Customer Reviews

The Mighty Quinn

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This movie instantly became one of my top three favorite movies of all time. I went on Amazon.com the day after I saw it and ordered myself a copy, I simply had to have it. I could tell right away I was going to watch it over and over and over..

First of all, and of supreme importance, the writing is excellent. The first few times I watched it I kept on finding more and more wonderful nuances. There is even a story within a story. There is so much more to this movie when you keep your ears pricked and your expectations high.

The camera is magical, and seems to capture the very essence of each scene. The cast is brilliant -- practically everyone can act, and act well (except for the Lizard-Fish). The soundtrack rocks with sweet old school reggae (this is a 1987 movie, after all).

Denzel Washington plays an overworked, righteous and heroic chief of police, endowed with a highly accurate intuition and overflowing with charm. Ladies, he is hot. His best friend, Maubee, is the prime suspect in a murder that makes no sense. Add to that suspicion and conspiracy and a ten thousand dollar bill, and you have a mystery sleeper that keeps you guessing and entertains consistently. Great for any audience.

The dialogue is rhythmic, musical -- the Jamaican accents are rich in variety, pleasing to the ear, comprehensible, and believable. Even Denzel's accent leaves nothing wanting.

I've lost count of how many times I've watched The Mighty Quinn solve this mystery while juggling his personal obligations. You will not regret getting this movie.

There's very little I dislike about this movie. Okay, the swearing's a bit much, but everything else - the characters, the mystery, the music, the scenery - is incredibly enjoyable.

Denzel Washington portrays Police Chief Xavier Quinn, a cop who struggles for respect from a lower-class that sees him as a betrayer and an upper-class that has no use for him beyond that of lap dog. His character's development is an unsuspected surprise in what could have been just another run-of-the-mill tropical thriller.

Supporting characters played by Robert Townsend, Mimi Rogers, Esther Rolle, and M. Emmett Walsh are also surprisingly nuanced, as is the murder investigation itself. The only main character I didn't quite get is Sheryl Lee Ralph as Quinn's wife; her expectations for her husband seem ill-defined in the story - in keeping with the island custom, however, I didn't let it get to me; I just went with it.

This is a budget release, so except for the trailer there are no extra features. There isn't even an insert card showing chapter listing. Subtitles come only in French and Spanish, but the film is closed-captioned if you want the equivalent of English subtitling. I would've liked more features, but I'm not going to let that get to me, either.

Get this DVD. Then get some popcorn and pour some rum in your Coke - or at least drop in a tiny paper umbrella - and enjoy the show.

Action/mystery with Denzel Washington as a Carribean cop investigating a murder which may implicate his childhood friend (Robert Townsend). Good plot, excellent supporting cast (Mimi Rogers, James Fox, Esther Rolle, Sheryl Lee Ralph), good locations, and an awsome reggae soundtrack add up to a solid picture. It has everything you need in a good video to rent or buy. If you are a Denzel fan, you're in for a speacial treat (I like his work, but am not a major fan and I loved this!!!).

This colorful mystery harkens back to those old 1930's films of old friends like Gable and Powell who suddenly find themselves on opposite sides of the law. There is a fun flavor and lots of great music in Carl Schenkel's take on this genre from Hollywood's past. Denzel Washington charms his way through this film set on a Caribbean island where nothing is done in a big hurry.

Denzel is Xavier Quinn, an easygoing ex-marine who has returned to the island where he grew up and become the Chief of Police. On the outs with his wife Lola (Sheryl Lee Ralph), he spends most of the film trying to charm his way back into her good graces so he can be with her and his son, who idolizes him.

When someone important ends up dead, and Thomas Elgin (James Foxx) wants Quinn to accept on blind faith how it happened, Quinn can smell something funny through the clear blue waters and goes fishing. Complicating things is Elgin's desire to pin the murder on Quinn's old childhood friend, Maubee (Robert Townsend).

Maubee is an island legend, loved and protected like Robin Hood. He is a likable guy who has never grown up. When someone compares him to Peter Pan, Quinn laughs and explains he's more like Bugs Bunny. Quinn has doubts Maubee would kill anyone. When a currency which doesn't even exist starts showing up, he knows more is going on here than meets the eye.

