Movies-TV

An old-fashioned story with new generation stars

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.

A DVD review

An average film and slightly below average DVD. Another film that's on Amazon's essential list but doesn't make mine. The plot is tricky to follow. This may turn a lot of people off, but then it allows for multiple viewing, getting something new each time. The commentary from the producer is interesting from a producer viewpoint. He gives interesting info like the fact that the restaurant set was later sold to a restaurant that reproduced it on Hollywood Blvd. or that Harrison Ford originally was going to play Gibson's part but backed out or how Michele was nervous about the love scene and Mel wasn't. You hear other interesting tidbits when you can hear it. The producer talks in such a soft and mellow voice that you can barely hear him over the sound of the film. Overall I think this is a must if you like the genre, as it is an unusual twist especially for a Hollywood studio film. Otherwise, I may pass on it.

The best, most tangled script that I have seen in quite some time. Excellent film

This film is so rich in character that you could really care less if the film sucks in every other way. Fortunately, it doesn't and what we are left with is one incredible film.What I enjoyed most about the film was how almost every character has a hidden agenda. From Mac ( Gibson ) and Joanne's ( Pfeiffer ) laywer and the Mexican detective Escalante ( in a brilliant performance by Raul Julia ). They all have something that they are hiding. Something that they don't want anyone else to know.Robert Towne, who is one of the great script writers of our time, directed this masterpiece. He paints every character with many shades of grey and he paints the background of this movie with lush oranges and sunset reds. It is excellent in every way. But you have to have your brain working in this film because it is a smart movie. It treats the viewer as if they are smart and not the typical mindless audience that movies are aimed at these days.A great cast, perfect writing and direction and cinematography make this a treat to watch.

Good Thriller Mel Gibson looks tooclean cut for drug dealing

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.

So many big stars and then such an average movie...

This movie has a cast to die for; Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell, Raul Julia, J.T. Walsh, Arliss Howard. It makes you wonder though why they all ever agreed to appear in this movie. It's a waste of their talents really, since the movie its script doesn't provide the movie with anything interesting or exciting. Instead it more often confuses and bores.I was real disappointed by the movie its script. While '80's police movies also aren't exactly know for their great or original stories but this story is even worse than usual. In the end you just stop carrying about anything that is happening in this movie or for any of its characters, since the movie has dragged along for far too long. The movie is lacking a certain depth with its story. In all honesty the movie really didn't started off too bad but its one of those movies that gets worse by the minute. In the end it makes you regret you've ever watched it.It's sad that not even the great cast could put some life into the movie and its story. It's also a rather unknown movie from each of the movie its actors. They still try their very best but no, I can't really say it helps much. Although it of course is certainly true that the presence of actors such as Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell, Raul Julia and J.T. Walsh still uplifts the movie. I mean, with a totally different and unknown cast the movie would had been far worse for sure.What the movie is lacking is some good action. It would at least had made the movie more interesting to watch. And when you have an '80's action-star such as Mel Gibson in your movie, why not use that? Instead now the movie feels like a movie done action-crime-thriller movie style but without any action in it and also without much thriller elements, since the movie is just not exciting or original enough to allow any of these elements to completely work out.The movie also suffers from an horrible '80's music curse; the '80's music! It's so dreadful, hearing constantly some idiot playing his saxophone as loud as he can, with an occasional guitar and drums joining in. It's a score you can normally expected in a bad porn-flick.Oh well, it's not exactly as if this is THE worst movie ever made but it also isn't exactly a movie I would recommend to anyone, despite the presence of some good big names in it.5/10

Tequila Sunset

Legendary screenwriter Towne's thriller is a slick, watchable story about honour among friends involved (from various perspectives) in a big drug deal. Unfortunately, it's also a load of tosh. The characters are all beautiful (Michelle Pfiffer especially), but completely unconvincing, none more so than Kurt Russell's cop who never seems to do a single day of real police work. The moral complexities of the story lose out to gloss, and a ghastly soundtrack, at every point - even the cleverness of the plot has no impact, so intentionally flat are the characters. Fundamentally this film is all about aspiration - it sells you a lifestyle (good food, beautiful women, golden beaches) and the details are just a peg on which to hang the ad. Passes the time, but there's something fundamentally unpleasant in the whole conceit. A film of the 80s in every sense.

Ain't Love Grand?

