Tequila Sunrise (1988)

Director:

Robert Towne

Writer (WGA):

Robert Towne (written by)

Release Date:

2 December 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | 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:

Corruption | Drugs | Friendship | Neo Noir | Title Based On Song

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

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 | 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:

When the film went into production, the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers at the time, Pat Riley, was offered the role of Nick. When he turned it down, it went to 'Kurt Russell' . Russell's look for the role was influenced by Riley.

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:

Hal Maguire: Come on Nick. Escalante's waiting. He wants to give you a token of his government's friendship.
Nick Frescia: What?
Maguire: A gun. What can I say? He's Mexican.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Golden Girls: Love Me Tender (#4.14)" (1989)

Soundtrack:

Recurring Dream

Interesting plot setup and although dated, very enjoyable

I remember this movie for one real thing, the soundtrack. I bought it on vinyl and played a few songs until they were scratched, the fabulous "Do you believe in shame" by Duran Duran was one of my favourites and remains so to this day.

I like this film, I really do. Okay so it now looks dated, but the rest of the film is extremely good. Mel Gibson plays a big time Drug Dealer now trying to go straight but seemingly lined up for one final big deal, or so the Police think, and his old school friend who is now the Chief of Police in the same city, Kurt Russell. Russell rocks, he really does, and they play off each other so perfectly. Michelle Pfieffer is the female caught between them who falls for one, and then the other, each playing the reverse of what you think their character may be and each, in their own way, using her to gain information on the other. That plot device alone makes the movie work for me and I love watching the dynamics between all three characters.

Although a couple of plot turns need a little twist of the imagination, it's still very well written and carried through to the screen with these actors giving good performances to take it there. I still have a soft spot for this movie.