A couple of people end up murdered while Quinn tries to patch up things with Lola, look for Maubee, and avoid sleeping with both a lovely island girl, and the very sexy wife of Thomas Elgin, Hadley (Mimi Rogers). Rogers is especially terrific here and burns up the screen in every scene she's in.

Screen legend Keye Luke has a good role as Quinn's old friend, Dr. Raj, who Quinn sneaks in to do an autopsy he's been forbidden to do. Tyra Ferrell is lovely and sexy as Isola, and Ester Rolle has some fine moments as the very Caribbean Ubu Pearl, who Quinn believes knows exactly what's going on.

The story sounds dark, but it is filled with bright colors and the smooth flavor of Jamaican rum. This is a very fun to watch film that feels like a vacation in and of itself. Denzel is fantastic as Quinn, who avoids taking the easy route with the almost irresistable Mimi Rogers, and tries to avoid being Elmer Fudd to his old pal's Bugs Bunny.

This is an excellent mystery with a big splash of color and some great music that will be a favorite after you see it for the first time. A real winner!

Like some of the other reviewers, I have seen this movie countless times. Based on the novel 'Finding Maubee' it weaves a richly textured mystery/drama. Throw in the lush setting of Port Antonio, Jamaica and a lively reggae soundtrack and you have the perfect escape vacation movie. Just pop this movie in, grab a mixed rum drink, and get ready to be transported. Top notch performances are delivered by EVERY actor and actress involved. There's just a genuine "feel good" element to this movie that makes you want to watch it again and again. Strangely enough, it is still a little known and little appreciated piece of movie magic. Don't miss out!

FBI trained Chief of Police Xavier Quinn (Denzel Washington) has a few problems on his hands. A wealthy off-islander has been left in his own hot tub "to boil a little." It looks as if Quinn's childhood friend is the culprit, Quinn's "having a little trouble at home these days" with his wife who is auditioning for the local night spot, and various women want his body... so do less beautiful visitors to the West Indies, equipped with guns and silencers and writs. And he's forgotten to pick his young son up from school.

My teenage son wore out a VHS copy of this film listening to Denzel play the piano ("I woke up feeling so bad, you know I laid right back down again"--Taj Mahal), my husband and I wore out a second for the thrilling murder mystery and the magnetism of the star. Lush, seductive, and fast paced, the music is terrific, the setting is exotic, and the action and sexual tension never let up to the last scene.

One hunnered thousan dollas, mahn! This is a thoroughly enjoyable flick. A musical who-done-it with an island flair. All the actors can belt out a tune like pros, even Denzel isn't half bad! Visually stunning with brilliant color, on an exotic set, and shot with great angles too. Solid performances by everyone with a riveting plot that is a pure pleasure to watch unfold. The dialog is excellent too and works well with the gorgeous visuals. This is the only movie I've seen where nothing they could have done differently could have made it any better. It's just THAT good. It has the best soundtrack for any movie I've ever heard as well. Now if they'll just get off their keisters and come out with a DVD with plenty of extras, I can die knowing that I've seen everything the BEST MOVIE MADE has to offer.

I happened to see this movie late one night on cable and found it to be wonderful. The movie presents Denzel Washington early in his career. As usual, his presence on screen is great to watch. In the movie, Washington is a policeman in Jamaica. It is a light movie that it is entertaining and great to relax and watch. There were some scenes that made me laugh, and I felt a little bit more happy and relaxed after I watched. So, if you just want to be entertained, this is a great movie.

One of Denzel's best finds the superb actor sitting at the piano for a terrific musical interlude. Plus Esther Rolle and M. Emmett Walsh. I love this movie!

Excellent writing, gorgeous setting, wonderful actors make this a lush visual and musical treat that never goes over the top and thoroughly takes me away to the tropics. I don't know how many times I've watched the movie, and still I always go back to it when I'm sick of winter and want to see a good mystery set near the sea-green waters. And Denzel is absolutely the best here.