Though I cannot deny that it is unbelievably cheesy, filled with practically every cliche one can imagine and contains tons of embarrassing dialogue (especially Kurt Russell's begging speech) and unconvincing love scenes (Mel, will you please kiss her like you mean it and stop squirming!), I LOVE this movie. It satisfies the romantic in my soul. Michelle Pfeiffer, J. T. Walsh and Raul Julia make it worthwhile. My favorite scene is when the former drug dealer, Mac, tells Jo Ann why he hired her lawyer, Andy, as his lawyer and why he felt he needed a veneer of respectability. Pure Magic! Don't you love it when a man will reform for the love of a woman?

No, it never will be a classic, but I enjoy it all the same.

A great film with a turbulent beginning...

A great film with a turbulent beginning--starting with its production from Warner Bros and Harrison Ford pulling out due to conflicts over the screenplay and role respectively; to a carousels of who's who auditioning or being considered for the parts of Nick Frescia (Alec Baldwin and Miami Heat Head Coach (then with the Los Angeles Lakers) Pat Riley were considered for the role of Nick before settling with Kurt Russell) and Dale "Mac" McKussic (Harrison Ford was slated to play this role before he pulled out. Mel Gibson was signed on as his replacement); to admission sales possibly being bloated due to the initial teaser trailer of Tim Burton's Batman (1989) which was shown prior to the film (giddy fans were reported to have paid admission just to see the aforementioned trailer).

Now to the movie. Tequila Sunrise.

Other than knowing it was a film that "may have" won awards (and it did when it captured the Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases and Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures awards), I knew very little else of its history and sadly, even was staring in the film.

As the credits rolled, I even missed the title of film and Gibson's name. But then names of Pfeiffer, Russell, and the late Raul Julia popped up. Now this was certainly something interesting to watch. The lead character, Dale "Mac" McKussic (Gibson), is an ex-drug dealer who is trying to go straight. His "friend," Detective Lieutenant Nicholas "Nick" Frescia (Russell), throughout the film tries to entrap him, believing that he is unable to "go straight." Jo Ann Vallenari (Pfeiffer) is a restaurant owner and the love interest of both men. Vallenari had a consistent "glazed look," and in my opinion, was seemingly on drugs for the duration of the film. And lastly, my "the star of the show," Carlos/Comandante Xavier Escalante (played by the late Raul Julia) who truly made McKussic believe he was a "buddy."

Lastly, for an independent film, I have to tip my hat to Writer and Director Robert Towne--he really believed in this project and his passion was seen throughout the film and in his characters (especially Escalante).

Beautiful people, beautiful location

Michelle Pfeiffer and Mel Gibson have the same eyes! And there's plenty of shots of these two to make both sexes do a little salivating. Every time I watch this film, I catch something new. Die-hard love for the film begins around viewing No. 4. The setting in southern California is captured very well from sunny days at the beach to blazing sunsets to fogged over nights. It's quite intoxicating.

BEST MOVIE EVER

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!!!!!!!

Tiresome Melodrama

A cop (Kurt Russell), a beautiful restaurant owner (Michelle Pfeiffer), and a drug dealer who may or may not have reformed himself (Mel Gibson) cross paths, cross swords, argue, confront, compete, and in general size up each other in this meandering melodrama set in southern California. I couldn't get interested in any of these people or their interpersonal drama, despite the underlying theme of moral ambiguity. At times, the film seems more like a soap opera. Robert Towne's 135 page shooting script is heavy on dialogue, and it shows in the long "takes" and endless talk.One problem with this film is that the story revolves around drug dealing. Through the years this has become such a hackneyed, unimaginative concept that stories like this one run the risk of being stale and tiresome. Second, the plot in "Tequila Sunrise" shifts back and forth between the three leads. I never figured out who the protagonist was.Visually, the film looks good. Color cinematography is quite impressive. I especially liked the evocative sequence with black silhouettes of two characters set against an orange sky at sunset. And there are some technically difficult outdoor camera shots at night on water in fog. The film's background music is jazzy and rather typical of music from the 1980s. Acting is conventional but acceptable."Tequila Sunrise" has a 1970's noir look and feel with a touch of elegance. But I just couldn't get past the drug motif, or interested in any of the three main characters or their personal drama. Despite an impressive visual accomplishment and high production values, Towne's script is the big letdown here.

