TRUE COLORS

US, 1991, 111 minutes, Colour.
James Spader, John Cusack, Imogen Stubbs, Richard Widmark, Mandy Patinkin, Dina Merrill.
Directed by Herbert Ross.

True Colors is a drama of friendship and betrayal in the world of law and politics in the United States.

John Cusack, in a strong performance, is a go-getting young man from a poor background who determines to be in Congress by the age of 30. He uses friends, his wife, her senator father, a gangster, to reach his goals. James Spader is the blueblood lawyer who befriends the Cusack character, is betrayed by him, who then uses the Justice Department means to bring him down. English actress Imogen Stubbs is the wife, Richard Widmark, in a strong performance from his mid-70s, is the senator. Mandy Patinkin is the gangster.

The film has an authentic ring about it, even though it is the material of bestsellers and miniseries. It has an '80s setting with a 1990 election to make it relevant to the American political situation of the '80s and '90s. The film was directed by Herbert Ross, a versatile director of many genres of movies, especially those with music and ballet (Goodbye Mr Chips, The Turning Point, Nijinsky) as well as such films as Steel Magnolias, Secret of My Success and a number of Neil Simon films including The Sunshine Boys and The Goodbye Girl.

1.The title, truth, relationships, friendship, betrayal? In the public world, in the private world?

2.Affluent Connecticut, Virginia, Washington DC? The '80s? The musical score?

3.The opening, the giddy style of the photography, the enthusiasm of the election results? The flashbacks and the return to the opening? Audience interest in the characters, Tim's comment and the focus on the profiles of Peter, Diana and Tim?

4.The University of Virginia, the students arriving, the crash between Tim and Peter, Peter Picking a fight, students holding him off? His smooth talking? The growing friendship? Their studying together, the differing backgrounds and Peter lying?

5.The portrait of Peter: the initial crash, the fight, his apology, smooth talking and offering friendship, sharing studies, relaxing with a drink? The bonding between Peter and Tim? The Christmas holidays, his lies about London, remaining at college, going to the shop, the sexual encounter, the phone call to Tim? Going to Connecticut, the elaborate hiring of the tuxedo, the research about the senator and his staff? The party, his intervening with an opinion, attracting the senator's attention, John's clash with him? The friendship with Diana, their sitting together? The New Year celebration, the hotel and the drink - and his being recognised by his friends? His asking them not to judge him? The truth of his background, his name? Yet the bond with Tim, the joy of the good results? Going to work in Washington? Peter and his shrewdness, recognising the senator out with a woman friend, spiking his tyre, offering to help, giving him the car? The lobbying and pressure? John and his enmity and telling him off? His making the decision not to go back to study, to stay and learn in practice? His work, zest, political success? The friendship with Diana, the affair? Going skiing, telling Tim about Diana - the clash, the skiing, the accident - and his doing a deal with Tim to cover it up? His plan for Congress, his bet with Tim and Diana? His meeting with Palmeri, the gift of the house, the financial backing, the set-up, the favours? The marriage to Diana? Their both working politically, phone calls? The decision to run for office after John rejecting him? Discussion with the senator at golf, the senator's clash with Peter? The senator's illness and its being made public? The announcement of his candidature, the angry reaction of Diana? The meagre statement by the senator? The campaign, the fishing trip with Palmeri, Palmeri pressuring him to use Tim to open an investigation and cast suspicion on the firm? Peter's decision to do it, going to Florida, talking with Tim? Tim and his being suspended, Peter taking him on for the campaign? The visit to the slums - and the irony that Palmeri owned them? Peter and his development of double talk? The election night, the party, the winning, his joy, Diana with the champagne and the bet? Tim confronting him with the truth, the clash, his being filmed? His making the speech - and his ability to justify himself and twist everything - while looking at Tim? Diana present? His arrest? His coming with the case of champagne for Tim, the offer for him to turn against Palmeri? His surviving? The American Dream?

6.The contrast with Tim, blue-blooded background, pleasant young man, car, not wanting to fight, angry with Peter, sharing the room, forgiving him? The friendship, hopes? Wanting to serve the law, not wanting to spend his life aiming for votes? The love for Diana, the affair, her breaking it off? His study, success at his work? Peter telling him about Diana, the skiing - and his allowing Peter to have the accident? His supporting Peter, investigating the Connecticut company? His success with the Florida gangster - and the hostile reaction of the Florida senator? The truth about the investigation and his being suspended? His decision to go against Peter, sharing the campaign? Listening to the speeches, meeting Palmeri? Palmeri roughing him up? His work, the election night, his listening to the result, his being wired, the discussion with Peter being filmed? Confronting him with the truth? Listening to Peter make his speech justifying himself? The encounter on the steps - no hard feelings? His future?

7.Palmeri and his wife, the suave gangster, the financial arrangements, the house, financial support, favours? The deal with Peter? Going fishing - and the battering of the fish? His support, attending the meetings, encounter with Tim? Indicted?

8.Diana, her relationship with her family, wealth? Her own ambitions? Breaking with Tim, fascinated by Peter, marrying him, sharing in his work? Shock at his behaviour, especially about her father's illness? The bet for Peter's ambitions? Giving him the champagne, listening to his final speech?

9.The senator, the New Year's Even party, political and financial discussions? His staff? His ability to play hard ball? Yet his honesty? Peter and his bringing the senator in and support after blackmailing him? The scene on the golf course - and his clash with Peter? The meagre introduction to his candidature? His wife and her support? Care about Diana? His staff, John, his understanding Peter, warning him off? The senator elected?

10.The picture of political staffs, their work, lobbying in Washington, reading of the times, shrewd, deals?

11.The Justice Department, its reputation, officials, collaboration, undercover work, indictments?

12.American society, politics, ambitions, the law? The style of American for politicking for 200 years?