The Faking Of The President 1998

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Nichols concurs. "I love this movie," he says. "It's good, it's funny, it's emotional. And that's going to have to be good enough while all this s--- goes flying past us."

There are signs of hope for Primary Colors. For one thing, the all-Lewinsky-all-the-time news coverage has certainly increased awareness of the film, even if it's not the sort of awareness Nichols & Co. were hoping for. And the testing cards from preview screenings--held both before and after Monica took the spotlight--look promising too. "My favorite response was 'Hilarious, very well observed, touching--reminds me of the Clintons,'" says Nichols. "People seem able to separate the film from reality."

One viewer, though, may have a particularly tough time pulling that off. "I think it'll be hard for Clinton to watch," says former White House spokesperson Dee Dee Myers, who attended a Universal screening last month (and who turned down an offer to consult on the movie). "I don't think he'll find it particularly flattering. The book certainly wasn't perceived as positive. There was furious speculation at the White House about who wrote it when it came out. A lot of people were accused."

"There's a scene in a doughnut shop," disagrees Travolta, referring to a moment in the film when Stanton spends an evening commiserating with a down-and-out Krispy Kreme employee. "I don't care how you feel about the rest of the movie, but if I were [Clinton] watching that, I would want to be identified with that character. I think the movie loves him a lot."

"I sort of see the character as being like Margo Channing in All About Eve," summarizes Nichols. "He's this dazzling star that comes whirling in and out. He's balanced, a pendulum, swinging back and forth, from something remarkable to something regrettable. He's human."

Alas, we'll probably never know what grade Clinton would give the film. There are no plans for a White House screening any time soon.

Originally posted Mar 27, 1998 Published in issue #424 Mar 27, 1998 Order article reprints

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News Article Favorite fictional presidents: Jack Stanton
Movie Article Tom Hanks is too busy for ''Primary Colors''
Movie Article John Travolta hits pay dirt
Movie Article ''Primary Colors'' is looking for a new star
Book Article ''Primary Colors'' reminds us of Watergate

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