Not just another Tequila Sunrise
TODAY'S RETRO-REVIEW: 1988's Tequila Sunrise, starring Mel Gibson, Kurt Russell and Michelle Pfeiffer. Directed and written by Robert Towne, the movie's title seemingly has no significance in the movie whatsoever, except that Gibson's character enjoys that particular drink. So what?
THE PLOT: Gibson plays a longtime drug dealer who wants to go legit. Russell, an old high school pal, is a cop who has been charged with nailing Gibson before he can retire. To do so, he'll use Pfeiffer, a sexy restaurant owner who has caught the eye of Gibson. (Sounds boring, but it really isn't.) It might be each actor's best work in the 80s. (Nah, that's going too far.)
MAYBE YOU REMEMBER: The late, great Raul Julia playing the ping-pong loving Mexican drug kingpin. Julia is so likable that even though he's technically the villain (or is it the Fed played by the also late, great J.T. Walsh?), you can't really hate him.
SURELY YOU CAN'T FORGET: The decade's hottest sex scene -- which doesn't actually show any actual nudity. Seriously, Gibson and Pfeiffer will make you warm all over 20 years later.
THE TUNES: Impressive, especially by cop-movie standards. The Church's "Unsubstantiated" is here. So is "Recurring Dream" by Crowded House. And a gem by Robin Zander and Ann Wilson called "Surrender To Me." Even a Duran Duran song ("Do You Believe In Shame?"). Click here for the full listing.
WHAT THE CRITICS SAID: "There are times when the movie seems to be complicated simply for the purpose of puzzlement, when additional layers of confusion are added as a sort of exercise having nothing to do with the plot." -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times.
WHY WE LOVE IT ANYWAY: No character is completely likeable. No character is completely detestable. Just like real life, my friends. Plus, it falls under the "Raul Julia Rule," which states that every movie with him in it is pretty watchable. (You doubt me? Try "Moon Over Parador.")
TOP 5 LINES FROM TEQUILA SUNRISE:
5. "Your lips keep getting stuck on your teeth. Is that your idea of a smile?"
4. "You go to a good deal of trouble to explain an inconsequential event, Lieutenant."
3. "You f--- like a world champion. ... I got hungry just watching you."
2. "Don't worry, buddy. I won't kill her unless you approve."
1. "It didn't hurt that bad. Just looking at you hurts more."
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
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Try Raul Julia in "Overdrawn at the Memory Bank" (released the same year as Kiss of the Spider Woman '85 was not a good year for Raul)... a movie so horrible it made it onto Mystery Science Theater 3000. That might make you revise your theory.
Posted by: vince | October 11, 2007 at 04:13 PM
my favorite line from the movie was "escalante? carlos IS escalante!" but, admittedly, i love that line because of the way my co-worker back in the day used to say it all the time. i have no idea why he said it all the time, but he did.
Posted by: jim webster | October 10, 2007 at 10:01 PM
Remember, it's just another Tequila Sunrise. Mel before his meltdown.
Posted by: Kristen | October 10, 2007 at 09:48 AM
I'll confess I never saw that particular flick. I'll have to reassess the rule if I ever get a chance to see it.
Posted by: Spears | October 09, 2007 at 08:03 PM
Your "Raul Julia Rule" has one fatal flaw..."Kiss Of the Spider Woman". That movie is one I just cant watch.
Posted by: | October 09, 2007 at 07:55 PM