Customer Reviews

The Big Easy

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This is what I call a personality movie. The plot is fine, maybe a few holes and you sort of can see it coming down the turnpike, but that is not what you will watch this movie for time and again. It's the actors. They are the whole show and they give you a great one at that. Dennis Quaid jumped into leading man spotlight with this film, and Ellen Barkin is a delight as his adversary and can't-help-falling-for-you-lover...she is cute, engaging and not your typically blonde!! Quaid and Barkin are friends in real life, and that chemistry carries over into their roles. They have fun with the characters and so will you.

I have viewed this movie and will continue to do so, it's just that sort of a good time. I absolutely adore New Orleans, and you get some good scenery and even better cajun music (though where is Doug Kershaw??? I ask!), with excellent supporting performances from John Goodman and Ned Beatty.

Dennis plays Remy McSwain, a police Lieutenant that loves the Big Easy and takes everything in laid back stride, until problems arise. There is a supposed drug war going on, he thinks he has all the answers until Burkin's ADA Anne Osbourne starts asking questions of her own. Their attraction is instantaneous, sexy and fun, as she knows she cannot fall for the man she is investigating, but she cannot seem to stop herself.

Uncle Souse tells Barkin's character at once point "put your purdy face in the car, cher."....well, put your purdy face in front of the telly and enjoy a trip down to Dr. John's way.

Please note that is Jim Garrison playing Jim Garrison!! For those who do not recall the name, see Oliver Stone's JFK.

Mature audiences as there is one sexy, steaming love scene between the leads (which they said they had trouble doing since they were friends in real life - well, it sure does not show!!!)

Look out for the gator, baby!!!

It is a shame this movie wasn't a bigger hit--largely because it deprived moviegoers of more cinematic pairings of Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin, a couple whose on-screen chemistry approached that of William Powell and Myrna Loy. The sex scenes here are truly steamy, yet used as much to establish character and advance the story as to titillate the audience. Quaid portrays a casually corrupt homicide cop on the New Orleans PD who is forced to rethink his life when (a) Barkin, a DA he's seriously attracted to, refuses to have anything to do with him, and (b) he discovers that the corruption in the department vastly exceeds anything he ever imagined. The movie may be "Show Me the Money" at the beginning, but at the end, it's "Show Me the Remorse." The plot of a man reformed by the love of a good woman lost popularity as the 20th century progressed, but Quaid, Barkin and director Jim McBride deserve credit for updating it in a fresh, surprising and sexy way.

A good cop, who has allowed his principles to be compromised once too often, has it catch up with him amid allegations of internal corruption and what appears to be an impending war between the criminal elements of New Orleans, in "The Big Easy," directed by Jim McBride. Dennis Quaid stars as Remy McSwain, an eleven year veteran of the New Orleans Police Department, who from the day he joined the force learned that the "perks" that went along with the job were all just a natural, acceptable part of the way things are done in the city they call The Big Easy. It's just the way it is; and all is well until Assistant District Attorney, Anne Osborne (Ellen Barkin), shows up one day, and becomes inordinately concerned with a recent "wise guy" murder Remy is investigating. And it isn't long before things start to get a bit sticky for Remy and a few others who suddenly find themselves caught with their fingers in the cookie jar. But there are indications that something is going down at the precinct that is somewhat more serious than the penny-ante graft apparently being enjoyed by a number of New Orleans' finest, and Osborne's job is to get to the bottom of it. Remy, however, doesn't buy the idea that there are "dirty" cops amongst his own, and quickly puts some moves on Anne to find out what she thinks she knows. And it starts him off along a path which, before it's over, he may wish he hadn't opted to tread.

From the opening credits, as McBride takes you aloft and opens up his camera for a thrilling shot of the bayous and countryside rushing by below (backed by the blood stirring zydeco music that drives the entire film), he saturates the story with an atmosphere that brings New Orleans to life. And the vibrant sights and sounds of the city (including the engaging Creole dialects), are so richly textured that the city itself becomes as much an integral part of the story as many of the characters. As Remy would say in greeting, with his best prepossessing grin in place, "Where you at, chere?"

