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Tequila Sunrise Reviews

1998 DVD Certificate 15.gif
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 2709 members

A former drug dealer trying to leave the business once and for all comes up against his best friend, a narcotics cop. Also caught in the net of suspicion is the beautiful restaurant owner with whom they're both in love. Academy Award Nominations: Best Cinematography. Read more

Starring Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell, Raul Julia
Director Robert Towne
Genres Drama

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  • Critics' reviews (4) of Tequila Sunrise

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    Writer/director Robert Towne has done better work, as scriptwriter on classic movies such as Chinatown, for example, but this thriller is still an extremely entertaining example of his work. Kurt Russell and Mel Gibson star as the former schoolfriends who have gone their separate ways, Russell into the police force and Gibson into drug dealing. When Gibson plans a final trade-off, Russell tries to persuade his old chum against the deal. Michelle Pfeiffer plays the restaurant owner who becomes romantically involved with both men. Towne occasionally allows his wordiness to get between the viewer and the characters, but the fine cast (which also includes Raul Julia and JT Walsh) and Conrad Hall's Oscar-nominated cinematography provide ample compensation.

    • Radio Times
  • A romantic thriller which confirms Towne's outstanding talent as a screenwriter, but like Personal Best, leaves doubts... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • "...A fine place to watch [Pfeiffer] insinuate herself....[She] make[s] it her own..." -- Rating: B

    • Entertainment Weekly
  • Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Tequila Sunrise

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  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    TOP MOVIE !!!

    Tequila Sunrise stars Mel Gibson and Kurt Russell as two lifelong friends who, in true James Cagney-Pat O'Brien fashion, grow up on the opposite sides of the law. One is a retired drug dealer (at least he says he is), the other a 'celebrity' cop. Both fall in love with gorgeous restaurateur Michelle Pfeiffer. Veteran movie buffs will enjoy spotting director Budd Boetticher as a judge, and will welcome the presence in the production credits of cinematographer Conrad Hall, who earned an Oscar nomination for his richly textured color camerawork.

      • A customer from GLASGOW
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    This was an ok dvd but not what you would normaly see mel gibson in. l did enjoy the movie but not as much as other mel movies.

      • A customer from AYR
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    sizzling ! but dull storyline

    The critics have slated this one as dull and un-interesting, but it's one of my favourite because it's got two great actors in it : Mel and Michelle. A thoroughly enjoyable Saturday night movie - good/bad guys, sexy love-interest, a stake-out, Mexican druglords, custody battles, and a beach-house with a great view. So it's not Lethal Weapon, so what !

      • baberuth from Docklands, London
  • Most recent members' reviews (2) of Tequila Sunrise

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  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    This was an ok dvd but not what you would normaly see mel gibson in. l did enjoy the movie but not as much as other mel movies.

      • A customer from AYR
  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    TOP MOVIE !!!

    Tequila Sunrise stars Mel Gibson and Kurt Russell as two lifelong friends who, in true James Cagney-Pat O'Brien fashion, grow up on the opposite sides of the law. One is a retired drug dealer (at least he says he is), the other a 'celebrity' cop. Both fall in love with gorgeous restaurateur Michelle Pfeiffer. Veteran movie buffs will enjoy spotting director Budd Boetticher as a judge, and will welcome the presence in the production credits of cinematographer Conrad Hall, who earned an Oscar nomination for his richly textured color camerawork.

      • A customer from GLASGOW
  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    TOP MOVIE !!!

    Tequila Sunrise stars Mel Gibson and Kurt Russell as two lifelong friends who, in true James Cagney-Pat O'Brien fashion, grow up on the opposite sides of the law. One is a retired drug dealer (at least he says he is), the other a 'celebrity' cop. Both fall in love with gorgeous restaurateur Michelle Pfeiffer. Veteran movie buffs will enjoy spotting director Budd Boetticher as a judge, and will welcome the presence in the production credits of cinematographer Conrad Hall, who earned an Oscar nomination for his richly textured color camerawork.

      • A customer from GLASGOW
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    This was an ok dvd but not what you would normaly see mel gibson in. l did enjoy the movie but not as much as other mel movies.

      • A customer from AYR
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    sizzling ! but dull storyline

    The critics have slated this one as dull and un-interesting, but it's one of my favourite because it's got two great actors in it : Mel and Michelle. A thoroughly enjoyable Saturday night movie - good/bad guys, sexy love-interest, a stake-out, Mexican druglords, custody battles, and a beach-house with a great view. So it's not Lethal Weapon, so what !

      • baberuth from Docklands, London
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    tequila slammer

    ok film ok ending- bog standard hollow characters and meaningless script with clueless ending although aged,it is predictably askew-intriguing overhype.ok if u on more than 4 a month

      • A customer from London
  • Rated - 2 stars

    Can anyone explain the end?

    I enjoyed parts of this film and I am not criticising it because it's not Lethal Weapon. The trouble was it left too many questions throughout which was frustrating. You just didn't know whether any of the characters were legitimate. Ok you need some mystery but you also need to believe something about a character so that when it turns out to be wrong you are surprised. And if anyone could shed some light onto the rather abrupt ending I would be grateful.

      • A customer from Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Rated - 5 stars

    A Good Film

    All i have to say is it was 'A Good Film' Highly Recommend...

      • crazysexycool from Barnet, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
  • Rated - 1 star [Highly rated reviewer]

    a celebs c movie

    with a star cast you would have thought this film to be all action,not a cops and robbers shoot out film,more of a love story,really cringe making,i struggled to keep my eyes open.

      • chas from blackpool,england
  • Rated - 3 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Mediocre 80's flick

    Disappointing movie considering the 3 main actors would normally denote a classic 80's film.

    Never really gets going even though there is a couple of twists in the plot, it doesnt have the impact that the other Gibson & Russell films of those days provided.

  • Rated - 3 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Dated a little

    It's dated a little but it still holds enough 80s slickness with it's music and characterisations. It loses it towards the end but Kurt Russell and Mel Gibson are great together.

      • Harv from London
  • Critics' reviews (4)

  • 3 stars out of 5

    Writer/director Robert Towne has done better work, as scriptwriter on classic movies such as Chinatown, for example, but this thriller is still an extremely entertaining example of his work. Kurt Russell and Mel Gibson star as the former schoolfriends who have gone their separate ways, Russell into the police force and Gibson into drug dealing. When Gibson plans a final trade-off, Russell tries to persuade his old chum against the deal. Michelle Pfeiffer plays the restaurant owner who becomes romantically involved with both men. Towne occasionally allows his wordiness to get between the viewer and the characters, but the fine cast (which also includes Raul Julia and JT Walsh) and Conrad Hall's Oscar-nominated cinematography provide ample compensation.

    • Radio Times
  • A romantic thriller which confirms Towne's outstanding talent as a screenwriter, but like Personal Best, leaves doubts... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • "...A fine place to watch [Pfeiffer] insinuate herself....[She] make[s] it her own..." -- Rating: B

    • Entertainment Weekly
  • Wordy thriller in which everyone goes through the motions without much enthusiasm.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide

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    • A former drug dealer trying to leave the business once and for all comes up against his best friend, a narcotics cop. Also caught in the net of suspicion is the beautiful restaurant owner with whom ...

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2,709 Member ratings
  • 100
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116
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112
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