Tequila Sunrise (1988)

Director:

Robert Towne

Writer (WGA):

Robert Towne (written by)

Release Date:

2 December 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

Un cocktail explosif [French]

Plot:

Mac Mckussic is an unlikely drug dealer who wants to go straight. His old and best friend Nick Frescia...

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | Drug Dealer | Police | Friendship | Restaurant

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Mel Gibson	...	Dale 'Mac' McKussic
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Jo Ann Vallenari
Kurt Russell	...	Det. Lt. Nicholas 'Nick' Frescia
Raul Julia	...	Carlos / Comandante Xavier Escalante
J.T. Walsh	...	DEA Agent Hal Maguire
Gabriel Damon	...	Cody McKussic
Arliss Howard	...	Gregg Lindroff
Arye Gross	...	Andy Leonard
Daniel Zacapa	...	Arturo, Bartender at Vallenari's (as Garret Pearson)
Eric Thiele	...	Vittorio Vallenari
Tom Nolan	...	Leland
Dawn Martel	...	Sin Sister #1
Lala Sloatman	...	Sin Sister #2 (as Lala)
Budd Boetticher	...	Judge Nizetitch
Ann Magnuson	...	Shaleen McKussic

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Philippines:R-18 | Netherlands:6 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Finland:K-16 | Singapore:M18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Manhattan Beach, California, USA

Company:

The Mount Company

Trivia:

Before shooting began according to producer Thom Mount, Warner Bros. pulled out of the film because of issues with the screenplay citing that the good guy was an ex-drug dealer and the cops and feds are the bad guys.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Pfeiffer is at the police station getting her chef released, Russell pulls up and parks directly in front of her car. When they leave the station, his car isn't there and Pfeiffer is able to drive away unobstructed.

Quotes:

Carlos: Don't worry, buddy. I won't kill her unless you approve.
McKussic: And if I don't approve?
Carlos: Then we'll talk until you do...

Movie Connections:

Featured in Here's Looking at You, Warner Bros. (1991) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Unsubstantiated

Eighties classic

This is one of those guilty pleasures. I still find myself watching it over and over some 14 years later. After a while, who even cares about Robert Towne's serpentine plot twists. The reason this movie still works is simple - it is great entertainment. This movie takes 3 stars at the peak of their physical beauty who were just beginning to realize their acting potential (admittedly, in the years since, only 2 of them realized that potential). Michelle Pfeiffer attained a perfect trifecta in 1988 with comedy (Married to the Mob), drama (Dangerous Liasons), and this melodramatic actioner. The movie takes itself too seriously, but we don't have to. It's a silly fantasy world with stunning beach sunsets, tequila and sports cars, good drug dealers and bad cops, etc. Like Miami Vice, this movie portrayed the late 80s, and for those of us who grew up during that flashy, fun decade, _Tequila Sunrise_ is a fun-filled nostalgic trip. It's about a beautiful people living angst filled lives.

It's mindless and fun. So enjoy it for what it is.