And though the story itself is nothing especially original, the lively presentation and the mood McBride sets, as well as some unique characterizations and that special sense of time and place he captures, make it all seem fresh and new. The zydeco music, alone, is a treat and-- like the city-- is something of a character in itself.

Quaid fairly oozes Southern charm as the irrepressible Remy, a guy secure with his world and sure of his place in it. He's obstinate and self-assured, but without being pretentious, which makes it easy to like him. The natural fluidity of his distinct mannerisms and speech give his performance a ring of authenticity that makes Remy very real and entirely believable-- which, of course, adds credibility to the story. The character is a good fit for Quaid, and he definitely makes the most of it.

Barkin does a good job, as well, as Anne, employing her trademark crooked smile to great effect, and she has a genuine chemistry with Quaid that works well for the story. She brings a decided definition to her character, making Anne a woman who is strong without being overconfident, and not immune to vulnerability; it's her very humanness, in fact, that make her so accessible. It's a well rounded performance that allows you to see beneath the facade of the professional cop doing her job, to the very real person within. Barkin plays it all very well, and lets you know that there's more to Anne than meets the eye.

Notable in supporting roles are Grace Zabriskie, as Remy's mother, and Charles Ludlam as Lamar Parmentel. Their performances are great examples of the value of a good character actor, and the significant impact they can have on a film. Far too often they go unnoticed and unappreciated.

The supporting cast includes Ned Beatty (Jack), John Goodman (Andre), Lisa Jane Persky (McCabe), Ebbe Roe Smith (Ed), Tom O'Brien (Bobby), Marc Lawrence (Vinnie the Cannon) and Solomon Burke (Daddy Mention). Like a good bowl of spicy gumbo, "The Big Easy" packs a wallop and will give you a good helping of satisfying entertainment, well worth the two bucks or so you plunk down for it. And by the time it's over, you'll be calling people "chere" and fighting the urge to strap a washboard to your chest. So, hey-- where you at? It's the magic of the movies, chere.

The talented and handsome Dennis Quaid plays his finest role to date, as New Orleans detective Remy McSwain. He's more than a sexy swine, he's on the take too. This doesn't make him a bad guy, after all, his "daddy" and "grandaddy" did the same when they were "on the job". The Big Question, does this make him a "Bad Cop"? Enter Ellen Barkin, as Assistant DA Anne Osborne, smart, yet naive enough to fall for McSwain's all too obvious charms. Since she has come to town to investigate police corruption, namely his and his close associates, her innate weakness for Quaid's temptingly sexy McSwain, will lead to hard choices. Will her heart, or her reputation on the job rule? Watch this film and see!

No matter how many times I've seen this film, I find it tremendously entertaining. Jim McBride squeezed some of the best performances of all time from the two leads. I was amazed when I read that Barkin and Quaid didn't harmonize well off screen, because their love scene is one of the most convincing I've ever seen in film. Remy McSwain is unforgettably irresistible during his barechested seduction of "unlucky in love" Anne Osborne. He literally lets her hair down (always in a bun), while touching and kissing her in the most tender and sensual way, then tells her; "Well cherie, your luck's about to change..." Indeed!

This film has a wonderful musical score from Brad Feidel, I love the opening theme, and purchased the soundtrack for it. Also, the terrific New Orleans atmosphere adds depth and authenticity to the story. I've been to New Orleans, the French Quarter and Bourbon Street myself, if you haven't, this will give you an excellent vicarious feel of it. In particular, the scene where Quaid has to sleep on the couch while Barkin is in his bed during a typical summer night thunderstorm, music droning from the street, is a gem.

