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Primary Colors

1998·Movie
2h 23min·R

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Primary Colors fingerprint

Funny, strong craft.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Fast Pace6
  • Tension5
  • Spectacle5

Heart

Moving

Much of it is about family.

  • Pathos7
  • Family Dynamics7
  • Romance6

Humor

Plenty of satire and sharp wit

  • Satire & Parody8
  • Wit & Wordplay7
  • Situational Comedy6

World

Politics, everyday modern life, and society

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • World Immersion8
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances, dialogue, and characters

  • Acting8
  • Dialogue Quality8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

What went down on the way to the top.

In this adaptation of the best-selling roman à clef about Bill Clinton's 1992 run for the White House, the young and gifted Henry Burton is tapped to oversee the presidential campaign of Governor Jack Stanton. Burton is pulled into the politician's colorful world and looks on as Stanton -- who has a wandering eye that could be his downfall -- contends with his ambitious wife, Susan, and an outspoken adviser, Richard Jemmons.
Political SatireCampaign DramaCharacter-Driven90s NostalgiaScandal & IntrigueSharp DialogueEnsemble CastBased on Novel

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Primary Colors

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Primary Colors legally?

You can watch it free with ads on YouTube Free. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Primary Colors worth watching?

71
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 72/100 (IMDb 6.7, Rotten Tomatoes 80%, and Metacritic 70). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Primary Colors rated?

RSexual contentStrong language

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: sexual content and strong language.

How long is Primary Colors?

2 h 23 min

Primary Colors runs 2 h 23 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Primary Colors?

Critics75
Audiences70

Yes. Critics average 75 and audiences 70 out of 100, so both groups see Primary Colors much the same way.

Was Primary Colors a box office hit?

Budget$65 million
Box office$52 million

No. It cost about $65 million to make and earned $52 million worldwide, 80% of its budget.

What language is Primary Colors in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in France, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, United States.

In how many countries can I watch Primary Colors?

24ATAUBGCACHDEDKEEFIFRGBGRISJP+10

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Primary Colors in 24 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Primary Colors use?

Not So Stoic20 Minutes into the PastThe Film of the BookSupporting ProtagonistAlcohol-Induced BisexualityDouble StandardGrey-and-Gray MoralityI Did What I Had to DoBrutal HonestyShout-OutNo Celebrities Were HarmedWhat You Are in the Darkand 4 more

TV Tropes lists 16 storytelling tropes for Primary Colors, including Not So Stoic, 20 Minutes into the Past, The Film of the Book.