Cast
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Sean Penn
as Danny McGavin
Robert Duvall
as Bob Hodges
María Conchita Alonso
as Louisa Gomez
Randy Brooks
as Ron Delaney
Grand L. Bush
as Larry Sylvester
Don Cheadle
as Rocket
Gerardo Mejía
as Bird
Glenn Plummer
as High Top
Rudy Ramos
as Melindez
Sy Richardson
as Bailey
Trinidad Silva
as Frog
Charles Walker
as Reed
Damon Wayans
as T-Bone
Fred Asparagus
as Cook
Sherman Augustus
as Officer Porter
Crew
Director
- Dennis Hopper
Producer
- Robert H. Solo
Reviews
kevin2019
"Colors" primarily contents itself with concentrating upon the lethal gun and gang culture that permeates and blights the inner cities of America which young men and women devote their lives to as a means of survival on the streets instead of endeavouring to better themselves by accomplishing something more socially worthwhile. The instantly forgettable story and characters always seem to be languishing in second place and while this insight into America's dangerous gang culture can be periodically interesting and certainly extremely illuminating at times it is still a major and ultimately damaging miscalculation to make it the sole basis of the entire film unless it is your intention to produce a documentary exploring these socially critical issues otherwise you're left with what is essentially a long winded film which is not as important or incisive as it thinks and that is certainly the case here.
Jun 20, 2024
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Colors examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Dennis Hopper brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1988, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Colors took approximately 31 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $6.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 120 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 141 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The film contains approximately 2106 individual shots.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 4 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 1988, when this film was released:
- Economic policies were shifting toward deregulation in many Western countries.
- MTV launched, changing how music was marketed and consumed.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Colors shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Street Mobster, which focuses more on action than character development, Colors offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like The Wraith and Life Is All You Get explore similar territory, Colors stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 15, 1988
- Runtime: 2h
- Budget: $6,000,000
- Revenue: $46,616,067
