Sunset (1988)

17% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
35% of users liked it
(2,563 ratings)

Director Blake Edwards departed from his customary sex farces to direct an unusual satirical Western comedy-thriller. In 1927, legendary lawman Wyatt Earp (James Garner) comes to Hollywood to serve as an advisor to a film studio making a movie about Earp's life. He meets silent screen cowboy star… More Director Blake Edwards departed from his customary sex farces to direct an unusual satirical Western comedy-thriller. In 1927, legendary lawman Wyatt Earp (James Garner) comes to Hollywood to serve as an advisor to a film studio making a movie about Earp's life. He meets silent screen cowboy star Tom Mix (Bruce Willis). The two stumble upon a murder that has apparently occurred on the set but is linked to a renowned bordello. The aging cowboy and the young actor set off on a series of time-warp misadventures to try to solve the mystery. Along the way, they encounter the shady Alfie Alperin (Malcom McDowell) and the intriguing Cheryl King (Mariel Hemingway). ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Blake Edwards, F.W. Murnau's
Written By: Rod Amateau, Blake Edwards
Genres: Western, Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1927 Wide
On DVD: May 22, 2001
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Vincent Canby, New York Times
It's a plot that unravels on its own, without characters, without anything, not even a point of view. It's a zombie.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Ultimately, Sunset plays like deluxe dinner theater fare. It's a diversion to take along with your after-meal coffee and dessert.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Half of the movie wants to be cheerful, and the other half seems morbid and disenchanted.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
A tale that is not quite a comedy, or a murder mystery, or a crime thriller, or an expose of Hollywood slime, but manages to make half-hearted stabs in all these directions.
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
One of the biggest flops of 1988, Blake Edwards' Sunset is highly uneven, but gorgeous period production values and the easy-going charm of Garner and Willis save it.
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Garner's a great Earp (see "Hour of the Gun") but this witless movie trashes not one but two great Western legends.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
A misfire on all counts
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Better than you'd think.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

David S

Re-watched this last night with my dad. We used to watch this film over and over when I was younger and although I never remember it being great I always used to enjoy it. It's still fun and the film has a great period detail look to it. Bruce Willis wasn't yet the big star… More
Re-watched this last night with my dad. We used to watch this film over and over when I was younger and although I never remember it being great I always used to enjoy it. It's still fun and the film has a great period detail look to it. Bruce Willis wasn't yet the big star he would become (although he would do 'Die Hard' that year) but had worked with Blake Edwards on 'Blind Date' and brings a lot of his Moonlighting charm to the role of real life cowboy star Tom Mix. However James Garner is the star here and steals the film from Willis. He would do the same again in a few years in 'Maverick' with Mel Gibson. This is probably one of the first hollywood villains Malcolm McDowell played and is loosely based on Chaplin. The whole thing is a lot of fun and an innocent way to spend a couple of hours. And remember, it's all true...give or take a lie or two.

Cast

            Bruce Willis as Tom Mix

            James Garner as Wyatt Earp

            Malcolm McDowell as Alfie Alperin

            Mariel Hemingway as Cheryl King

            Kathleen Quinlan as Nancy Shoemaker

            Jennifer Edwards as Victoria Alperin

            Patricia Hodge as Christina Alperin

            Richard Bradford as Capt. Blackworth

            M. Emmet Walsh as Chief Dibner

            Joe Dallesandro as Dutch Kieffer

            Andreas Katsulas as Arthur

            Dermot Mulroney as Michael Alperin

            Kenny Call as Cowboy Fred

            Luis Contreras as Jail Inmate

            Robert Covarrubias as Jail Inmate

            Richard Fancy as Academy Speaker

            Dann Florek as Marty Goldberg

            Castulo Guerra as Pancho

            Michael C. Gwynne as Mooch

            Eric Harrison as Alperin Butler

            Grant Heslov as Car Attendant

            Peter Jason as Frank Coe

            Arnold Johnson as Mix Butler

            John Dennis Johnston as Ed

            Irene Olga Lopez as Asuncion Maria Romero

            Bill Marcus as Hal Flynn

            Dakin Matthews as William Singer

            Rod McCary as Douglas Fairbanks

            Charles Noland as Jail Inmate

            F. William Parker as Mayor of Pasadena

            Jeris Poindexter as Cleaning Man

            J.A. Preston
            
            Dennis Rucker as Paul

            Bing Russell as Studio Guard

            Glenn Shadix as Roscoe Arbuckle

            Don Sparks as Reporter

            Dona Speir
            
            Tom Tarpey as Reporter

            Tessa Taylor as Candy Store Girl

            Maureen Teefy as Stagecoach Lady

            Liz Torres as Rosa

            Jerry Tullos as Leo Vogel

            Jon Van Ness as Director

            Teri Weigel
            
            Vernon Wells as Australian Houseman

            Sonia Zimmer as Dibner's Secretary

            Miranda Garrison as Spanish Dancer

            Darren McGavin
            
            Lisa Alpert as Michael's Secretary

            Bill Applegate as Jail Inmate

            P. Randall Bowers as Assistant Director

            John Fountain as John Gilbert

            Jack Garner as Cowboy Henry

            Krista Gray as Reporter

            Melanie Jones as Reporter

            Darrah Meeley as Reporter

            Amy Michelson as Alfie's First Wife

            Katie Morgan as Reporter

            James O'Connell as Gate Guard

            Marina Palmier as Candy Store Girl

            Dolalin Patton as Girl at Lunch

            Paula Kay Perry as Girl at Lunch

            Steem Tanney as Conductor

            Jimmy Lewis as Jail Guard

            Janet Gaynor
            
            George O'Brien
            
            Margaret Livingston
            
            Joe Dellesandro
            
See full cast