It just doesn't work

This seems to be one of those films where people either really like it or really don't. I fall into the latter category. The script is convoluted, contrived. The direction is too self-conscious. Towne tries way too hard to do "Chinatown II." But he doesn't have an insouciant character like Jake Gittes here. Kurt Russell could have done it, should have done it, but he isn't allowed to cut loose here, really. Mel, Michelle and Kurt don't strike sparks, in any combination. It's too hard to buy Mel as a drug dealer; he might be able to take on that sort of part now, but back then when he was around 32, young and beautiful, we are supposed to believe this guy spent 15 years dealing drugs. Everybody's just too gosh-darn restrained. Michelle seems to be sleepwalking most of the time. Even the sex scene doesn't work. The film's "Hollywood" ending plays as tacked-on.
J.T. Walsh and Raul Julia were good, though. I'm a fan of all three leads; I think they could do a good movie together; this movie wasn't it.

A really good film with an excellent twist.

This film is all about what was great about the 80's, it has it's own style and all three main actors obviously enjoy there roles. I admit it's not one for challenging your intellect, but it is fun, honest and above all well acted. Great scenery, great story.

Mel Gibson -vs- Kurt Russell

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.

This is my favorite Mel Gibson movie.

Now after saying that, let me say this. I do not think it is his best movie. I realize he has made much better movies. This movie is flawed but if you look hard enough everything is flawed. The reason this is my favorite Mel Gibson movie is A: Mel's performance, it was very good. Probably not his best but he plays paranoid well. B: Raul Julia he was awesome in this. Same with Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell. Next is the story. A tale of a drug dealer trying to clean up his life to impress a restaurant owner, but is derailed by everyone else in his life. His brother is trying to set him up, his high school buddy is trying to stop but not bust him, and steal his would be girl. His other old friend who is supposedly the biggest dealer in Mexico is trying to get him back into dealing. His ex-wife wants his money, the DEA wants him in jail, his lawyer isn't really helping and all his kid wants is his attention. This is a character the has every reason to trust no one and still tries although he is usually right and shouldn't. To me this is a fun film with interesting characters doing what should be uninteresting things. True it all ends in true hollywierd fashion but seeing Michelle Pfeiffer looking great in some power woman suits and Kurt Russell looking like a 50's cigarette poster and trying to be slick is fun. Plus the performance by J.T Walsh (one of my favorite character actors) as the seedy DEA agent makes this worth the time.

Surrender to Me

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

Why over-complicate a story that is really quite simple?

***SPOILER WARNING***No other screenwriter is better at twisting and turning and revealing his plots quite like Robert Towne. At his best we get movies like `Chinatown' one of the best and still most unbelievably twisted movie plots of the past 40 years. When he doesn't try very hard we get movies like `Tequila Sunrise' a twisty, complicated movie that doesn't add up to much – it only seems to.We meet a drug dealer Dale McKussic (Mel Gibson) who because he is played by nice guy Gibson isn't just a drug dealer but a good guy drug-dealer who has retired and now fears that he will lose custody of his son. He has a son and that's another reason why the screenplay requires him to be an EX-drug dealer and such a darned nice guy. He has stopped selling drugs and his wife is giving him a hard time because the cashflow has stopped.Meanwhile his former friend, a cop named Nick Frescia (Kurt Russell) head of an anti-drug division of the sheriff's office gets a hint that a huge shipment is being brought in my McKussic's pal Escalante (the late Raul Julia) and wonders if McKussic might be coming out of retirement.This is all window-dressing for a much simpler story. Both Nick and Dale are in love with the same woman – Jo Anne Vallenari (Michelle Pfieffer) who runs an Italian restaurant. Which man does she love? Their both good, both interesting characters so we don't know.The problem is that Town takes a very simple story and overcomplicates it with mulitple-layers, twists in time and undercurrents so that we aren't sure what is really going on. That stuff adds up to a lot when you have a payoff that is worth it. By it's end `Tequila Sunrise' has a headache-inducing plot supporting three interesting characters in a story that should have been a lot simpler.Rating: **

ALL I CAN SAY IS == WOW! What a GREAT movie!!!

This movie is my favorite. I enjoyed seeing all 4 main stars act together. I loved Pfeiffer starring in a movie with both Gibson and Russell and thought the sex scene between Pfeiffer and Gibson was REALLY wonderful. A great film!

waste of talent, time, and money

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.

A Must See Movie!!

This is an all time drug dealer/love story/ friendship classic tale, done with lots of polish and always fun to watch Mel Gibson too!