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Tequila Sunrise (1988)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 5.1/10
Reviews Counted: 18
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 9

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 3

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Average Rating: 2.9/5
User Ratings: 26,649

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Movie Info

For his first directorial project in six years, Robert Towne selected a timeworn romantic-triangle yarn, injecting the material with subtlety and conviction. 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

R, 1 hr. 56 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

Directed By: Robert Towne

In Theaters: Dec 2, 1988 Wide

On DVD: Oct 30, 1997

Cast

Mel Gibson
Dale McKussic
Michelle Pfeiffer
Jo Ann Vallenari
Kurt Russell
Lt. Nick Frescia
Raul Julia
Escalante/Carlos
J.T. Walsh
Maguire
Arliss Howard
Gregg Lindroff
Ann Magnuson
Shaleen
Arye Gross
Andy Leonard
Gabriel Damon
Cody McKussic
Oscar Abadia
Himself
Jim Bentley
Cop
Budd Boetticher
Judge Nizetitch
LaLa
Sin Sister No. 2
Dawn Martel
Sin Sister
Tom Nolan
Leland
Garret Pearson
Arturo
Ely Pouget
David Rees Snell
Men At Party
Geno Silva
Mexican Cop
John D. Steele
Men At Party
Eric Thiele
Vittorio
Bob Swaim
Ralph Spudder
Daniel Addes
Pepe
Tomas Goros
Carlos' Man
Scott Harms
Lifeguard
Austin Hawk
Lifeguard
Jim Ladd
Himself
Kenneth C. Moore
Woody
Jason Randal
Magician
Tom Schnabel
Himself
Eric Waterhouse
Steve
Efrain Figueroa
Carlos' Man
Daniel Zacapa
Sarah Scott Davis
Girl in Restaurant

Critic Reviews for Tequila Sunrise

All Critics (20) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (9) | DVD (2)

A long, teasing trailer for a film not yet made.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

In a world where everyone is some kind of insider, the viewer may feel left out in the cold.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

An intriguing movie with interesting characters, but it might have worked better if it had found a cleaner narrative line from beginning to end.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

A project with the ingredients for greatness that nonetheless came out half-baked.

April 6, 2009 Full Review Source: The Screengrab

| Comment

Nick Schager

The Screengrab

atmospheric and intriguing

September 19, 2004 Comment

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Really bad.

July 15, 2004 Comment

Alex Sandell

Juicy Cerebellum

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Tequila Sunrise

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Two friends on different sides of the law head for a showdown - only they're not on different sides at all, so there's no showdown, and so this film ends feeling like coitus interuptus. You think you're going somewhere but yer not. Its a good looking film though.

September 14, 2011

moon rivers

Super Reviewer

A boring and predictable thriller with an all star cast.

September 6, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

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