True Colors (1991)
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47% of critics liked it
(15 reviews) -
47% of users liked it
(4,853 ratings)
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… More 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, Rovi
- Directed By
- Herbert Ross
- Written By
- Kevin Wade
- Genres
- Drama
- In Theaters
- Mar 15, 1991 Wide
- Studio
- Paramount Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
True Colors apparently thinks it is exposing the values of the greedy 1980's. Yet its own understanding of moral conduct is warped.
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Rita Kempley, Washington Post
While it aspires to lofty heights, it never really goes much beyond the rules of behavior prescribed by the Boy Scout Handbook.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Requires more than the willing suspension of disbelief; it demands a willful abandonment of incredulity.
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Steve Davis, Austin Chronicle
The painstakingly obvious screenplay by Kevin Wade (Working Girl) plays like an eighth-grade civics primer: ethics and morality are good, greed and corruption are bad.
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Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
Diverting political melodrama, but shouldn't Cusack and Spader have switched roles?
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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John Cusack
as Peter Burton
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James Spader
as Tim Garrity
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Imogen Stubbs
as Diana Stiles
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Mandy Patinkin
as John Palmeri
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Richard Widmark
as Senator James B. Stiles
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Dina Merrill
as Joan Stiles
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Philip Bosco
as Senator Steubens
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Paul Guilfoyle
as John Lawry
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Richard G. Adee
as Palmeri's First Mate
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Bev Appleton
as Professor Houseman
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Steve Aronson
as Miami Reporter
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Russell Dennis Baker
as Todd
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John Tucker Battle
as Burton Campaign Aide
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Sally Beckner
as Miami Reporter
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Julian Bell
as Anchorman
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Joshua Billings
as Justice Department Aide
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Sue Boyd
as Senior Supporter
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Donald Campen Jr.
as Campaign Aide
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Tony Carlin
as Tony
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Timothy Chambers
as FBI Agent
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Philip Coccioletti
as Carl
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Lisa Cooley
as Stile's Secretary
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Kim Criswell
as Campus Radical
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O. Dewayne "Bart" Davis
as Campaign Reporter
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Ernie Dunn
as Campaign Aide
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Tom Ellis
as FBI Agent
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Ronnie Farer
as Justice Department Agent
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Rhonda Fitzgerald
as Justice Secretary
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Tom Sean Foley
as Ken
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Mike Fowler
as Burton Campaign Aide
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Anthony Fusco
as Sam Minot
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Peter Hackes
as Dr. Burt Tuck
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R.M. Haley
as FBI Agent
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Thomas Hauff
as Detective
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Anne H. Hill
as Campaign Aide
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Sam Hoffman
as B.J.
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Chester Holt
as Senior Supporter
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Karen Jablons-Alexander
as Store Clerk
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Larry Joshua
as David
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Mary Mara
as Sophia Palmeri
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Joe Mattys
as Tux Shop Owner
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Bruce McCarty
as Mark
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Don McManus
as Stubblefield
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Mary McMillan
as Campaign Reporter
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Steve Morley
as Justice Department Aide
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Rende Rae Norman
as Fanne
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Wendee Pratt
as Janine
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Antonia Rey
as Soledad
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Ed Sala
as Lackerby Aide
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Brad Sullivan
as Abernathy
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Frank Hoyt Taylor
as Senator Lackerby
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Sam Wells
as Miami Reporter
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Scott Wickware
as Detective
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Michael Kennedy
as Miami Reporter
- Hank McCann
