The 1988 film, Colors, by Dennis Hopper gives us a glimpse of Los Angeles gang violence of the time. I believe the purpose of this movie was to foster an awakening to the reality of the scars that Los Angeles gangs have left on the inner city. Colors is a bold film that illustrates the tenacity of the gang way of life. The producers and director of this film certainly had to do their research and put a lot of thought into the message that this movie was to offer. Robert Duval plays seasoned deputy Bob Hodges and Sean Penn plays rookie deputy Danny McGavin. The scenes of violence in Colors were a disturbing representation of the realities of the gang wars, however the bloody special effects were not as good as they are now (pretty fake looking if you ask me).
Powerlessness of the police is a central issue of the movie Colors. Although in the same business of deterring gang propagation, and trying to stop gang violence between the Bloods, the Crips and the Hispanic gangs, Hodges and McGavin, have very different styles of putting forth their efforts. Hodges has patrolled the streets of L.A. for many years, earning a degree of respect of some of the gang members. McGavin (nicknamed Pac-Man) is a newcomer to the force, the department and the neighborhood. His lack of experience patrolling the dangerous streets of Los Angeles lead him to make several mistakes, due to his hot headed approach, that eventually earn in a spot on the gang’s hit list. The film uses these opposing personalities to show the different methods for police to deal with gangs and crime in Los Angeles.
A common perspective that the movies Colors and American Me have is that both of these movies gives us an idea of why the gang life entices kids in inner city neighborhoods seeking to gain a sense of belonging, family, power and respect. In both of these films the producers and directors allow us, the viewers, to infiltrate the gangs and give us a peek at the brotherly bonds that are born the moment a member is introduced into the gang. In an ironic and twisted way, that same bond that demanded loyalty for life, all too often became the betrayal that took their lives too soon. The gang life gives the perception that by joining a gang you will be taken care of, loved and accepted. That may be the case for a short while until you mess up and get caught “slipping”. If that is the case you get taken out for good.
Interestingly, both Colors and American Me elicit a sense of sympathy from the viewer toward the gangs. I don’t believe the primary intention for both films was to provoke sympathy, yet Olmos and Hopper did such a great job of showing the realities of the gang life that one cannot help but feel sorry for them. The worst part of having joined a gang is that most often than not when a member is initiated into a gang it is done at a very young and vulnerable age and when they accept and get jumped in, it is a forever pact. In both movies we were able to see at least one individual that wanted out but was trapped in that life. I am sure that most gang remembers sooner or later come to the realization and regret join in the gang.
Colors is a very authentic film about a real life problem that continues to plague the streets of Los Angeles. At the time of release Colors, spawned a lot of back lash due to its violent nature. There is no doubt that Colors introduced people to a whole new world. I don’t believe that this movie contributed any more to the problem represented in this film, rather it educated those who may have been unaware of such problem.
Hi Angie,
I totally agree with you, Hopper does an excellent job in depicting hardships of the gang ridden streets of Los Angeles, as well as the culture of the LAPD in the 80’s. By then end of the film we can sympathize with both sides. On the side of the law enforcement, we can see that there’s no simple answer to public safety. Being an officer is not an easy job. Hoppers also shows us social and economic issues that have led young black and Latino boys to join gangs. We also get to see how the same young men have been oppressed by police brutality for years. I really enjoyed your interpretation of the film!
I would like to watch this film. It is always controversial to speak the truth about gang life because there is a lot of violence and touchy topics involved. Many people say gang violence is dying down but I think it is still rampart especially in certain parts of Los Angeles. But one must be really conscious in order to make a film that paints true events about gangs. Many people like to avoid the truth about gangs but it doe s not change the fact that many members join at very vulnerable ages.
I saw this film many years ago. The authentic portrayal of gang life was definitely a selling point of the movie. But now realizing that these images represent the face of all minorities in the mainstream, how do we bring awareness to the problems in the community without the “hegemonic function” of negatively labeling an entire race?
This was one of my favorite movies growing up. There were so many gang movies that came out around the same time, and they all hit so close to home. We had lost so many friends and family members due to gangs, whether it be that they were killed, or they committed crimes that landed them in jail for life. One would think that growing up in that environment would cause a person to want to do different, but sadly that is not the case, and the cycle just always seems to repeat itself, just as it did at the end of American Me. The truth is it is hard to get out of that lifestyle once you are in it or exposed to it.
I have never seen Colors before but it sounds pretty accurate as far as the approach of how police handle things and where they come from really matter. I think cops who know the area they are working have a much stronger relationship with the community and definitely have some respect from the people. I really like that you brought up the long going issue of gangs getting kids when they are young and vulnerable. I know so many people who know how dumb it is but they were so young when they got in that they feel trapped, and for others they are so far brain washed nothing can change their mind. Either way they’re trapped.
This film embodies a lot of the same sentiments as other movies that were directly influenced by the 1992 LA race riots. There are a couple of situations where McGavin takes justice into his own hands and this furthers our opinion of him as a corrupt cop. In a post LA Riots society the African American community is characterized as gang affiliated, and labeled criminals. In a very serious scene after harassing an African American arrest, Pac Man is seen roughing the guy up. Officer Hodges pulls him to the side and Pac Man tells him he should “decide who’s side he’s on”. Hodges responds with “I would if I could but you’re just like them Pac Man, nothing but a gangster!” This exemplifies how the Caucasian police officers see the criminals of a different race as “us” and “them”.
I think that right about the time that the movie was made there were many gangs in the many sorrounding area of Los Angeles. I remember that in the city of Lynwood, there were many gangs just in the small city. Then right next door to Lynwood is Watts and Compton, in those two cities there where a majority of gangs as well. In the city of Compton and Watts the people that were part of a gang, were either a Blood or a Crip and if you wore certain colors you would either get jumped or shot. I do agree with you on the point you make about the movie Colors and American Me, it is ironic how in the beginning it is all about loyalty and brotherly, but at the end it is all forgotten. At the end they always end up killing each other just for the colors or for the hood that they belong to.
I belive this movie does not depict Latinos in a negative way, It is reality and to otherwise statistics speak for themselves but it does touch on the problems that inner-city and suburban areas face. This movie is over 20 years old and gangs and drugs are prevalent today. There was apart that i really found interesting is when the community and police department were exchanging words, it was more like a fight. But one of the community members say that the police treat everyone like suspect just because of where they live. Police harassment is nothing new to the inner city. I just found it funny that the gang members style has change but the violence is still the same.
In my opinion this is a classic film. It involves the major gangs in Los Angeles, the Bloods, Crips and the Latino Gangs. All three are to broad within themselves to define. Yet depending where you are from, you know these guys, the are not just gang members they could easily be your brothers, sisters, cousins or friends. I agree Hopper was able to humanize and vilify both the Officer and the gang member in this film. I can’t declare stereotypes were exaggerated because it appears to be an accurate portrayal of Latino gangs in the 1980’s. Family and loyalty was important to the Latino characters: Frog wanted to protect his brother. Maria Conchita’s character was upset over McGavin spray painting her little cousins face.
It reminds me of American Me, in how the gangs demand respect for the hood and self, and will kill for said respect. It’s a sad truth but it appears as if Most gang member Masculinity is questioned by their friends if they allow themselves to be disrespected.
Great analysis, this is one of my favorite films. “This is mitu Pac-Man”