Watch Tequila Sunrise

Mel Gibson stars as Dale "Mac" McKussie, a former drug dealer trying to reform. He is a devoted father but may lose his son to his ex-wife. Mac has had financial difficulties since retiring from selling drugs. His ex-wife is angry the money stream has stopped. His friend Nick Frescia is played by Kurt Russell. A Los Angeles County detective, Nick is honor bound to arrest Mac if he begins to sell drugs again.

A DEA Agent named Hal Maguire played by J. T. Walsh, believes that Mac is connected to a Mexican drug kingpin named Carlos. He works closely with a Mexican police officer name Xavier Escalante portrayed by Raul Julia. Agent Maguire needs information on Carlos before he escorts a drug shipment to town. Mac and Nick enjoy an Italian restaurant owned by Michelle Pfeiffer's character, Jo Ann Vallenari. Mac is infatuated with Jo Ann, but is too shy to ask her out. He is upset when she accepts a date from Nick and this causes tension between the good friends. It is further complicated by the fact Nick is using Jo Ann to get information on Mac.