Robert Duvall Movie:

Editorial Review:
Robert Duvall plays a veteran street cop assigned to a Los Angeles gang unit. He takes a headstrong young cop (Sean Penn) under his wing as a partner and shows him the ropes on Watts's mean streets. Penn soon realizes that his testosterone-fueled ways and hair-trigger temper won't get him very far when dealing with the gang-ridden neighborhoods of L.A. Colors is a landmark movie in several respects: it helped bring director Dennis Hopper back into the spotlight after years of self-induced obscurity. Its success at the box office forced Los Angeles's gang problems into the public consciousness and prefigured the next wave of "hood" movies (Boyz N the Hood, Menace II Society, New Jack City) by several years. Though the late-'80s milieu is a bit dated, Colors is still a vivid, absorbing film. Hopper and screenwriter Michael Schiffer give all the characters a very human dimension and go to great lengths to show gang life from both the cops' and the gangsters' points of view. Wisely, they stir in elements of the cop drama, buddy movie, and action genres, leavened with a bit of humor here and there, while keeping a social conscience. Duvall is excellent as always, as the sympathetic cop, and Penn brings a great deal of depth to what could be an unlikable character. Violent, unsettling, and highly recommended. --Jerry Renshaw

Colors [Region 2] Reviews:
A Must See
2009-10-14 - Robert Duval and Sean Penn both give outstanding performances in this movie. the movie, on the other hand, is good but not great. Penn plays a rookie cop, with a temper, learning the beat. Duval is the veteran, with a cool head, respected by the cops as well as the gangs. duval quickly learns that he must teach penn the ways to keep him alive. a definate watchable movie

great action movie
2009-09-06 - This is a movie that tells about life and the real things that happens in life.

About gangs, graffiti, definitely a keeper movie.
2009-08-10 - Colors (1988) is a an intellectual movie, which is in counterpoint
to BLOOD ON BLOOD (Bound by Honor) that has is less formal and is
more spiritual.

Colors is also in counterpoint with American Me, the former
centering around 2 officers, played by Sean Penn and Robert Duvall
from start to finish, while the latter focuses on the the criminal
justice system and gang members.

An outstanding effort is made to educate viewers, especially those
residing outside of Los Angeles or internationally, on what is the
day-to-day routine of officers on the beat, on the quality of life
and the challenges faced by a East LA community, and what recent
developments are affecting it.

In this particular case, the issue centers around gang conflict,
reds and blues, with the M13 in between, all competing for the
lucrative territory of various substance dealings and trafficking.
Some of the latter members are seen with their typical Fedora hat,
interior white shirt, and black pants, as a type of street uniform,
also seen in Boulevard Nights. The second issue, is the rampant
graffiti on the streets.

The actors are extraordinary in their charisma with Duvall playing
the 19 year veteran on the beat, being partnered up with a cocky
police academy recruit, played by Penn.

The script courageously demonstrates drive-by shootings, with
shotguns, double and single barreled, Uzi's, various caliber
pistols, even grenades.

To the credit of the director, Colors does not glorify the gang
lifestyle, separating it perhaps from rap music, Mr Roboto dancing,
and a fair bit of AM Radio soundtrack.

In a calculating manner, there is a bit everything thrown in, from
spectacular man-to-man combats (the one in the kitchen is notable),
to rifle action-pumping scenes, to some full frontal nudity scenes
or romantic moments, as Penn flirts with the character played by
Maria Conchita Alonso, and car chases, etc.

The script makes it a point to show officers as needing to sustain
their athletic ability to chase suspects, to recognize instantly the
symptoms of various drug intakes by sizing up suspects, to skills
of persuasion during interrogations, putting 2 and 2 together,
playing hardball, without overstepping legal boundaries. It also
underlines the fact that confidential informants are gold in the
business, as they keep officers in touch with the word on the
street.

At the same time, Duvall's character shows that officers on the beat
are human beings, with family and the struggle in maintaining a
balance between the work and home.

The director, to his credit, also puts a human face on the
gangsters, notwithstanding hostage takings and more.

The lesson of the movie, aside from its intellectual and educative
value, is also that no matter how large the city or neighborhood, if
often is only a matter of time before the reputation of an
individual leaks to the street, correct or not.

For example, Alonso's character decides her relationship with an
officer is just not worth her loss of status in her barrio when the
man's excesses in behavior are looked down upon.

Although lacking subtitles, the wide-screen is expertly filmed from
start to end. A keeper.

You Heard The One About The Two Bulls?
2009-06-24 - Dennis Hopper directed this gritty gang drama set in the late 80's. Haskell Wexler, the director of 'Medium Cool', was his cinematographer. Since scenes depicting gang life are handled so sensitively the film could almost pass for a documentary. Before things can get too serious Hopper throws in a good mix of sex and violence. Pop Hodges (Robert Duvall) is pissed off when he gets paired with young hot shot Danny McGavin (Sean Penn). Pop served five years on the streets during the Bloods and Crips war and currently enjoys an administrative position. This explains why he doesn't feel the need to chase down perps like Danny does. McGavin is a loose cannon who roughs up his suspects whereas Pop takes the time to get to know them and lets them off with a warning. This makes him friends on the street but it makes him an enemy to Danny. The two butt heads when it's discovered that a prime suspect (Don Cheadle) in the murder of a Blood by a Crip is a man Hodges let off with a warning. The film is definitely gritty and the police work is well portrayed. The film's authenticity sets it apart. Things get confusing since there are so many cops, gang members, informants, reformed gang bangers and so forth that you're never certain who's on what side of the law. The beautiful and sexy Maria Conchita Alonso co stars as Danny's new girlfriend who enters into their relationship knowing that her life is at risk. Set to an awesome soundtrack that alternates between Herbie Hancock, Willie Nelson, and Ice-T,'Colors' works because of the strong acting of Duvall and Penn. It isn't as effective as Hopper's other films as director but like all his previous work the ending is devastating.

Just Like Going to Work
2009-04-25 - This was a great movie. If you want to see a realistic and authentic portrayal of street cops and jail deputies this is it. Duvall clearly did his research for this role. His mannerisms flawlessly represent a veteran cop without appearing contrived or overly dramatized. Penn did a credible job also; his swagger and poor judgment accurately reflected an officer with 4 to 8 years tenure. Watching this movie causes the same stir in the pit of my stomach that I felt 25 years ago breaking line-up and loading up the squad car for another futile day in the Heights. Any time I feel like reminiscing I just watch this movie. The gang violence was graphic, but not gratuitously so. Watching the jail deputies withhold medical care until the bloody inmate coughs up some useful intel was fairly humorous and realistic. Duvall's final scene sent a chill up my spine. Having cradled the head of a grievously injured officer after finding her laying in a pool of her own blood, this scene was all too real for me. The only distraction was casting Trinidad Silva as the same smooth-talking aging gangster diplomat that he played on Hill Street Blues. Had it not been for that character, watching this movie would have been just like going to work. Silva's character reminded me that this was only a movie. Whether or not this movie deserves critical acclaim is out of my domain. The movie works on a very visceral level. For the most part, it is an accurate and authentic depiction of the interaction between a seasoned veteran cop and a young buck full of piss and vinegar. It is a poignant reminder that good guys don't always finish first, and sometimes they even get killed. And it serves as a legitimate testament that gang violence is a very real and very serious problem. Rent this movie--you won't be disappointed.