Cinema: The People's Choice

Since Pulp Fiction, John Travolta has emerged as Hollywood's favorite son

That raspy drawl, the salt-and-pepper hair, a doughnut-stuffed belly hanging over his belt. Others in Primary Colors tried to steer clear of real-life inspiration; John Travolta became a Bill Clinton clone. It took weeks to master the familiar vocal cadence and body language, but the feel-your-pain sincerity came easier. "The scary thing about this part is, take away the Southern accent and gray hair, and I don't respond that differently to people," he says, dunking a taquito into a lump of guacamole as he unwinds in his trailer after work. "I'm good at schmoozing and being very caring and tolerant, which...

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