Sunset Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.0

Sunset Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 15, 2026

Writer/Director Blake Edwards' (Micki & Maude) Sunset is an interesting slice of nostalgia that hits the rewind button back into the early and glamorous days of Hollywood, brining together two legends -- in real life with Bruce Willis and James Garner and in hybrid fashion Wyatt Earp and "Western Actor" Tom Mix -- who come together and find themselves knee deep in a good old fashioned Hollywood murder mystery. With this terrific pair of leads, Edwards attempts to explore the difference between a real legend and someone pretending to be one; one a real lawman and the other one who proverbially stayed at the Holiday Inn Express last night. It's a film with an interesting premise and some potential for deep intrigue and some humor. But the elements, including the cast, the story, the Hollywood glamour of yesteryear, the murder angle, and the laughs -- don't quite gel like Edwards intended. The result is a film best enjoyed as a quaint curiosity rather than a powerhouse cinematic experience, a light film that could have been more but settles for a decent diversion for a rainy afternoon.

Sunset is set in late 1920s Hollywood and follows a noted Western film star named Tom Mix (Willis) who is set to take on a meaty role, portraying the legendary historical figure Wyatt Earp in an upcoming film. Wyatt Earp himself (Garner) has been brought in as a consultant on the picture, and he and Mix become quick friends. Their relationship, however, takes a turn for the dramatic -- real life drama -- when they find themselves entangled in an investigation that leads them to a seedy Hollywood underbelly of murder and corruption. Their investigation points them to a number of personalities, including studio exec Alfie Alperin (Malcolm McDowell), up-and-coming actress Cheryl King (Mariel Hemingway), and studio publicist Nancy Shoemaker (Kathleen Quinlan), and the realization that the real action and danger take place off the screen.

No question about it, James Garner steals the show, even through the firepower around him. His work as the "real" hero, Wyatt Earp, is confident and understated, brining a stature and towering personality to the character but never overstepping boundaries or dominating the picture. His work brings a magnetic blend of long-life wisdom, subtle humor, and quiet confidence to the part. He's clearly the film's best asset. Willis is perfectly cast as his foil, bringing a more overtly humorous edge, effortless charisma, and big personality to the "fictional" hero, also Wyatt Earp, and his chemistry with Garner is first-rate. The writing and actors both embrace the oddball pairing, which is a staple in storytelling for good reason, and these two could not be better cast or better together.

Despite the first-rate acting, the film struggles to find an even pace. It's all over the map in terms of tone and tempo, feeling at once like a lighthearted buddy romp and a hard-edged murder mystery, all within a film that is focused on playing to its period. At one moment, the film is jovially light and pleasantly snuggly, and in the next it's dark and violent. The easygoing chemistry and character relationships -- and the wonderful theme underlying the film of real versus recreated heroism and stature -- are often interrupted and undermined by heavy violence and uncomfortable dramatic ebbs and flows. The end result is a picture that feels like it's been assembled form a parts bin. Everything is good within its own little prism -- the buddy elements, the murder mystery, the period aesthetics -- but somehow it never quite gels with organic clarity and purpose.

That said, beyond the work of the two leads, it's probably the film's aesthetics that make it shine brightest. The period look is nailed in every shot, scene, and sequence, and the cinematography is brilliantly engaging, capturing the period and all of its pieces with compelling visual flair. Sets and costumes are first-rate, and the audience will feel instantly transported to the 1920s. Score is always appropriate to both the time and the tone and tenor of individual scenes. But all of it sometimes feels for naught as the film labors through the murder mystery elements, which are easily the weakest part of the narrative, becoming too twisty and convoluted and covering up the fun chemistry between the leads and getting in the way of the wonderful production design that otherwise would headline the film.

Sunset Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Alliance's 1080p transfer for Sunset generally looks very good. The presentation delivers the period aesthetics with impressive clarity and detail, especially costumes, but all of the detailed backgrounds are well worth soaking in at high definition resolution. There is a hint of softer looking elements every now and then, but the superior sharpness far outweighs the inferior softer elements. The picture also retains a natural grain structure that yields a pleasing cinematic look and feel. Colors are a real highlight, with a very specific color palette at work here, a vivid 1920s-inspired warmth with golden and earthy scents. Flesh tones look fine, blacks are solid, and white balance is about as good as one could want from a film of this vintage and a transfer of this caliber. There are no obvious encode issues or print problems, either. Overall, this is a good and well-rounded presentation from Alliance.

Sunset Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Sunset arrives on Blu-ray with a competent DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack. The track delivers everything in good working order, highlighted by natural dialogue that images well to the front-center area. It's clear and lifelike, which is about all one can want from a track of this variety. The front side does expand for various musical engagements, with score playing rather wide along the front and, like the dialogue, with dependable clarity and detail. Henry Mancini's period, Jazz-y score is a real treat, and while the music would have benefited from a larger configuration and room to spread out, it plays very nicely in the 2.0 configuration. Things suffer a downturn during action, where gunfire and other action bits struggle to fin clarity, depth, and range. Like, the 2.0 configuration limits the track's ability to create a full, expansive environmental range, and the result is a track that sometimes feels more cramped than it might with a bigger playground. But, it's serviceable, and the all-important dialogue is fine; just keep expectations in check.

Sunset Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, this Blu-ray release of Sunset contains no special features. No DVD or digital copies are included, but it does ship with the familiar Alliance/Mill Creek "retro VHS" slipcover.

Sunset Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Sunset is a frustratingly uneven picture. It gets some things really right and some things really wrong, but what it gets right make it worth watching, notably the wonderful work and faultless interplay from James Garner and Bruce Willis, the pitch-perfect score, the faultless aesthetics, and the wonderful photography. But those darker components are too dark and jarring, and the film suffers from the imbalance they inject. Still, it's worth watching for what it does well. Alliance's Blu-ray delivers solid video and workmanlike audio. No extras are included. Skip it.