Tequila Sunrise is a 1988 American crime thriller film written and directed by Robert Towne. It stars Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell, with Raúl Juliá, J. T. Walsh, Arliss Howard and Gabriel Damon in supporting roles.
The film, only the second (after Personal Best) to be both written and directed by Academy Award"winning screenwriter Towne, was commercially successful, making over $100 million at the box office worldwide, but critical reception was mixed. One reviewer was of the opinion that, "perhaps because the elements were so irresistible"?Robert Towne directing Gibson, Russell and Pfeiffer in a California crime film"?an aura of disappointment settled over Tequila Sunrise, no matter how engaging, and profitable, it turned out to be."