Directed by:
Mike NicholsScreenplay:
Elaine MayCinematography:
Michael BallhausComposer:
Ry CooderCast:
John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Adrian Lester, Maura Tierney, Larry Hagman, Diane Ladd, Paul Guilfoyle, Caroline Aaron (more)Plots(1)
In Mike Nichols's PRIMARY COLORS, America's topsy-turvy political process is viewed through the eyes of Henry Burton (Adrian Lester), an idealistic young man who is seduced into managing the presidential campaign of slick southern governor Jack Stanton (John Travolta). The mesmerized Burton immediately sets up campaign headquarters and meets his new political family: Susan Stanton (Emma Thompson), Jack's wife and partner; Richard Jemmons (Billy Bob Thornton), the sly, improbable political strategist who proudly describes himself as a redneck; Libby Holden (Kathy Bates), the fanatically loyal, overtly lesbian campaign troubleshooter who always has a big mouth and occasionally carries a big gun to match; and Daisy (Maura Tierney), the young, smart, and looking-for-love campaign media adviser. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
![John Travolta](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/544/162544399_12855e.jpg)
John Travolta
USA
Best movies:
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Michael Jackson: HIStory on Film - Volume II (1997) (video compilation)
Grease (1978)
![Emma Thompson](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/679/163679060_587380.jpg)
Emma Thompson
UK
Best movies:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Love Actually (2003)
In the Name of the Father (1993)
![Billy Bob Thornton](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/166/522/166522531_9d76a6.jpg)
Billy Bob Thornton
USA
Best movies:
Love Actually (2003)
Sling Blade (1996)
Dead Man (1995)
![Kathy Bates](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/034/161034996_43b22d.jpg)
Kathy Bates
USA
Best movies:
Titanic (1997)
Misery (1990)
High Stakes (1989)
![Adrian Lester](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/342/163342926_b9ee29.jpg)
Adrian Lester
UK
Best movies:
Born Romantic (2000)
Dust (2001)
As You Like It (2006)
![Maura Tierney](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/416/162416496_2b3117.jpg)
Maura Tierney
USA
Best movies:
Primal Fear (1996)
Insomnia (2002)
The Iron Claw (2023)
![Larry Hagman](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/270/270629_5a8fc8.jpg)
Larry Hagman
USA
Best movies:
Fail-Safe (1964)
The Eagle Has Landed (1976)
Superman (1978)
![Diane Ladd](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/267/267562_d40825.jpg)
Diane Ladd
USA
Best movies:
The World's Fastest Indian (2005)
Chinatown (1974)
Christmas Vacation (1989)
![Paul Guilfoyle](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/270/270808_5f701e.jpg)
Paul Guilfoyle
USA
Best movies:
L.A. Confidential (1997)
Spotlight (2015)
The Negotiator (1998)
![Caroline Aaron](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/274/274894_8651fb.jpg)
Caroline Aaron
USA
Best movies:
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
Husbands and Wives (1992)
![Rob Reiner](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/269/269709_27b67f.jpg)
Rob Reiner
USA
Best movies:
Barbra: The Concert (1994) (concert)
Misery (1990)
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
![Allison Janney](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/316/164316270_ac0840.jpg)
Allison Janney
USA
Best movies:
American Beauty (1999)
The Help (2011)
Finding Nemo (2003)
![Mykelti Williamson](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/268/268874_cd8e31.jpg)
Mykelti Williamson
USA
Best movies:
Forrest Gump (1994)
Heat (1995)
12 Angry Men (1997) (TV movie)
![Kevin Cooney](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/273/273343_6123c2.jpg)
Kevin Cooney
USA
Best movies:
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Dead Man Walking (1995)
Seven Pounds (2008)
![Tony Shalhoub](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/168/462/168462726_snydtj.jpg)
Tony Shalhoub
USA
Best movies:
Gattaca (1997)
Cars (2006)
The Man Who Wasn't There (2001)
![Stacy Edwards](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/272/272565_b3d1a0.jpg)
Stacy Edwards
USA
Best movies:
Superbad (2007)
Perfect Couple (1998)
In the Company of Men (1997)
![Gia Carides](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/274/274051_d7d5f1.jpg)
Gia Carides
Australia
Best movies:
Phar Lap (1983)
Annie's Coming Out (1984)
Strictly Ballroom (1992)
![James Earl Jones](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/126/164126946_5cf9a9.png)
James Earl Jones
USA
Best movies:
The Simpsons.com (2000) (video compilation)
Dangerous: The Short Films (1993) (video compilation)
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
![James Denton](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/276/276630_79342f.jpg)
James Denton
USA
Best movies:
Face Off (1997)
Dark Skies (1996) (series)
Ally McBeal (1997) (series)
![Lu Elrod](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/278/278541_8a3d53.jpg)
Lu Elrod
Best movies:
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Freaky Friday (2003)
Wag the Dog (1997)