True Colors (1991)

Best friends from law school to election night, their friendship is sorely tested when one learns of another's betrayal.

Director:

Herbert Ross

Writer:

Kevin Wade

Stars:

John Cusack, James Spader, Imogen Stubbs

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Cusack	...	Peter Burton
James Spader	...	Tim Gerrity
Imogen Stubbs	...	Diana Stiles
Mandy Patinkin	...	John Palmeri
Richard Widmark	...	Sen. James Stiles
Dina Merrill	...	Joan Stiles
Philip Bosco	...	Sen. Frank Steubens
Paul Guilfoyle	...	John Laury
Brad Sullivan	...	FBI Agent Abernathy
Russell Dennis Baker	...	Todd
Don McManus	...	Doug Stubblefield
Karen Jablons-Alexander	...	Store Clerk
Wendee Pratt	...	Janine
Rende Rae Norman	...	Fanne
Frank Hoyt Taylor	...	Sen. Lockerby

Storyline

Peter and Tim are both law students looking to get into the battleground of politics in Washington, but they both have different ideals and ethics. Tim wants to pursue a career in justice, but Peter is determined to be a big political power broker any way he can, even if that means bending the rules. As their careers push them towards political opposites, their friendship must constantly adapt to the new situation.

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Plot Keywords:

law school | election | politics | political candidate | election campaign | 

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Taglines:

Lies. Deceit. Betrayal. It's What Friendship Is All About.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 March 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

True Colours

Filming Locations:

Annapolis, Maryland, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$59,517, 17 March 1991

Gross USA:

$418,807

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$418,807

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's opening title card reads: "University of Virginia Law School 1983".

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Goofs

The store clerk's accent appears to change from north eastern to southern from the time Peter meets her to the time she leaves his dorm room.

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Quotes

Tim Gerrity: We may not always get what we want. We may not always get what we need. Just so's we don't get what we deserve!

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Connections

Referenced in Seinfeld: The Invitations (1996)

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Soundtracks

In The Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening
by Johnny Mercer & Hoagy Carmichael

User Reviews

A tight, well-written drama

True Colors is an intelligently plotted drama that never insults your intelligence. John Cusack is excellent as Peter Burton, a man with an amazing knack to manipulate people. James Spader is also excellent as Tim Gerrity, who becomes Burton's best friend. Not a moment of this movie is wasted, nor a single line of dialog. We see Burton advance his political career by hook and by crook. We see Gerrity's idealism tested. And we see how Burton's choices cost him in the end.

The plot would not work if Cusack weren't so convincing. His Burton is so good at talking people into things, he can even talk himself into doing things he knows are wrong, dangerous, or both. While Cusack is at the center, all of the performances are solid; at no point did I focus on the acting instead of the story. The movie grabbed my attention and didn't let go.

I give this drama my highest recommendation.