February 1, 2021

Whoo! Welcome to February. I'm behind on my Mlog and Blog. So for a little while I might be writing about books and movies in here until I catch up. 

I watched 11 movies in January - I counted - all rented from Cinefile video. Making that membership worth it, which is good. I'll write a post on Cinefile one of these days. Renting physical DVDs! I love it. 

**SPOILERS**

PRIMARY COLORS

1998

Directed by: Mike Nichols

Written by: Elaine May

Watched: 1/2021

        Primary Colors is a fictionalized version of Bill Clinton's primary campaign in 1991. John Travolta plays Arkansas Governor Jack Stanton, and Emma Thompson plays his wife. We see the action through Henry Burton's POV. He's an idealist and new to the campaign. He and the other staffers have their work cut out for them trying to keep Jack's philandering in the past. When instead of digging dirt on Jack, preventatively, they dig up something big on his opponent, an intense loyal loony staffer (Kathy Bates) kills herself after the Stantons do the wrong thing with it. Later, in her memory, they give the dirt to the opponent himself, and he chooses to drop out. After that, Jack's path to the nomination is clear. 

        There's more than that that happens, obviously. But I don't feel like rehashing it all. It's funny how much crossover there is between this movie and the book Rodham, which makes sense since they're drawing from the same subject matter. It's interesting how these spins and interpretations can break off and flash in these different lights, like a kaleidoscope. 

        We rented this movie in particular because Elaine May wrote the screenplay. (And Mitch and I liked A New Leaf so much.) My favorite line was when... okay, wait first some set up: Jack is gregarious and pleasure seeking. He genuinely likes meeting people, hearing their story, and eating at all the places politicians are supposed to eat. (He's always getting donuts.) On the other hand, Susan is the actual achiever, the strategist. She's the one talking most often with the campaign manager. Okay so, the line -- Jack and Susan sit down with their campaign manager and the son of one of their opponents. The opponent asks Susan if it's okay that they talk politics. Susan nods and says, "Of course. How else will I learn?" Hell yeah, Elaine May. :) 

        A bit about May and Nichols. They performed together in an improvisational double act for a time that was influential and successful. Their early improv troupe, The Compass Players, were a precursor to Second City in Chicago. Although, I'm not sure whether May and Nichols had anything personally to do with opening Second City. The two also did THE BIRDCAGE together in 1996. 

Rating: ★★★