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)

Gross USA:

$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 name of the campaign slogan for electoral candidate Peter Burton (John Cusack)'s "Burton '90" political contest for the 1990 election was "Tomorrow's Looking Good!".

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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

Featured in At the Movies: Class Action/If Looks Could Kill/Guilty by Suspicion/True Colors (1991)

User Reviews

two great young actors

Peter Burton (John Cusack) and Tim Garrity (James Spader) are waiting for Peter's congressional election results. The movie flashes back to University of Virginia Law School where the two best friend first met in a fender bender. Tim is from a rich family and plans to pursue a career in justice. His girlfriend Diana (Imogen Stubbs), the daughter of Senator Stiles (Richard Widmark), breaks up with him. Peter is ambitious and amoral social climber coming from a poor background. He had an affair with Diana and even marries her. Despite that, Tim stays as Peter's best man. Peter's rise in politics involve mob-connected John Palmieri (Mandy Patinkin) putting him in direct conflict with Tim who joined the Justice Department.

These are two of the best actors of their age. They do their utmost but the story unfolds with a series of plot points. Concentrating on Peter Burton could have made this an interesting dark movie. This has the feel of a Brat Pack movie trying to do politics although the guys bring it. This film is unable to build tension and lacks the intensity that it deserves.