Tequila Sunrise
In a seaside California town, best friends Mac and Nick are on opposite sides of the law. Mac is a former drug dealer trying to clean up his act, while Nick is a high-profile detective trying to take down a Mexican drug lord named Carlos. Soon Nick's loyalties are put to the test when he begins an affair with restaurateur Jo Ann -- a love interest of Mac's -- unwittingly leading his friend into a police-orchestrated trap.
Critics Sentiment
Mexican commandante Escalante meets Nick giving him a pistol gesture
Mac and Carlos struggle over the pistol and Carlos dies accidentally
The film peaks with Raul Julia's charismatic introduction as Escalante but drops significantly in the final action sequences that critics found disappointing.
Critics consistently praised the atmospheric first half with strong dialogue and character work, particularly Russell's performance and the compelling love triangle. However, the film suffered from a weak final act that abandoned its noir strengths for conventional Miami Vice-style action that most reviewers found uninspired. Julia's magnetic screen presence provided the film's highest moments whenever he appeared.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 33
Mel Gibson
Dale "Mac" McKussic
Michelle Pfeiffer
Jo Ann Vallenari
Kurt Russell
Lieutenant Nick Frescia
Raúl Juliá
Commandante Xavier Escalante
J.T. Walsh
DEA Agent Hal McGuire
Arliss Howard
Gregg Lindroff
Arye Gross
Andy Leonard
Gabriel Damon
Cody McKussic
Daniel Zacapa
Arturo, bartender at Vallenari's (credited as Garret Pearson)
Tom Nolan
Leland
Eric Thiele
Vittorio
Dawn Martel
Sin Sister #1
Lala Sloatman
Sin Sister #2
Budd Boetticher
Judge Nizetitch
Ann Magnuson
Shaleen McKussic
Kenny Moore
Woody
Jason Randal
Magician
Bob Swain
Ralph Spudder
Jim Bentley
Cop
Eric Waterhouse
Steve
Crew
Write a Review
Rate each story beat:
