Tequila Sunrise
by Robert Towne
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: J.T. Walsh, Kurt Russell, Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Raul JuliaDirector: Robert Towne
Brand: Warner Brothers
Cinematographer: Conrad L. Hall
Writer: Robert Towne
Editor: Claire Simpson
Producer: Thom Mount
Producer: Tom Shaw
DVD: 2 Sides, Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 1.85:1
Running Time: 115 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1997-10-29
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Movie Reviews of Tequila Sunrise
Movie Review: Just Another Tequila Sunrise
Summary: 3 Stars
A few months back I was doing some research on the theme of "friendship on film." It was for a film series I was running, and while there were literally hundreds of possibilities for female friends, the array of serious or even just "solid" genre films about male bonding seemed relatively paltry. (I wish I could have had access to a list I saw published online just last week about film's concerning "bromances"--that certainly gave me a few belated ideas.)
One film that came up in a few lists I consulted was one that I had seen quite a few years ago, Robert Towne's sunlit noir TEQUILA SUNRISE. I only remembered the film vaguely, but since it concerned best friends on the opposite side of the law, it seemed like it might have some possibilities. (The only other thing that stuck in my head all these years, oddly enough, was the fact that at one point Michelle Pfeiffer's restauranteur character promises an ailing child that she'll send over some "angel hair pasta" for him--and although I could easily surmise what it was, I was astonished that there was a pasta I had never heard of, but then you must understand that the Italian "cuisine" of my childhood was pretty much limited to Chef Boy-ar-dee, and I've been playing catch-up my whole adult life.)
However, when "angel hair pasta" is one of the few things you can recall about a film, you know you're in trouble. Still the attractive cast and the "friendship" theme made me think it might well be worth another look. It was. But just barely. Perhaps I'm being unkind. Let's put it this way: if my film series were going to be truly extensive, then including this decided "non-masterpiece," might have been viable. It IS all about the theme of "friendship" and how that theme might be treated in a genre film (particularly a latter day genre film) could make for some interesting discussion.
So why did I pass on it? It certainly addressed my theme: in fact, at some point or other, pretty much EVERY character makes some pithy (or not so pithy) statement about the nature of friendship. But just as the movie as a whole takes on too many confusing twists and turns, its reflections on the friendship theme were all pretty muddled. Probably the most clearheaded commentary on the theme comes from Raul Julia's admittedly complex charactern when he rants (pretty sophomorically) about how one cannot choose one's family and that one's, uh, libido may misguide one in matters of the heart, BUT friendship should be the ONE relationship you can count on.
Or some such.
Did I mention the plot is a confusing mess? So much so it actually compelled me to go back and re-watch the beginning to see what I had missed. (That makes two and a half viewings, which is--as some critics like to snipe--about five hours of my life that I'll never get back. I'm not complaining though since I didn have plenty of nachos and dip). Finally, it did start to make sense, but to tell the truth there were some points that I still didn't get until I started reading other reviews here and elsewhere. I can be pretty dense about mysteries sometimes (guess I'm just naive), but I'm not too bad at character analysis, but even here the film falls down.
TEQUILA SUNRISE is a rather elaborate mystery-thriller which WANTS to be more than that. And if it's not quite out to make a truly GRAND statement about friendship, romantic love OR angel hair pasta, it's at least trying to make a substantial one on at least two of those subjects.
Summary of Tequila Sunrise
The mix is dangerous the romance is sizzling the action is explosive with three of the most exciting performers on screen at any one time. A cool cunning drama of friendship and betrayal a seductive blend of action and romance. Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 02/08/2005 Starring: Mel Gibson Kurt Russell Run time: 116 minutes Rating: R Director: Robert TowneRobert 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 honor. 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
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