Writer-director Robert Towne’s late 80s neo-noir is getting a limited edition 4K release (on both UHD and Blu-ray) from Arrow Films in a set that will also include a booklet featuring new writing on the film from Sean Hogan and Josh Nelson.
Dale ‘Mac’ McKussic (Mel Gibson) and Nick Frescia (Kurt Russell) were childhood buddies. While Mac went on to become a drug dealer, Nick became a cop. Now Nick’s a detective while Mac is apparently retired from the drugs business. However, news that the mysterious drug lord Carlo is coming to town has the police keen to keep tabs on Mac as they know each other well.
Meanwhile, both Mac and Nick get involved with restaurateur Jo Ann Vallenari (Michelle Pfeiffer), further complicating things. When the Mexican drug squad headed by Commandante Xavier Escalante (Raul Julia) get involved as well, events reach a head.
A Tequila Sunrise is a cocktail made from tequila, orange juice and grenadine, and apart from Mel chugging a couple, the title here (probably) refers to the love triangle between the three leads. For a movie from one of Hollywood’s most respected screenwriters, TEQUILA SUNRISE is surprisingly slow and uneventful. Certainly some of the dialogue crackles and there are some memorable speeches and one-liners, but the whole thing adds up to not very much indeed plotwise. However, if you’re a fan of the leads, or of DP Conrad Hall’s cinematography (which is excellent) those might be reasons enough to make you want to take a look at this one. Just don’t expect anything on the level of Towne's screenplay for CHINATOWN.
Arrow’s disc comes with a commentary track by producer Thom Mount (who comes in at around the 43 second mark so wait for it), who also provides a new 21 minute interview. There are also interviews with second assistant director Robert Roda (17 minutes) and Lala Sloatman (16 minutes) who played ‘Sin Sister 2’. Lucy Bolton provides a very useful appreciation and overview of Towne’s career (25 minutes), plus you get the usual trailers and image gallery.
Robert Towne’s TEQUILA SUNRISE is out on 4K from Arrow in both UHD and Blu-ray editions on Monday 14th September 2026
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