Themes: Faltering Friendships, Blackmail, Political Corruption
Main Cast: John Cusack, James Spader, Imogen Stubbs, Mandy Patinkin, Richard Widmark
Release Year: 1991
Country: US
Run Time: 111 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
John Cusack and James Spader play against type in Kevin Wade's morality play, directed by Herbert Ross. Spader plays Tim Gerrity, a well-heeled WASP blueblood, who has dedicated his life to justice and public service. Engaged to Diana Stiles (Imogene Stubbs), the daughter of a powerful senator (Richard Widmark), Tim seems to have a rosy future ahead of him. Enter Peter Burton (John Cusack), Peter's working-class roommate at the University of Virginia. Peter, a ravenous and devouring go-getter, is out to climb the political ladder at any cost. He sees Tim and latches onto him. Their friendship blooms at the university and continues afterwards, with the weak-willed Tim constantly deferring to the antagonistic and aggressive Peter. But they finally come to blows on skis when Tim finds out that Peter has bedded Diana, who has decided to drop Tim for his lack of ambition. When Peter blackmails Senator Stiles to secure a House seat, Tim rouses himself from his lethargy to fight Peter politically. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Review
True Colors is an extremely well-intentioned film that is severely weakened by its predictability. Kevin Wade's screenplay packs some punch at first, when it seems that it's painting its characters and set-ups in broad strokes to provide some interesting reversals or surprises. When it becomes apparent, however, that John Cusack's character really is as abhorrent as he seems and that James Spader's really is as virtuous as he seems, the film loses steam -- and credibility. The characters behave in such a trite manner that it's impossible to believe that no one can see through Cusack's machinations for the first two-thirds of the film -- or through Spader's for the final third. As a result, despite the often fast pacing, the film lags and the viewer's attention wanders. Were it not for two first class performances from the leads, the audience would likely become irritated at the turns of the script. Fortunately, both the stars jump into their roles with total commitment, and seem to relish getting to play more-or-less against type. They even manage to make the ludicrous skiing fight work, which is no mean feat. Of the two, Cusack makes the stronger impression upon initial viewing, but this is largely due to the no-holds-barred ambition of the character itself. Spader's carefully nuanced performance lingers and grows more impressive upon reflection. Herbert Ross has directed with expediency but seems to have accepted the flaws in the script rather too easily. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Dina Merrill - Joan Stiles; Philip Bosco - Senator Steubens; Paul Guilfoyle - John Lawry; Richard G. Adee - Palmeri's First Mate; Bev Appleton - Professor Houseman; Steve Aronson - Miami Reporter; Russell Dennis Baker - Todd; John Battle - Burton Campaign Aide; Sally Beckner - Miami Reporter; Julian Bell - Anchorman; Joshua Billings - Justice Department Aide; Sue Boyd - Senior Supporter; Donald Campen, Jr. - Campaign Aide; Tony Carlin - Tony; Timothy Chambers - FBI Agent; Philip Coccioletti - Carl; Lisa Cooley - Stile's Secretary; Kim Criswell - Campus Radical; O. Dewayne "Bart" Davis - Campaign Reporter; Ernie Dunn - Campaign Aide; Tom Ellis - FBI Agent; Ronnie Farer - Justice Department Agent; Rhonda Fitzgerald - Justice Secretary; Tom Sean Foley - Ken; Mike Fowler - Burton Campaign Aide; Anthony Fusco - Sam Minot; Peter Hackes - Dr. Burt Tuck; R.M. Haley - FBI Agent; Thomas Hauff - Detective; Anne H. Hill - Campaign Aide; Sam Hoffman - B.J.; Chester Holt - Senior Supporter; Karen Jablons-Alexander - Store Clerk; Larry Joshua - David; Mary Mara - Sophia Palmeri; Joe Mattys - Tux Shop Owner; Bruce McCarty - Mark; Don McManus - Stubblefield; Mary McMillan - Campaign Reporter; Steve Morley - Justice Department Aide; Rende Rae Norman - Fanne; Wendee Pratt - Janine; Antonia Rey - Soledad; Ed Sala - Lackerby Aide; Brad Sullivan - Abernathy; Frank Hoyt Taylor - Senator Lackerby; Sam Wells - Miami Reporter; Scott Wickware - Detective; Michael Kennedy - Miami Reporter; Hank McCann
Credit
William Barclay - Art Director, Joseph G. Aulisi - Costume Designer, Herbert Ross - Director, Robert Reitano - Editor, Stephen A. Rotter - Editor, Trevor Jones - Composer (Music Score), Timothy R. Sexton - Musical Direction/Supervision, Edward Pisoni - Production Designer, Dante Spinotti - Cinematographer, Joseph M. Caracciolo, Jr. - Producer, Laurence Mark - Producer, Herbert Ross - Producer, Robert Franco - Set Designer, Michael Haynes - Stunts, Jerry Spicer - Stunts, Kevin Wade - Screenwriter, Elizabeth Shelton - Assistant Costumer Designer
