A tight, well-written drama

steveha

True Colors is an intelligently plotted drama that never insults your intelligence.  John Cusack is excellent as Peter Burton, a man with an amazing knack to manipulate people.  James Spader is also excellent as Tim Gerrity, who becomes Burton's best friend.  Not a moment of this movie is wasted, nor a single line of dialog.  We see Burton advance his political career by hook and by crook.  We see Gerrity's idealism tested.  And we see how Burton's choices cost him in the end.

The plot would not work if Cusack weren't so convincing.  His Burton is so good at talking people into things, he can even talk himself into doing things he knows are wrong, dangerous, or both.  While Cusack is at the center, all of the performances are solid; at no point did I focus on the acting instead of the story.  The movie grabbed my attention and didn't let go.

I give this drama my highest recommendation.

score 10/10

steveha 4 January 2004

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0301098/