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IMDbPro

Tequila Sunrise

  • 19881988
  • RR
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
32K
YOUR RATING
Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Kurt Russell in Tequila Sunrise (1988)
Official Trailer
Play trailer1:27
1 Video
54 Photos
CrimeDramaRomance
A former L.A. drug dealer tries to go straight but his past and his underworld connections bring him into the focus of the DEA, the Mexican feds and the Mexican drug cartels.A former L.A. drug dealer tries to go straight but his past and his underworld connections bring him into the focus of the DEA, the Mexican feds and the Mexican drug cartels.A former L.A. drug dealer tries to go straight but his past and his underworld connections bring him into the focus of the DEA, the Mexican feds and the Mexican drug cartels.
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
32K
YOUR RATING
    • Robert Towne
    • Robert Towne
  • Stars
    • Mel Gibson
    • Michelle Pfeiffer
    • Kurt Russell
    • Robert Towne
    • Robert Towne
  • Stars
    • Mel Gibson
    • Michelle Pfeiffer
    • Kurt Russell
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 103User reviews
    • 39Critic reviews
    • 62Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar

    Videos1

    Tequila Sunrise
    Trailer 1:27
    Watch Tequila Sunrise

    Photos54

    Michelle Pfeiffer in Tequila Sunrise (1988)
    Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Kurt Russell in Tequila Sunrise (1988)
    Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Kurt Russell in Tequila Sunrise (1988)
    Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Kurt Russell in Tequila Sunrise (1988)
    Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Kurt Russell in Tequila Sunrise (1988)
    Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Kurt Russell in Tequila Sunrise (1988)
    Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Kurt Russell in Tequila Sunrise (1988)
    Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Kurt Russell in Tequila Sunrise (1988)
    Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Kurt Russell in Tequila Sunrise (1988)
    Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Kurt Russell in Tequila Sunrise (1988)
    Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Kurt Russell in Tequila Sunrise (1988)
    Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Kurt Russell in Tequila Sunrise (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Mel Gibson
    Mel Gibson
    • Dale McKussic
    Michelle Pfeiffer
    Michelle Pfeiffer
    • Jo Ann Vallenari
    Kurt Russell
    Kurt Russell
    • Nick Frescia
    Raul Julia
    Raul Julia
    • Carlos…
    J.T. Walsh
    J.T. Walsh
    • Hal Maguire
    Arliss Howard
    Arliss Howard
    • Lindroff
    Arye Gross
    Arye Gross
    • Andy Leonard
    Gabriel Damon
    Gabriel Damon
    • Cody McKussic
    Daniel Zacapa
    Daniel Zacapa
    • Arturo
    • (as Garret Pearson)
    Eric Thiele
    • Vittorio
    Tom Nolan
    Tom Nolan
    • Leland
    Dawn Martel
    • Sin Sister
    Lala Sloatman
    Lala Sloatman
    • Sin Sister #2
    • (as Lala)
    Budd Boetticher
    Budd Boetticher
    • Judge Nizetitch
    Ann Magnuson
    Ann Magnuson
    • Shaleen
    Kenny Moore
    Kenny Moore
    • Woody
    • (as Kenneth C. Moore)
    Jason Randal
    • Magician
    Bob Swain
    • Ralph Spudder
      • Robert Towne
      • Robert Towne
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The hot tub was not built properly or chlorinated. Michelle Pfeiffer, her double, and Mel Gibson got skin rashes and splinters from the wood. Production shut down for a few days while Pfeiffer recovered from her rash.
    • Goofs
      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: You son of a bitch! How could you do this? Friendship is the only choice in life you can make that's yours! You can't choose your family, God damn it - I've had to face that! And no man should be judged for whatever direction his dick goes - that's like blaming a compass for pointing north, for Christ's sake! Friendship is all we have! We chose each other. How could you fuck it up? How could you make us look so bad?

    • Crazy credits
      As the end credits roll, the color of the text changes from dark orange (at the bottom of the screen) to yellow (at the top), mirroring the colors of a Tequila Sunrise cocktail.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels/Tequila Sunrise/Twins/My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Surrender to Me (Love Theme from 'Tequila Sunrise')
      Performed by Ann Wilson & Robin Zander

      Courtesy of Capitol Records, Inc. & Epic Records

      Produced by Richie Zito

      Written by Richard Marx & Ross Vannelli

    User reviews103

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Two friends on opposite sides of the law in the 80's
    A story that meanders and sort of goes nowhere despite the best of intentions. Nice cinematography and great cast though, Mel Gibson and Kurt Russell bounce well off each other as two old friends on opposite sides of the law. Michelle Pfeiffer is a perfect addition as the woman they both fall for.

    I remember liking this movie when I originally saw it, way back when but this time around not so much. Hideously dated sax music throughout -as all the movies from this time 80s tended to have- was partially to blame but the whole story just felt a bit dry.

    On the plus side the cast is superb Raul Julia steals every scene he's in as Carlos the charismatic dealer, Kurt is sleazy with his cocky cop attitude, cigarettes and slicked back hair, determined to get the girl and bring down his old friend. He actually reminded me of Dano from Hawaii five-0. Michelle Pfieiffer is beautiful and lovely as per, a sweet romance there. Yeah poor Mel, nobody will believe he's gone straight.
    helpful•6
    2
    • juneebuggy
    • Dec 7, 2017

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 2, 1988 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Manhattan Beach, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Cinema City Films
      • The Mount Company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 55 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Stereo

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