Watch Sunset
- R
- 1988
- 1 hr 47 min
-
5.7 (4,688)
Sunset is a 1988 action-comedy film directed by Blake Edwards and starring Bruce Willis, James Garner, and Malcolm McDowell. Set in Hollywood during the 1920s, the movie tells the story of two famous Hollywood detectives, Tom Mix (Garner) and Wyatt Earp (Willis), who are hired by a wealthy businessman to find his missing girlfriend, and in the process, stumble upon a conspiracy involving corrupt police officers, movie moguls, and a psychotic hitman.
The movie is loosely based on the actual friendship between Tom Mix and Wyatt Earp, who were both famous in their respective fields in the early 20th century. The film is it as a vehicle for Garner and Willis, both of whom were at the height of their popularity at the time.
Garner plays the role of Tom Mix, a popular movie star famous for his Westerns, who is also a real-life hero and amateur detective. He is hired by Isaac van Horn (Michael C. Gwynne), a wealthy businessman, to find his missing girlfriend, who has vanished from her hotel in Hollywood. Mix enlists the help of his friend Wyatt Earp, a retired lawman who is now a private investigator, to solve the case.
Willis plays the role of Wyatt Earp, a tough guy who carries a shotgun and always shoots first and asks questions later. He is a no-nonsense detective who doesn't have much patience for Tom's antics, but is nonetheless fond of him. Together, they set out to find the missing woman and unravel the mystery behind her disappearance.
As they investigate, they encounter a cast of colorful characters, including Alfie Alperin (McDowell), a psychotic hitman employed by the corrupt police captain Malcolm McLaren (M. Emmet Walsh), who is involved in a conspiracy to cover up a murder. They also meet Cheryl King (Mariel Hemingway), a young actress with whom Tom falls in love, and her father, who is one of Hollywood's most powerful producers.
The movie is a classic example of a buddy movie, with Garner and Willis providing plenty of humor and action along the way. As they pursue the missing woman, they also find time to engage in shootouts, car chases, and fistfights, all the while cracking wise and making jokes. The banter between the two leads is one of the highlights of the movie, as they play off each other's strengths and weaknesses.
The movie also features some stunning visuals, with Edwards capturing the glamour and spectacle of 1920s Hollywood. The film is set against the backdrop of the movie industry, with scenes taking place on studio lots, at fancy parties, and in lavish mansions. The attention to detail is impressive, with the filmmakers recreating the look and feel of old Hollywood with an eye-popping level of detail.
Overall, Sunset is a fun movie that offers a healthy dose of action, comedy, and nostalgia. Garner and Willis are both in fine form, bringing their signature charm and charisma to their roles. McDowell is also a standout as the villainous hitman, providing a memorable performance in a role that could have been one-dimensional. The movie may not be a classic, but it is a highly entertaining romp that is sure to delight fans of the genre.
Sunset is a 1988 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.