Customer Reviews

Tequila Sunrise (Widescreen/Full Screen)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you looking for a movie with talented actors at acting this is the movie you got to see. If you want to watch a movie with some comody mixed with crime and action with a touch of romance this is the one for you. I am not a huge fan of action movies that always have to have love in the air but this movie isn't bad with the plot it has that the action and romance fall into. If I and other reviewers give this movie five stars you should believe and say so yourself.

I EXTREMELY HIGHLY RECCOMEND THIS MOVIE!! It has everything in it to interest both guys and girls. Mel of course and action. Its also and interesting film that makes you think and pay attention.
MEL IS HOTT!!!!!!!!! ROCK ON!!!!!!!

I had the unfortunate experience of spending money at Blockbuster and renting this dud. With such big name stars, I expected at least a mildly entertaining movie. What I got was one hour of lifeless, drab, big-budget flick. I couldn't bear to watch another minute, thus "Tequila Sunrise" became the first rental I stopped watching since that fateful day I rented "Last Action Hero". The actors seem to be stumbling through their scenes, lending not one iota of believability to their characters. I'm sure Michelle Pfeiffer, Mel Gibson, and Kurt Russell all look at this horrendous piece of garbage as the down point of their careers. I hope the actors had fun making this production; I sure as heck didn't have any fun watching it.

This is a unique movie that somehow manges to work, Mel Gibson who at the time had just come off the 1st "Lethal Weapon" tried to do somthing different & did, In tis he is Dale McKussic, a drug dealer in what appears to be Malibu or Santa Monica, that just can't seem to get out of the business, Kurt Russell is his old High School pal who is now the head of Narcotics for L.A. county, that for personal reasons doesn't want to bust McKussic, but is pressured by the DEA led by J.T. Walsh, it is apparent that Walsh & Russell can't stand each other, Michelle Pfreiffer only complicates things by being a resturaunt owner that Gibson has a thing for, sensing that she might know somthing Russell attempts to get to know her better, they begin a courtship & what follows is a love-triangle, with Gibson winning out in the end, Carlos (Raul Julia) is Gibson's supplier that is coming to town, unbeknownst to Russell & Walsh, he is a also a DEA special agent, Robert Towne wrote & directed this complicated story, but somehow he makes it work, especially with his three leads, as Russell & Gibson face-off, with Russell in a constant battle of loyalty to his job or friend, Prfeffer in a constant battle over who she like more, Gibson or Russell, & Gibson's constant struggle with loyalty to Carlos or Russell, just your typical Santa Monica beach story, that somehow mangages to work, one of the best movies from the 80's.

I saw this movie when it was originally released in the early 1980s, and thought it GREAT, simply superb. I definitely remembered Kurt and Michelle appearing in it, but I had completely forgotten that it was an early Melvin Gibson flick. At this stage of his career, even for his exemplary "The Road Warrior," Melvin presented a rather low-key stage presence. Melvin had not yet perfected the face-making, eye-rolling, occasional chicken-cackling histrionic techniques that imbued his "Lethal Weapon" series with such Oscar-quality richness.

Melvin Gibson fans will enjoy seeing this, a snippet from Melvin's earlier days and a testimony to how much Melvin's acting stature has grown since then. He is a Theater Titan, a National Treasure of American Cinema. Melvin Gibson is what other actors such as Lawrence Olivier, Marlon Brando and Buddy Hackett only DREAMED of becoming.

Saw this movie at the theatre,beleive it or not,
fell in love with this movie from the get go, what more can
this movie offer you, California,Sun,Beaches,Good Food,and
of course Drugs...
The movie has twists and turns, it could possibly be a real life
role, that of Dale M, real drug dealers during late 80's and
early 90's really lived like this, not like (Scarface).
LOW KEY...ON THE BEACH.
Robert Towne, could not have scripted a better screenplay
or story.
It's a story with values,characters,
friends.
I can promise you, you will go to the Blockbuster store
the next day and start looking up other (Towne),(Russell) (Pfeiffer) & of course (Gibson) films,
and start eating at Chic Los Angeles Italian Eateries.
This is an independant film , before they became popular,
my hat also goes off to: Mr.Mount who brought us Dale,Nick,
Joanne,Carlos, for all of us to enjoy....thanks Thom.

enjoy it.
jm

I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!! I saw Tequila Sunrise in the theater and was blown away by how stylish and beautiful this film is. I am an admitted Mel junkie and a Michelle Pfeiffer fan but it's the supporting cast that stand out here. Kurt Russell should be such a bigger star than he is. He is spectacular here and a standout among the big names. My favorite character is played by the late Raul Julia. He is inspiring as both a serious and comic element in the film. If you haven't seen this yet then you're missing out. What a great old-fashioned mystery/love story but played with modern flair.

