True Colors (1991 film)
| True Colors | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
|
|
| Directed by | Herbert Ross |
| Produced by |
Laurence Mark Herbert Ross |
| Written by | Kevin Wade |
| Starring | |
| Narrated by | James Spader |
| Music by | Trevor Jones |
| Cinematography | Dante Spinotti |
| Edited by |
Robert M. Reitano Stephen A. Rotter |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
|
Release date
|
March 15, 1991 |
|
Running time
|
111 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $418,807 |
True Colors is a 1991 American drama film written by Kevin Wade and directed by Herbert Ross. The cast includes John Cusack, James Spader, Imogen Stubbs and Richard Widmark, in his final movie role.
The movie opens with Peter Burton (Cusack) and best friend Tim Garrity (Spader) nervously awaiting the results of Peter's congressional election. Tim is telling the story of how they all came to such a thing. The two had met seven years earlier following an argument in the parking lot at law school. After discovering that they are to be roommates, the men become close friends. Tim, who comes from an affluent family, plans a career with the Department of Justice, a fact that doesn't sit well with his girlfriend, Diana (Imogen Stubbs), the daughter of Senator Stiles (Widmark). The couple end their relationship before Tim has a chance to propose. Peter, who is embarrassed by his lower-class roots, plans a career in politics, eventually manipulating his way into a job on a congressman's campaign staff.
The friendship between them is severely tested when Peter confesses to Tim during a ski vacation that he and Diana have been carrying on an affair. He adds that he plans to ask Diana to marry him. Tim, angry at the betrayal, speeds off down a hazardous ski trail. The less experienced Peter follows him down with far less grace than Tim. There's a steep cliff at the end. Tim hesitates to warn Peter, but finally does so. Unfortunately, Peter doesn't hear Tim's belated warnings in time, hurtles down to the bottom breaking his leg and cracking two ribs. Tim forgives Peter and even agrees to be the best man at Peter and Diana's wedding.
Shortly after marrying Diana, Peter falls under the influence of John Palmieri (Mandy Patinkin), who has ties to organized crime and political corruption. He bribes Peter into going along with an influence peddling scheme. Meanwhile, things have begun to spiral out of control in Peter's extended family. Earlier in the film, Stiles is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease, something that will end his political career. Peter seizes the opportunity to manipulate his father-in-law into supporting his run for Congress. When the older man refuses, Peter threatens to leak news of the illness to the press. The senator reluctantly acquiesces, but promises Peter that he will eventually get caught.
...
Wikipedia