Tequila Sunrise (1988)

Director:

Robert Towne

Writer (WGA):

Robert Towne (written by)

Release Date:

2 December 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

Un cocktail explosif [French]

Plot:

Mac Mckussic is an unlikely drug dealer who wants to go straight. His old and best friend Nick Frescia...

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | Drug Dealer | Police | Mexican | Friendship

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Mel Gibson	...	Dale 'Mac' McKussic
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Jo Ann Vallenari
Kurt Russell	...	Det. Lt. Nicholas 'Nick' Frescia
Raul Julia	...	Carlos / Comandante Xavier Escalante
J.T. Walsh	...	DEA Agent Hal Maguire
Gabriel Damon	...	Cody McKussic
Arliss Howard	...	Gregg Lindroff
Arye Gross	...	Andy Leonard
Daniel Zacapa	...	Arturo, Bartender at Vallenari's (as Garret Pearson)
Eric Thiele	...	Vittorio Vallenari
Tom Nolan	...	Leland
Dawn Martel	...	Sin Sister #1
Lala Sloatman	...	Sin Sister #2 (as Lala)
Budd Boetticher	...	Judge Nizetitch
Ann Magnuson	...	Shaleen McKussic

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Philippines:R-18 | Netherlands:6 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Finland:K-16 | Singapore:M18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Manhattan Beach, California, USA

Company:

The Mount Company

Trivia:

When the film was first released, the initial teaser trailer for Batman (1989) was attached to prints of the film. When word got out about the teaser, fans were so excited about seeing the teaser that some people paid admission just to get a glimpse of the trailer.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Pfeiffer is at the police station getting her chef released, Russell pulls up and parks directly in front of her car. When they leave the station, his car isn't there and Pfeiffer is able to drive away unobstructed.

Quotes:

Hal Maguire: Come on Nick. Escalante's waiting. He wants to give you a token of his government's friendship.
Nick Frescia: What?
Maguire: A gun. What can I say? He's Mexican.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

Soundtrack:

Surrender To Me

an unusual mix

A return to adult filmmaking is robert towne's tequila sunrise. There is more here than the average girl gets in the middle of two boy story. This is a very entertaining and intriguing mix of characterizations and the meanings of friendship. Robert towne writes well rounded characters and situations that may on page seem fantastic but come across very natural on screen. The cinematography is top notch by conrad hall further proving his talent.