True Colors (1991)
Two law school friends find themselves at odds when one becomes a Justice Department lawyer and the other goes into politics.
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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.
I found this movie very entertaining because the character played by John Cusack is somewhat of a tragic hero. Are his actions planned or instinctive? I just wonder whether the title refers to his character or to the one played by Jame Spader. Overall, the movie has a good message and always holds the viewers attention.
Ok, this was no classic and, judging by the number of votes it has attracted (or NOT attracted), not too many people know about it. Somewhat entertaining without being particularly interesting. Neither of the lead characters are close to their best but the whole thing has just too little going for it. Pity, it wasn't a terrible premise. 6/10 is about right for this film.
John Cusack is one of my favorite actors of all time, and James Spader has some talent as well, but this movie, from the "shoot-me-in-the-head-before-I-vomit-my-brains-out" opening theme, through the first half hour (which was all I could stand, and I sat through "Hunk" when it came out in the theater), was one huuuuuuge disappointment.