Review of Tequila Sunrise (1988) by Rob C — 24 Sep 2009

Kurt Russell never disappoints on screen. He plays Nick Frescia, a cop assigned to his good friend Mac Mckussic (Mel Gibson) and his coke dealing investigation. Little does everyone know, Mac has left that all behind him and is trying to go straight. Nick trusts he has, but he's a little skeptical and gets closer to Jo Ann (Michelle Pfeiferr), the owner of a restaurant Mac frequents. He's also skeptical on whether she's in on his drug dealing transactions through her business and confronts her about it. A romantic fling ensues almost immediately, all the while Mac has had a crush on her as well, which is the reason why he's always in her restaurant. Something he later tells her which has her second guessing her attraction to Nick. Somehow that doesn't come between Nick and Mac's relationship. That all becomes more compromised when Jo Ann witnesses a murder and some exchanging of money that Mexican druglord Carlos (Raul Julia), his men and the victim are engaged in. Carlos also happens to be Mac's very good friend and partner.

Tequila Sunrise was named after the alcoholic beverage Mac drinks throughout the film. A great drink, might I add. Mel Gibson has that screen presence that can reel you in. Sadly, his best acting days were when he was younger. Raul Julia always delivers an amazing performance and here is no different. Imagine how many more great movies he could of starred in if he were still alive.