Colors *** (1988, Sean Penn, Robert Duvall, Maria Conchita Alonso) – Classic Movie Review 8101

Director Dennis Hopper’s 1988 movie Colors is a tough, in-your-face cop thriller distinguished by a grand turn by Robert Duvall as Bob Hodges, a grizzled cop teaching his impetuous young sidekick Danny McGavin (Sean Penn) the way to stay alive in the face of the gang warfare in East LA. There, to explain the title, the gang culture is enforced by the colors that members wear.

Colors is downbeat and depressing, and none too likeable or even original, but it is intelligent, provocative and grittily well handled by actor Hopper as director, bringing a sharp whiff of LA’s seamy bad life. Penn is first rate too, but it is Duvall’s show. It is a well crafted movie, too, thanks in part to
being shot in Metrocolor by Haskell Wexler.

There is a severe level warning for swearing, suggested sex and nudity, and violence.

It was cut from 128 minutes to 120 minutes by the studio Orion, but the original (unrated) version is now on home video.

Colors is directed by Dennis Hopper, runs 128 minutes or 120 minutes, is made and released by Orion Pictures, is written by Michael Schiffer, from a story by Michael Schiffer and Richard Di Lello, is shot in Metrocolor by Haskell Wexler, is produced by Robert H Solo and is scored by Herbie Hancock, with production design by Ron Foreman.

Also in an interesting cast are Maria Conchita Alonso, Randy Brooks, Grand Bush, Don Cheadle, Gerardo Mejía, Glenn Plummer, Rudy Ramos, Sy Richardson, Trinidad Silva and Damon Wayans.

It was very profitable. Costing $6,000,000, it grossed $46,616,000 in the US.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8101

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