Primary Colors, which came out in 1998, is a political film unlike any other. It appears to be self aware of the political situation in modern United States politics. It both pokes fun at American politics and sheds light on real unnerving problems. It also poses a battle between political power and human morals. The film, like other films we've viewed this semester, places the viewer in a dilemma where they must decide what is more important.
The film came out in 1998. During this time Bill Clinton was president and the Monica Lewinski scandal is just starting to surface in the media. Up until this point Bill Clinton, having been recently re-elected, was for the most part a celebrated president. The United States was enjoying a time of peace. The only real problem the country was facing was a slight recession. However, the sex scandal in the white house shook the American citizens to the core. Suddenly a politician that appeared to be trustworthy was dishonest. The American citizens didn't know whom they could trust in politics. Clinton was impeached but was acquitted. Primary Colors' character Jack Stanton, played by John Travolta, is an obvious interpretation of Bill Clinton.
Primary Colors decides to show both sides of the political process during the primary races. It shows that campaigning is just about the people as it is about destroying your competitor. This is done by either hiding your own implicating material or uncovering material that may be implicating to the competitor. This film shows the political primary races as a ruthless and morally absent competition to eliminate contenders. Fairness does not seem to enter in to this competition because the politicians in this film seem to be more preoccupied by sabotaging their competitors campaign rather than create credible political strategies. Jack Stanton's character has quite a bit going against him during his race. He is faced with a false accusation of having an affair with a hairdresser. Also, implications arise in the media that he was a draft dodger and had arrests covered up. Even a protagonist is not 100% honest in this political world that the movie has created.
The film decides to make itself "real" by presenting real life political problems. Perhaps this was done to show the audience that the message the film is conveying is in fact a truthful one. The scene where Jack is addressing the factory workers is a good example of this. Stanton states that he cannot fix the factory workers situation because companies will always export jobs to cheaper countries. He takes an honest approach so he can focus on his primary political stance of education. This technique is rarely seen by politicians in real life as some would rather lie to get votes.
Primary Colors main battle is between political power and morals. Jack Stanton prides himself on being fair and honest, and this creates a good protagonist. The character conflict arises when he is pulled into a dirty political fight where his character's morality is tested. He decides to fight dirty by digging up implicating material. The moral representative in the film then shifts to the Libby Holden character. She believes, as Jack used to, that campaigning should just be about political stances rather than hurting competitors. Jack decides to use reason by saying if he doesn't use the implicating material then someone else will. This places the viewer in a dilemma where they must decide what is right to themselves. In a way the Henry character is an outlet that the audience can side with.
In the end Jack Stanton decides to take the middle route by alerting the competitor of the material and not going to the media. The film shows that politicians are not perfect people; in fact they are from it. Most of them have made mistakes; some are just more honest than others. Perhaps it is just better to focus on their political stances and agendas rather than focus on their past mistakes.
The film came out in 1998. During this time Bill Clinton was president and the Monica Lewinski scandal is just starting to surface in the media. Up until this point Bill Clinton, having been recently re-elected, was for the most part a celebrated president. The United States was enjoying a time of peace. The only real problem the country was facing was a slight recession. However, the sex scandal in the white house shook the American citizens to the core. Suddenly a politician that appeared to be trustworthy was dishonest. The American citizens didn't know whom they could trust in politics. Clinton was impeached but was acquitted. Primary Colors' character Jack Stanton, played by John Travolta, is an obvious interpretation of Bill Clinton.
Primary Colors decides to show both sides of the political process during the primary races. It shows that campaigning is just about the people as it is about destroying your competitor. This is done by either hiding your own implicating material or uncovering material that may be implicating to the competitor. This film shows the political primary races as a ruthless and morally absent competition to eliminate contenders. Fairness does not seem to enter in to this competition because the politicians in this film seem to be more preoccupied by sabotaging their competitors campaign rather than create credible political strategies. Jack Stanton's character has quite a bit going against him during his race. He is faced with a false accusation of having an affair with a hairdresser. Also, implications arise in the media that he was a draft dodger and had arrests covered up. Even a protagonist is not 100% honest in this political world that the movie has created.
The film decides to make itself "real" by presenting real life political problems. Perhaps this was done to show the audience that the message the film is conveying is in fact a truthful one. The scene where Jack is addressing the factory workers is a good example of this. Stanton states that he cannot fix the factory workers situation because companies will always export jobs to cheaper countries. He takes an honest approach so he can focus on his primary political stance of education. This technique is rarely seen by politicians in real life as some would rather lie to get votes.
Primary Colors main battle is between political power and morals. Jack Stanton prides himself on being fair and honest, and this creates a good protagonist. The character conflict arises when he is pulled into a dirty political fight where his character's morality is tested. He decides to fight dirty by digging up implicating material. The moral representative in the film then shifts to the Libby Holden character. She believes, as Jack used to, that campaigning should just be about political stances rather than hurting competitors. Jack decides to use reason by saying if he doesn't use the implicating material then someone else will. This places the viewer in a dilemma where they must decide what is right to themselves. In a way the Henry character is an outlet that the audience can side with.
In the end Jack Stanton decides to take the middle route by alerting the competitor of the material and not going to the media. The film shows that politicians are not perfect people; in fact they are from it. Most of them have made mistakes; some are just more honest than others. Perhaps it is just better to focus on their political stances and agendas rather than focus on their past mistakes.