A Gem from the Five Dollar Bin: True Colors

At Wal-Mart I found my self dissecting a bin. Searching for a film that I could purchase for five dollars and two quarters. I found myself penetrating a pile of poorly made movies.. or at least many of which the covers screamed of a type of artistic poverty. Rushed by my dear darling of a wife, I quickly snatched a couple of DVD's that I knew nothing about, but was firm in the fact that I took pleasure in watching the actors that were featured in them.

One was Gattaca, featuring two delightful actors named Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. The other was a little Gem called True Colors. That film held the splendor of James Spader and John Cusack. After I viewed it, I found that I had made a good choice because of the actors, but also was pleasantly surprised by how much more it held, including crisp dialog, and a fine look at friendship.

True Colors - Directed By: Herbert Ross

True Colors is a story about politics, but essentially about friendship. It tells the story of Peter Burton (John Cusack) and Tim Garitty (James Spader) best friends who are political enthusiast. Regardless of each emerging from different monetary neighborhoods, they still bestow a boisterous amount of loyalty for each other.

Tim is confident that the candid way, is the correct way, as he seeks to plant his feet firmly in the Justice Department. However, Peter seeks to be a powered political player.. regardless of the damage. As the years proceed, they find themselves up against these differences, and finding out how far you can push a brotherly bond.

The factor that makes the ending effective is the fine setup. From the beginning, every occurrence was another piece to the puzzle that would eventually be the firm relationship between Peter and Tim. Thanks to this progression, we receive effective tense scenes at the conclusion of the film. Plus, the relationship was cemented so sweetly, that nearing the end, I found myself conflicted as to how I wanted to see this relationship conclude.

The film rides heavily on the back of Tim and Peter's affection for each other. Fortunately, that is where "True Colors" holds its biggest asset. First, the script weaves such a charming story of this on-going relationship, that you actually feel emotionally compelled to worry about their ultimate fates. If one acts in a devious way toward the other, you find it as betrayal rather than just a bad act. Which creates an interactive feel, rather than feeling like a meaningless by-stander.

But of course, to make this political couple shine, you need more than a good script and bright dialog. You also are in necessity of fitting actors to bring these characters to life. Here is where I give a great thanks to casting director Hank McCann for bring two of my fave. and gifted actors, into this picture. Spader and Cusack were brilliant in each portrayal. The depiction of each character was delightfully charismatic, fiercely fascinating and wrapped up each personality with energy.

John Cusack has the tendency of playing characters that are not black and white, but find themselves in a shade of grey. Personalities that are shady but always hold an aura of positivity. They want to do good, but the destructive piece of their personality keeps resisting.

You can see it endlessly in some of his films like Grosse Point Blank, High Fidelity (my personal fave.), and most recently in The Ice Harvest. Now, Cusack was fun in all those, as well as solid in performance, but in "True Colors" you can see him shine with a collective effort of all his talents. He is brilliant whether he is being funny, shady or just plain old charming. More than any, his charm in the end is what wins you over in this film.

Then you have the complimentary Spader. He is all that and a little more. Playing against his usual persona, he is actually the kind hearted one here. Usually he plays cold and rigid characters, like in The Secretary and Pretty in Pink. Here, however, he produces something that you can root and cheer for. He plays a shinny, clean, good guy, who struggles with a friend who is less than honorable. He does a damn fine job at it too.

In the end you'll find that True Colors is about many things, including politics, ethics, and warm friendship. You will love the acting and feel the emotions. Plus, the dialog is firm enough, that you hardly feel that the film is 110 minutes long. Its a great adult movie, but because of language and sexual content.. it's not really one to sit and watch with the kiddos. And considering that its content is pasted on film from 1991, you'll still be able to enjoy the direction of Herbert Ross.

ZeN