...is how I view this film by writer Robert Towne (Chinatown, Personal Best, etc.), who also directs here. Tequila Sunrise is a wonderful, layered neo-noir set in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Others have criticized this film for being confusing, but at its core, it is a solid character based melodrama laced with a little ambiguity and ever-moving boundaries. Just about everyone in this film is not quite what you'd assume. If you like films that need close watching, with intricate character motives--regardless of clear moral distinctions--this is it.

Set in the 1980's, T.S. is a story of deceit, and betrayal, but primarily friendships. Mel Gibson plays Dale (Mac) McKussic, a retired South Bay cocaine smuggler of legendary proportions. Gibson is one actor who plays many hero types on-screen, but who is not afraid to convey the darker aspects of a character. Many other big names in Hollywood wouldn't take on this type of role. Here Mac wants to stay out of the drug business for a more normal life. But, as he puts it, "nobody wants me to quit."

Not so much opposing him, but being the flip side of a morally dubious coin, is Lt. Nick Frescia, who heads up L.A. Sheriff's drug enforcement unit. The vastly underrated Kurt Russell plays this character as a smart, slick operator capable of breaking the law when it helps him enforce it. Like Mel, Kurt is quite capable of playing the ambiguous lead (and make you like/hate him at the same time).

To really begin to understand these the two leads, though, southern Cal native Robert Towne gets to sprinkle some marvelous, sharp dialogue to their history. Friends since youth (and probably long time rivals), these two veered to opposite, but parallel paths by an incident alluded to in early character conversations. The two have a continuing yet uneasy connection. Here, Towne has a keen eye to those strangest of relationships: those life-long friendships that come out of cauldron known as "high school."

The primary impetus for the trouble to come is from the outside. For Nick, it's the unwelcome intervention by D.E.A. agent Hal Maguire, done to slimy perfection by the late J.T. Walsh. Smarmy, and not the sharpest knife in the drawer, he forces Nick to try and nail his friend Mac (who he likes) to do his job for him (who he hates) so as to keep him out of federal hands.

For Mac, coincidentally, it's the complication of his friend/drug overlord "Carlos" coming to town to clear up "an accounting problem." Without giving too much away, lets say that the late great Raul Julia gets to have loads of fun playing the mysterious Mexican cop Javier Escalante brought in by Maguire to help arrest this crimelord.

The gorgeous Michelle Pheiffer plays Jo Ann Vallenari. She is the tough but tender restaurateur Mac longs for throughout the story. The problem with that is Nick immediately sees her as someone who can help him with his case against Mac. However, he's just not prepared for his feelings and the resulting consequences.

Tequila Sunrise is nothing if not a primer on the twists and turns of friendships and moral implications. This movie can be difficult to follow, but if you stick with it, by the end, it's worth it. Watch for some great cinematography done by Conrad Hall. The DVD edition has a good commentary track by Producer Thom Mount with insights on the production and how it evolved to it's final cut.

This slick, modern neo-noir from "Chinatown" screenwriter Robert Towne makes up for its shortcomings with a charismatic cast. Using the well-worn "noir love triangle" formula, "Tequila Sunrise" is sort of a modern take on "Out Of The Past" or "Strange Love Of Martha Ivers". Kurt Russell and Mel Gibson are convincing as old pals who end up on opposite sides of the law, and Michelle Pfeiffer is a perfect choice for a "love interest" (duh!). One sticking point...Gibson as a coke dealer. He just doesn't seem "oily" enough. It is Russell who actually exudes the properly shady "noirish" vibe, even though he's the "law". On the plus side, this IS Robert Towne, so there is some very well written, mature dialogue for the actors to chew on. However, some unexplained jumps in the narrative raises speculation about a "director's cut" someday. Excellent support from J.T. Walsh and particularly from Raul Julia, who absolutely nails his character, projecting more depth in much less screen time than fellow cast members. By the way, the much discussed "hot tub" sequence screams "body doubles!" to this viewer--watch it closely (like you need encouragement!)

A Well done film with a somewhat twisted storyline about a a reformed drug dealer Mac,(Gibson)who is trying to get away from the drug life but his longlife best friend Nick Frescia(Russell) who happens to be head of the Narcotics divison of the L.A.P.D is persuaded by a crooked FBI Agent(Walsh) to manufacture evidence agaisnt Mac To put him away for good. Romance Is brought in to the film by the ever so beautiful Michelle Pfeiffer who plays Jo Anne, the ... Resteraunter who is caught between Mac & Nick. The villan Carlos Played by the late Raul Julia did a fantastic job in portraying a sinister villan adding just a touch of humor to the role. The story is often times confusing but the chemistry between the leads makes up for it. This story is more about personal loyalties and regaining indivdual honor. With all the roles well written TEQUILA SUNRISE Is a film that should not be missed.