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Tequila Sunrise [1989]
![Tequila Sunrise [1989]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516Y8GR42DL._SL160_.jpg)
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Robert Towne is one of Hollywood's most celebrated screenwriters, but because his directorial efforts have been few and far between, anticipation was high when this star-powered crime story was released in 1988. Critical reaction was decidedly mixed, but there's plenty to admire in this silky, visually seductive film about a drug dealer (Mel Gibson) whose best friend from high-school (Kurt Russell) is now working for the Los Angeles sheriff's drug detail. Their personal and professional conflicts are intensified by their love for the same woman, a waitress (Michelle Pfeiffer) at the Italian restaurant they both frequent. There's a big deal going down with a drug lord (the late Raul Julia), but as it twists and turns, Towne's story is really more about personal loyalties and individual honour. And even if it doesn't quite hold together, the movie's got a fantastic look to it (courtesy of the great cinematographer Conrad Hall), and the three stars bring depth and dimension to their well-written roles. --Jeff Shannon
Slightly too complicated for comfort
Review date: 2007-09-15 Rating: 8 out of 10
One of these films that are so intricate that you seem to lose the line along the road, especially since the road is slightly tortuous and at least in the high sierras. It is well played and acted. It is well set and shot. It is well produced and edited. It's just that the story is too complicated for anyone to be able to get all the truth out of the marsh, all the light out of the pitch, all the fun out of the nunnery. One woman who is both desired and feared by at least three men and two of these three men are wanted by all kinds of American or Mexican polices and the third man in question is a local cop. Simple indeed. They have microphones and voice-catchers everywhere. They have binoculars and cameras everywhere. They see and hear and know everything and yet they get fooled like kindergarten kids, all of them, by the reformed drug dealer who is in love with the woman who is in love with him. He has to get rid of the main gangster, Carlos, his friend, of the money that could prove a crime, of the cops who are on his back, and yet protect the woman Carlos wants to kill and the local cop wants to use as some night entertainment. And it all ends up right of course. But how and why we cannot know. Apart from that it is funny to just follow the line of adventure as if it were not to be rational, logical, understood, just enjoyed at its face value.
Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne & University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines
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Reviews
Gibson, and Russel overshadowed by Pfeiffer
Review date: 2007-06-12 Rating: 8 out of 10
Mel Gibson is suave, cool and the typical anti hero in his role asadrug dealer. Childhood friend Ken Russel is stoic and on the opposite side of the law. Michelle Pfeiffer is divinely beautiful and really steals the show in an otherwise slow moving film noir.
While the ending may be unsatisfying to the typically cynical noir fan, it does not change the fact that this a far-above-average genre flick with an excellent cast and a superb script.
Another 80's drugs bust
Review date: 2004-10-17 Rating: 6 out of 10
At first glance, this doesn't sound like the sort of film that you'd expect out of Hollywood. The plot is that there are two guys: one is a narcotics cop (Russell) and the other has served time for drug dealing (Gibson) who just happen to be good friends. Gibson swears he's gone straight. Russell comes into information that a drug baron, who knows Gibson well, is going to visit. Things get complicated they both fall for the owner of Gibson's favourite restaurant (Pfeiffer).
The plot revolves around 3 questions: Has Gibson's character, Mac, really gone straight? For Russell, does his job or his friendship with Gibson come first? And, finally, which one will Pfeiffer end up with?
Compared to the average cop movie, the film is slow. On the plus side, considering it's a Hollywood movie, the film has an unusual ability to see shades of grey. At the end of the day, both of those observations stem from that fact that the film is primarily a romance with a police investigation backdrop. The characters are well drawn for crime film but are still pretty two dimensional for a romantic drama.
An under rated classic
Review date: 2004-03-22 Rating: 10 out of 10
Any film featuring Michelle Pfieffer is worth watching, throw in a cast including Mel Gibson, Kurt Russell and Raul Julia and you've got some idea of how good this film is.
The complex love triangle between Pfieffer, Gibson and Russell is further complicated by the fact that Gibson and Russell are long time best friends, one is a drug dealer and the other a narcotics officer. Sure, it may be a little far fetched but it makes for good viewing.
Fans of Michelle Pfieffer will enjoy the steamy love scene with Mel Gibson whilst anyone who enjoys good music will find the soundtrack interesting. There is a wonderful piece of music written by Dave Grusin and featuring David Sanbourn on the saxaphone, a great duet from Nancy Wilson (Heart) and Robin Zander (Cheap Trick) and some other great tunes from bands such as Duran Duran, Crowded House and Ziggy Marley.
A good film for summer time.
Touching courtship and strong loyalties of friendship
Review date: 2000-11-20 Rating: 10 out of 10
Dale McKussic / Mac (Mel Gibson) is seen regularly visiting his favourite Italian restaurant run by the beautiful Jo Ann (Michelle Pfeiffer) and cop Nick Frescia (Kurt Russell) wonders if Mac's criminal past is surfacing again especially with the latest news that Carlos, the Mexican druglord is making a trip to revisit his long-time pal, Mac. Could Mac be conducting his illegitimate business in this suave restaurant also frequented by influential people? Could Jo Ann be involved, after all, she is certainly 'slick' enough and has a wonderful rapport with her customers? Only thing is Nick isn't all that keen to bust his high school friend, but he has a job to do. Mac has said he quit the drug business but no one else wants him to. Jo Ann definitely never asked to become a pawn between these 2 buddies as a romantic triangle evolves. What else is there to worry about except that Jo Ann unsuspectingly sets eyes on Carlos, and now he wants to dispose of her since she can identify him. No one knows who he is (bar Mac, of course). [Note. For that reason I am not telling you who plays Carlos.] This movie isn't your 110mins of high brakes, roller-coaster, good-guy, bad-guy story, and I am a Pfeiffer fan but the romance and theme of comaraderie between friends is uplifting. Besides, casting includes Gibson and Russell! A favourite from this movie: " I can't believe what you've done with your life. You think you can do or say what you like, just like Carlos. You try to f*** her, he tries to kill her". I've watched it a few times now and still enjoy it as much as if I were to have a cocktail to relax. Definite place in my personal collection.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Raul Julia
Michelle Pfeiffer
Kurt Russell
Mel Gibson
J.T. Walsh
Creators:
Mel Gibson (Primary Contributor)
Michelle Pfeiffer (Primary Contributor)
Conrad L. Hall (Cinematographer)
Robert Towne (Writer)
Claire Simpson (Editor)
Thom Mount (Producer)
Tom Shaw (Producer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900118217
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 1998-09-25
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 111 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1988-12-02
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Arabic (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)