Primary Colors

Caught this one on BRAVO last night after the OSCARS and found myself quite surprised I hadn't bothered with it sooner. Adapted from the Joe Klein (as Anoymous) novel based on the run to Washington of Bill Clinton, this is yet another film mismarketed. Tagged as a comedy, PRIMARY COLORS is anything but. The performances of Emma Thompson and Kathy Bates (who received the best supporting actress Oscar nod for this role) as two very different women trying to protect their man illustrate this point in spades. Said man is John Travolta in a natural role and look for Larry Hagman in a downright scary portrayal of a former U.S. senator drawn back in to the political fray. Director Mike Nichols who earlier gave us such gems as CATCH-22 and THE GRADUATE and would more recently blow out minds with ANGELS IN AMERICA and CLOSER, uses his deft hand to steer this moraly bankrupt ship to one very shocking conclusion and as this is based on the "true story" the viewer is seriously left wondering....what aren't they telling us!