Rating: 
Summary: Noir-ish Fun under the SoCal Sun
Review: ...is how I view this film by writer Robert Towne (Chinatown, Personal Best, etc.), who also directs here. Tequila Sunrise is a wonderful, layered neo-noir set in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Others have criticized this film for being confusing, but at its core, it is a solid character based melodrama laced with a little ambiguity and ever-moving boundaries. Just about everyone in this film is not quite what you'd assume. If you like films that need close watching, with intricate character motives--regardless of clear moral distinctions--this is it.Set in the 1980's, T.S. is a story of deceit, and betrayal, but primarily friendships. Mel Gibson plays Dale (Mac) McKussic, a retired South Bay cocaine smuggler of legendary proportions. Gibson is one actor who plays many hero types on-screen, but who is not afraid to convey the darker aspects of a character. Many other big names in Hollywood wouldn't take on this type of role. Here Mac wants to stay out of the drug business for a more normal life. But, as he puts it, "nobody wants me to quit." Not so much opposing him, but being the flip side of a morally dubious coin, is Lt. Nick Frescia, who heads up L.A. Sheriff's drug enforcement unit. The vastly underrated Kurt Russell plays this character as a smart, slick operator capable of breaking the law when it helps him enforce it. Like Mel, Kurt is quite capable of playing the ambiguous lead (and make you like/hate him at the same time). To really begin to understand these the two leads, though, southern Cal native Robert Towne gets to sprinkle some marvelous, sharp dialogue to their history. Friends since youth (and probably long time rivals), these two veered to opposite, but parallel paths by an incident alluded to in early character conversations. The two have a continuing yet uneasy connection. Here, Towne has a keen eye to those strangest of relationships: those life-long friendships that come out of cauldron known as "high school." The primary impetus for the trouble to come is from the outside. For Nick, it's the unwelcome intervention by D.E.A. agent Hal Maguire, done to slimy perfection by the late J.T. Walsh. Smarmy, and not the sharpest knife in the drawer, he forces Nick to try and nail his friend Mac (who he likes) to do his job for him (who he hates) so as to keep him out of federal hands. For Mac, coincidentally, it's the complication of his friend/drug overlord "Carlos" coming to town to clear up "an accounting problem." Without giving too much away, lets say that the late great Raul Julia gets to have loads of fun playing the mysterious Mexican cop Javier Escalante brought in by Maguire to help arrest this crimelord. The gorgeous Michelle Pheiffer plays Jo Ann Vallenari. She is the tough but tender restaurateur Mac longs for throughout the story. The problem with that is Nick immediately sees her as someone who can help him with his case against Mac. However, he's just not prepared for his feelings and the resulting consequences. Tequila Sunrise is nothing if not a primer on the twists and turns of friendships and moral implications. This movie can be difficult to follow, but if you stick with it, by the end, it's worth it. Watch for some great cinematography done by Conrad Hall. The DVD edition has a good commentary track by Producer Thom Mount with insights on the production and how it evolved to it's final cut.
Rating:
Summary: Good Thriller Mel Gibson looks tooclean cut for drug dealing
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: A DVD review
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.
Rating: 
Summary: well made and stylish . . .
Review: But for me at least, I found it rather hard to root for Mel Gibson's character, given the fact that he was a major, major drug dealer. When the movie ended with him more or less riding off into the sunset with Michelle Pfeiffer and all the loot, I didn't find myself feeling exactly uplifted by it. Given the fact that the movie bent over backwards to depict Gibson as a loving father, a phenomenally successful businessman, and a super-stud, one might fairly say that this movie glamorizes drug-dealing.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic. Wish more movies were of this caliber.
Review: First of all, leave it to Leonard Maltin to misjudge another movie. I don't know why it still surprises me sometimes. This movie has all the style and story which makes me want to watch it again and again. Sparks really fly between Gibson and Pfieffer. The supporting cast is excellent. My favorite of whom is of course Raul Julia. Fantastic. The story is a little confusing the first time through. But this is irrelevant on further viewings. I highly recommend this to purchace. You will never grow tired of it.
Rating:
Summary: BEST MOVIE EVER
Review: 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!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Movie
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: waste of talent, time, and money
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: An old-fashioned story with new generation stars
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Trashy shamelessness
Review: I rent this movie ever so often just to luxuriate in the smaltzy Dave Grusin soundtrack and the beautiful eyes of all the leads-Mel Gibson, Michelle Pheiffer and Kurt Russell. The chemistry between the 3 of them is palapable and there are just some wonderful moments but overall the film is pretty lame, especially the last third. For some bizarre reason, I think Mel use a body double during the love scene in the hot tub. If you feel cheated however as I did, it is definately his bare tush in Lethal Weapon and he is breathtakingly beautiful in his blue bikini in Tim!
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