Primary Colors (1998)

An engaging political drama directed by Mike Nichols, with plenty of comic moments. John Travolta plays a governor with presidential ambitions. Emma Thompson (with an American accent) plays his wife. And Adrian Lester plays the campaign manager, who tries to hold true to his idealism despite repeated incidents in which he needs to cover up for the governor’s reported transgressions. 

There’s a lot of dialogue, which gives the film extra richness, and it skilfully explores the relationships between the key characters. It’s not surprising to learn that it was adapted from Joe Klein’s loosely fictionalised account of the 1992 Bill Clinton presidential campaign. Emma Thompson even looks a little like Hilary Clinton at times.

Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates and Larry Hagman all co-star, and all are at their best.