Aside from the steamy romance, atmosphere, and score, the plot hooks you as well. The script is sharp, witty, and peppered with colorful local lingo. "The Big Easy", is a fast paced police action thriller, but with a semi-noir feel that is unique. The story moves along interestingly throughout, is easy to follow, and builds into a terrific and satisfying resolution. What more can you ask for?

Like subsequent police thrillers that have spicy sexual undercurrents, particularly Mike Figgis' "Internal Affairs" (see my review) or Paul Verhoeven's "Basic Instinct", this film is one to watch with the one you love. However, the aforementioned love scene between Quaid and Barkin, may cause you to come back and watch the rest later. Whatever you do, don't let this unique and sexy adventure pass Bayou.

There is one version of this film which puts near-contemporary 'Body Heat' to shame for plotting, action and the amazing sensual rapport between the two main players.

Sadly, this DVD version has about ten minutes of cuts, compared to the full version.

There really is no excuse for this; since one of the main selling points of the DVD format has been that it includes material excised from (some) theatrical and video release versions.

We did it for 'Blade Runner'; we can do it here.

The campaign starts now.

I used to have this on VHS and adored it- it's a terrific film, with an unbeatable combination of twisty plot, stars that have incredible chemistry, and spicy music.... and yet when I watch it on DVD I find five minutes of the ending has just disappeared into the great old void at the editing room.

Does anyone know why this part has been cut? It doesn't seem to make much sense, as without it, the conclusion of the film is very abrupt and disjointed... it's amazing the difference that one tiny little scene makes!

Don't give up your VHS copy just yet- not until those editors find that damn five minutes and put 'em back in where they belong!

This movie is so good that even cutting the hospital scene from the ending didn't ruin it. Didn't help it either. You really need to see Remy in that hospital gown! I've kept my VHS version until I can find a DVD version with the better ending.

The movie is great - However if you've seen it in cinema you will note that a part is missing on the DVD.
This missing part, about 5 minutes, rounds off the movie very nicely and it is a pity that it was cut away - without any need.
So be aware !

For a fifteen year old film, this movie is almost as fresh and sizzling as it was in the year of its release. (The only passé thing I saw in the film was the use of the occasional typewriter rather than a computer...but it was back in 1987, so it's easy to overlook that!)

Dennis Quaid is perfectly cast as Remy McSwain, ... Quaid manages to make the change from charming rogue to conflicted cop who wants to do right seamless. This is probably because Quaid easily infuses the character with hard to resist likeability, even when you know he has done wrong. In watching Quaid, it's apparent that the role of Remy fit him to a T...and he had a lot of fun bringing him to life.

Adding to Quaid's dead on characterization is Ellen Barkin as Anne Osborne. Anne is as uptight as Remy is laid back...but both balance each other out, and bring new facets to the other. ...

The above characters are really what the movie is about. Because, though the backdrop of the movie is about corruption and murder, the true entertainment comes from watching the electric chemistry between Quaid and Barkin. ...

Besides Barkin and Quaid, a stellar supporting cast includes Lisa Jane Persky as Det. McCabe, Ned Beatty (as Remy's father-figure/captain, Grace Zabriskie as Mrs. McSwain - Remy's mother, and a great performance by John Goodman as André, a fellow cop.

The final ingredient is the music. With a nice selection of a cajun-flavored slant in the soundtrack, the "true" star of the film, New Orleans, is adequately highlighted and its charm done justice, not to mention a great song by Aaron Neville tossed in for all that romantic tension. :)

All in all, this movie deserved much more success than it had. It's a wonderful way to pass the time if you just want some romance...or to experience the magic of New Orleans.

The Big Easy is one of my favorite movies. It has a rich mix of savvy, original characters, including New Orleans itself. This is Ellen Barkin's best performance as the inhibited DA Anne Osborn being drawn out by the mildly corrupt detective played by Dennis Quaid. Chemistry, snappy dialog, good tunes, whimsical romancing: who could ask for more?

The DVD is not technically exceptional or even particularly good, which is a shame but not crippling in a character driven story.