`PRIMARY COLORS' PAINTS WITTY, THOUGHTFUL POLITICAL TALE.

Byline: Bob Strauss Daily News Film Critic

The art follows life follows art ironies surrounding ``Primary Colors'' just keep increasing. Fortunately, director Mike Nichols and writer Elaine May have crafted such a perceptive, protean adaptation of Joe Klein's fictionalized take on the first Clinton presidential campaign that the film stands gloriously on its own, apart from the weekly parade of grand jury leaks and bimbo eruptions.

If ``Colors'' were merely a satire, that wouldn't be the case. After all, how could anybody make up something more absurd than what's really going on? But after we've grinned at John Travolta's uncanny capture of Clinton's mannerisms, the witty re-imagining of actual events and the H.L. Mencken-quality critique of our electoral system, the movie unleashes its gut punches.

For all its sophisticated humor, ``Colors'' is at heart a devastating lament for the way American democracy mutilates idealism, rewards corruption and thrives on lies. That it locates a certain rough, political truth in all of that gives the film a rare, mature sense of grace.

The story is told through the eyes of a savvy young strategist, Henry Burton (British newcomer Adrian Lester). The grandson of a revered civil rights leader, Henry longs for a Democratic candidate who actually could implement some of the progressive programs he supports, not just talk about them.

What Henry gets is Gov. Jack Stanton (Travolta), a dark horse unknown from a small Southern state with a shrewd, empathetic style and a seemingly sincere commitment to society's downtrodden. Henry quickly realizes that Stanton is a facile liar and an incorrigible seducer of both potential bed-partners and constituents, yet he still seems to be the best hope for winning and following through on his promises.

Before he knows it, Henry's riding herd on the governor's colorful but alarmingly strange campaign crew. Susan Stanton (Emma Thompson) immediately emerges as the jealousy-displacing, thinly camouflaged brains of the ambitious couple. Richard Jemmons (Billy Bob Thornton) fulfills the James Carville role of vulgar redneck political savant. Kathy Bates gets the movie's showiest and most poignant part as Libby Holden, the Stantons' flamboyantly butch, effectively nefarious troubleshooter who, convincingly, is driven rather mad by the compromises required to turn her beliefs into policy.

This is not, of course, the real '92 Democratic primary. And even though the Gennifer Flowers and Mario Cuomo stand-ins are easy to spot, more than enough clever, original incidents have been invented to keep the story fresh and add depth to its murky moral waters.

However, some plot turns, especially one concerning a late-entry challenger (Larry Hagman), play a bit contrived. And even though Travolta's impersonation is astonishing, Stanton is nonetheless an overly Bubbafied caricature of Clinton. He's got the well-lubed glibness and near-pathological responsibility avoidance we've come to expect from our chief executive down disconcertingly well, and whenever Stanton loses control, Travolta is truly frightening. But there's little evidence of Clinton's impressive intellect in the performance.

Which isn't necessarily a criticism; it enhances the impression that Stanton is a social saint with a snake's soul. Clinton haters probably will get the least out of ``Primary Colors''; not because Nichols and company, as has been widely and erroneously reported, softened the material, but because the president's enemies will merely have their biases reconfirmed.

It's Clinton's supporters and aware nonpartisans who really have a special experience in store. If you've made the pragmatic decision to accept an effective leader you thank God you're not personally involved with, this dramatic presentation surely must trigger a healthy round of soul-searching.

When was the last time a movie did that? As he has throughout his directing career - from ``The Graduate'' and ``Carnal Knowledge'' through ``Silkwood,'' ``Working Girl'' and ``Wolf'' - Nichols once again expresses the unease that can't help but gnaw at the informed segments of the American public.

And at a time when it's more necessary than ever.

THE FACTS

The film: ``Primary Colors'' (R; language).

The stars: John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Adrian Lester, Kathy Bates, Billy Bob Thornton, Larry Hagman.

Behind the scenes: Directed and produced by Mike Nichols. Written by Elaine May, based on Joe ``Anonymous'' Klein's novel. Released by Universal Pictures.

Running time: Two hours, 14 minutes.

Playing: Citywide.

Our rating: Three and One Half Stars.

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Photo

Photo: John Travolta plays a very Clinton-like Southern governor who's running for president as a Democrat in ``Primary Colors.''