Bruce Willis’ performance in 1988 Sunset movie caught legendary film critic Roger Ebert by surprise, challenging his ability to analyze a film’s success or failure with his usual clarity. Released in April 1988, “Sunset,” directed by Blake Edwards and starring Bruce Willis as Tom Mix alongside James Garner as Wyatt Earp, became a movie that even seasoned critics struggled to dissect.
How “Sunset” Upended Roger Ebert’s Expectations
Before his death in 2013, Roger Ebert offered a candid reflection on films that stood the test of time, such as “Casablanca,” “La Dolce Vita,” and “Basic Instinct.” Having reviewed thousands of movies across decades, Ebert developed a reputation for incisive, thorough critiques. Yet, when it came to “Sunset,” he found himself at a loss, unsettled by its conflicting elements and tonal shifts. This unusual reaction from Ebert marked the movie as a rare puzzle among the vast array of films he had examined.
Starring Bruce Willis and James Garner, “Sunset” set itself apart as a late ‘80s western—stretching the boundaries of the genre—by blending real historical figures with a fictional murder mystery. Willis portrayed Tom Mix, a silent-era cowboy actor who dominated Western cinema in the early 1900s, while Garner took on the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp. In the story, Earp is brought onto a Hollywood set as a technical advisor, and the pair becomes entangled in a murder case, moving the film from mere period drama toward crime thriller territory.
Clashing Eras and Tonal Chaos in “Sunset”
Director Blake Edwards released the film with the intention of merging nostalgic 1920s Hollywood flair and modern sensibilities. However, the film’s atmosphere took an abrupt turn after its light-hearted beginning. The opening establishes a cheerful, buoyant Tom Mix—Bruce Willis in a white western suit, brimming with excitement about meeting the famous Earp. At first, the lively dialogue and colorful visuals evoke the comedic energy of “Blazing Saddles” or the camaraderie of “Adios Amigo,” but these impressions fade quickly as the narrative plunges into darker, more mature themes incongruent with the initial setup.
Surprisingly intense scenes follow, portraying offscreen violence, explicit crime, and unsettling period-accurate acts such as spousal abuse and homophobia. This dramatic shift resulted in a disjointed viewing experience, something Ebert captured succinctly:
…half of the movie wants to be cheerful, and the other half seems morbid and disenchanted.
-Roger Ebert, Film Critic
The film’s unpredictable mood swings left audiences and critics alike unsettled. Actress Mariel Hemingway, who played Cheryl King in the film, later reflected on this tension when she wrote:
The movie sounded a little chaotic. . . but it was directed by Blake Edwards. I couldn’t pass up the chance to work with him.
-Mariel Hemingway, Actress
Much of the confusion originated from the competing visions at the story’s core: the vibrant spectacle of early Hollywood clashing with the cynicism and darkness of hard-boiled detective fiction. Edwards appeared unable to fully blend these elements, resulting in a movie that, despite its glossy façade, was weighed down by dissonant themes of decadence and vice lurking beneath its entertainment surface.
Bruce Willis as Tom Mix: Energetic but Out of Place
It wasn’t just the story and style of “Sunset” that left Roger Ebert and other critics questioning its effect—it was also the casting of Bruce Willis in the role of Tom Mix. Audiences familiar with Willis’ later, more iconic work might overlook the shortcomings of his younger days, but at the time, his performance as Mix failed to capture the gravity expected of a legendary Western film star. Ebert observed Willis’ approach to the role, suggesting it felt more like a playful impersonation than an authentic portrayal of a larger-than-life figure from Hollywood’s past.
James Garner, by contrast, embodied Wyatt Earp with poise and charisma, offering a balance that Willis’ whimsical style could not match. The film’s attempt to showcase Willis’ cocky, energetic persona was ultimately at odds with the gravitas the role of Tom Mix demanded. Viewers were left with a sense that, had the character been a purely fictional movie star rather than a real person, the performance might have been less jarring in comparison to the historical figure he was meant to embody.
Ebert’s ultimate takeaway summed up his disapproval, suggesting that after watching Willis as Tom Mix, he felt no closer to understanding who the man was, nor did it inspire any further curiosity. This lack of resonance stood as an almost unheard-of critique from a reviewer known for finding value or lesson in nearly every movie he saw.
The Aftermath: Critical and Commercial Fallout
The confusing combination of genres and the disconnect between the film’s cast and their historical counterparts translated to both critical and financial disappointment. “Sunset” recouped only about a quarter of its production budget at the box office, marking it as a commercial flop. The movie’s struggles did not end there: Blake Edwards received the dubious honor of “Worst Director” at the 1989 Razzie Awards, while Mariel Hemingway earned a nomination for “Worst Supporting Actress” at the same parody ceremony.
Despite these setbacks, or perhaps because of them, “Sunset” achieved a peculiar kind of notoriety by becoming one of the few films to truly perplex Roger Ebert. This bafflement ultimately became part of the film’s legacy—an enduring example of how even seasoned experts can be rendered speechless by a movie that defies easy categorization.
If curiosity prevails, viewers interested in Bruce Willis performance in 1988 Sunset movie can watch and judge for themselves: the film is currently available for digital rental and streaming on Prime Video, keeping alive its tradition of provoking debate among those who encounter it.
