is a 1998 comedy drama directed by Mike Nichols, starring John Travolta, Kathy Bates and Emma Thompson. It runs 2 hours 23 minutes and earned $52.1 million worldwide on a $65 million budget. It won 3 awards from 8 nominations, among them 2 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 70 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 23m (143 min)
- Director
- Mike Nichols
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- Budget
- $65M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Primary Colors About?
The premise of Primary Colors without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A young and idealistic man finds himself unexpectedly managing a presidential campaign, quickly becoming entangled in the intense and often chaotic world of politics. He observes the complexities of his boss, Governor Stanton, as the candidate balances his political ambitions with personal struggles, including an extramarital affair. The governor’s wife and a cynical advisor add further layers of intrigue and challenge the campaign’s carefully constructed image.
Primary Colors Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- politics
- political satire
- idealism
- speech
- secret past
- african american
- investigation
- womanizer
- scandal
- political campaign
- satire
- husband wife relationship
+38 more Show fewer
- cynicism
- disillusionment
- suicide
- based on novel
- philanderer
- pregnant teenager
- profanity
- florida
- sexual misconduct
- tv interview
- sex scandal
- political scandal
- castration threat
- political rivalry
- telephone call
- cell phone
- crying
- guilt
- lesbian
- hypocrisy
- amniocentesis
- adult illiteracy
- former psychiatric patient
- montage
- radio talk show
- president
- governor
- election
- campaign manager
- presidential candidate
- political corruption
- corruption
- president of the united states
- political candidate
- political debate
- politician
- rise to power
- extramarital affair
Primary Colors Cast
John Travolta leads the cast, with Kathy Bates and Emma Thompson. Directed by Mike Nichols; 4 actors are credited in all.
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Director Mike Nichols
More from Mike Nichols
More films directed by Mike Nichols, best-rated first: The Graduate, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Carnal Knowledge and The Birdcage.
Primary Colors Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Primary Colors 70 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 70 Metascore
User score 8.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 63% User score
See on TMDB
Primary Colors Plot Summary
What happens in Primary Colors from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Henry Burton, a young and passionate political idealist, is drawn into the campaign of Jack Stanton, a charismatic Southern governor aiming for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. As the grandson of a civil rights leader, Henry finds himself inspired by Jack’s genuine warmth and empathy.
Joining the governor’s close-knit team of advisors, Henry collaborates with Jack’s strong-willed wife, Susan Stanton, the unconventional strategist Richard Jemmons, and the clever spokeswoman Daisy Green. They embark on a crucial journey to New Hampshire, the first primary state, where Jack hopes to make an impact.
Full summary
The whole story of Primary Colors, scene by scene
Primary Colors Box Office & Budget
Primary Colors grossed $52.1 million worldwide on a $65 million budget, 80% of what it cost. $39 million came from the US and Canada and $13.1 million (25%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$52.1M
80% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $39M
- International
- $13.1M
- Budget
- $65M
Primary Colors Awards & Nominations
Primary Colors won 3 awards from 8 nominations, among them 2 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 1999, with 1 win from 2 nominations.
3 wins8 nominations5 ceremonies
-
BAFTA 1999 1 win · 2 nominations- Won Best Adapted Screenplay – Elaine May
- Nominated Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Kathy Bates
-
Critics' Choice 1999 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Best Supporting Actress – Kathy Bates
-
Actor Awards (SAG) 1999 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role – Kathy Bates
-
Golden Globes 1999 2 nominations- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Actor) – John Travolta
- Nominated Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Musical or Comedy (Supporting Actress) – Kathy Bates
Show all 5 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
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Oscars 1999 2 nominations- Nominated Actress in a Supporting Role – Kathy Bates
- Nominated Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published) – Elaine May
Primary Colors Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Primary Colors Official Trailer #1 - John Travolta Movie (1998) HD
How Well Do You Know Primary Colors?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the main protégé of the renowned civil rights leader in 'Primary Colors'?
Cars in Primary Colors
26 cars on screen, including the 1988 Chevrolet K-1500 and the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe.
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1988 Chevrolet K-1500 Important role -
1997 Chevrolet Tahoe Important role -
1996 Dodge Caravan Important role -
1997 Ford Club Wagon Important role
Primary Colors Also Known As
24 alternative titles, including “I colori della vittoria” and “Colores Primarios”.
- Also known as
-
- I colori della vittoria
- Colores Primarios
- Primary Colors - Mit aller Macht
- Mit aller Macht - Primary Colors
- Segredos do Poder
- Mit aller Macht
- Presidentkandidaten
- Barvy moci
- Όλες οι Γυναίκες του Προέδρου
- צבעי יסוד
- Cum să ajungi președinte
- Couleurs primaires
+12 more Show fewer
- Основные цвета
- Kirli Yarış
- A nemzet színe-java
- Първични цветове
- Päävärit
- Spelets regler
- Barwy kampanii
- 프라이머리 컬러스
- パーフェクト・カップル
- 风起云涌
- Основні кольори
- El Escándalo
Seen Primary Colors?
Movies Like Primary Colors
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Election, The Candidate and True Colors.
Primary Colors FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Primary Colors, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Primary Colors?
Primary Colors runs 2 hours 23 minutes (143 minutes).
When was Primary Colors released?
Primary Colors was released on March 20, 1998.
Who directed Primary Colors?
Primary Colors was directed by Mike Nichols.
More films by Mike Nichols Who is in the cast of Primary Colors?
Primary Colors stars John Travolta, Kathy Bates and Emma Thompson, among 4 credited actors.
How much did Primary Colors make at the box office?
Primary Colors grossed $52.1 million worldwide ($39 million domestic, $13.1 million international) on a budget of $65 million.
How is Primary Colors rated?
Primary Colors has 70 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.
What awards did Primary Colors win?
Primary Colors won 3 awards from 8 nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay at the BAFTA 1999.
Does Primary Colors have a post-credit scene?
No. Primary Colors has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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