TEQUILA SUNRISE

US, 1988, 115 minutes, Colour.
Mel Gibson, Kurt Russell, Michelle Pfeiffer, Raul Julia, J.T.Walsh.
Directed by Robert Towne.

Tequila Sunrise is a psychological thriller focusing on a former drug dealer (Mel Gibson), his friend a policeman (Kurt Russell) and a restaurant owner (Michelle Pfeiffer).

One of the difficulte premises of the film is the sympathy asked for Mel Gibson's character. In terms of the drama, it is elicited from the audience, even though there are doubts. And the question of the impact of drugs and of his turning away from dealing comes together at the end, but may not satisfy everyone. The performances are good, even though some of the dialogue at times is very melodramatically charged. Writing and direction is by Robert Towne, writer of Chinatown and writer-director of Personal Best.

The film is stylishly photographed, has an evocative score - but the plot is quite complex.

1. Interesting and enjoyable thriller? Character study? Romance?

2. The Los Angeles settings: the beach, the sea? Police headquarters? Stylish restaurants? The use of songs, evocative score?

3. The world of drugs and drug-dealing? Los Angeles and Mexico?. Judgments on drugs, dealing, the dealers? The role of the police? A film of the '80s?

4. The complex plot, its credibility, motivations, behaviour? Heightened melodrama?

5. The portrait of the Los Angeles police, federal investigations, Mexican networks (and betrayals)? Police skills, networks? The stupidity of officials? Pressures, personalities, clashes of motivation, the letter of the
law, exposures?

6. Mc as portrayed by Mel Gibson: attractive character, interesting, his background of dealing, his shrewdness, his friendship with Nick? The initial deal, the cocaine in the toilet, the clash with Nick, his escape, the chase? The federal officers and their covering him, taping him? His relationship with Greg, friendship (and Greg betraying him to the federals)? The attraction towards Jo- Ann and her restaurant, his going there, the discussions and meals with Nick? His relationship with his wife, her moods and wanting money? His son - the visits, at the beach, the birthday party and the enjoyment, his magician's tricks, his son injured and taking him home? The complexity of the friendship with Nick, the past, Mexican prison, his spying on Nick and vice versa? The truth? His professional job and reforming? The phone call from Carlos, the set-up, the preparations for Carlos's visit? The friendship with Jo-Ann?, the relationship, her interrogating him for Nick? Her coming to his home for the party, looking after Cody, their talk, the lovemaking (literally steaming)? The arrival of Carlos, the ping-pong game, the psychological fencing, drinking? The television with the bullfighting, Mc's attacks on the matador, provoking Carlos, taking Jo- Ann? The confrontation with Carlos, the shooting? Pursuit? The explosion and giving up the money? At the beach at the end? Audiences liking Mc, condoning, forgiving?

7. Nick and his motivations, Kurt Russell's style? The past, the initial clash and letting hie go? The attraction towards Jo-Ann? and using her for information, helping her with her chef? Telling Jo- Ann the truth? In love with her? The clash with the federals, about being in charge, psychological approaches? The abuse of Hal? The surveillance and his listening? Watching the slides and working out that Greg was the snitch? His saving Jo-Ann? from Carlos? The confrontation with Me, pulling the guns? The confrontation with Carlos, shooting Hal? The condoning of his shooting Hal? The end -giving Mc and Jo-Ann? to each other?

8. Jo- Ann and her style, personality, the efficient running of the restaurant, her staff, the questions about the chef, her relationship with her brother? Her attraction towards Me and his dining there? Attracted towards Nick, talking to him, romance, asking questions for him? Me and the birthday party? Cody and her care for him? The lovemaking with Mc, being taken by Carlos, rescued by Mc, the ending?

9. Hal and the federals, their methods, tactics, surveillance, stupidity, obsessed? The irony of the Mexican contacts and Escalante being Carlos? Greg and his.death? The final shoot-out and the obsessive shooting at Mc? Killed by Nick?

10. Carlos and his macho style, as Escalante and his men, the surveillance, the clash with Mc, the question of the matador, the taking of Jo-Ann?, the drunken exchange, the mutual shooting, the destruction of the money?

11. Andrew Leonard and the law, lawyers and their clients, the drug deal? Greg and his relationship with Mc, giving information to the federals?

12. The background of police and police work, the lifeguards on the beach?

13. Psychological drama, romantic drama? Police action? The background of drug dealing in the '80s?