Dick Tracy (1990 film)

Dick Tracy is a 1990 American crime action film directed and produced by Warren Beatty, based on the 1930s comic strip of the same name by Chester Gould. The film stars Beatty in the title role, alongside Al Pacino, Madonna, Glenne Headly, and Charlie Korsmo, with supporting performances from Dustin Hoffman, James Keane, Charles Durning, William Forsythe, Seymour Cassel, Paul Sorvino, Mandy Patinkin, Catherine O'Hara, Ed O'Ross, James Caan, James Tolkan, Michael J. Pollard, Henry Silva, R.G. Armstrong, Estelle Parsons, and Dick Van Dyke. The narrative follows detective Dick Tracy as he navigates romantic tensions with both Breathless Mahoney and Tess Trueheart, confronts the rise of crime boss Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice, and begins fostering a young streetwise boy known only as Kid.

The film was released theatrically in the United States on June 15, 1990, following its premiere at the Uptown Theater in Washington, D.C., on June 10. It received generally favorable to mixed reviews from critics, who praised its stylized production design, makeup effects, musical score, and several performances—particularly those of Pacino and Madonna—while expressing criticism of the screenplay and character development. The film emerged as a commercial success, grossing over $162 million worldwide against a production budget of $47 million.

At the 63rd Academy Awards, Dick Tracy received seven nominations, including Best Supporting Actor (for Pacino), and won in three categories: Best Original Song, Best Makeup, and Best Art Direction. The film has since attracted a cult following and is widely recognized for its bold visual style, which emulates the comic strip’s color palette and aesthetic.