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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This is the movie that caused Premiere magazine's mythical columnist Libby Gelman-Waxner to occasionally break into convulsive shouts of "Dennis! Dennis! Dennis!" Directed by Jim McBride (Great Balls of Fire!) and released in 1987, this New Orleans mystery-romance features Quaid and costar Ellen Barkin as sexy adversaries on opposite sides of a police scandal. While Quaid's grinning, seductive detective investigates a series of mob-related murders, Barkin's assistant district attorney looks into allegations of an entire cop force on the take--a charge that applies to the slick hero as well. The snappy, buoyant tone of cop camaraderie, the hoodoo lure of New Orleans culture, and the Cajun soundtrack (including a brief performance by Quaid) make this an enormously appealing film, while the ethical dilemma at the heart of the love story keeps one guessing about where things are going. The film includes a wonderful supporting performance by Ned Beatty, and a pre-stardom role for John Goodman. The DVD includes a great-looking widescreen presentation, cast and crew information, original trailer, and Spanish, English, and French subtitles. --Tom Keogh
Product Description
Highly original crime yarn with steamy romance and unique New Orleans atmosphere. A stylish homicide detective (Quaid) runs afoul of the new uptight assistant D. A. (Barkin) while investigating a local mob murder; soon theyre romantically involved even while theyre at odds professionally. Sassy and sexy with terrific Cajun music score. Written by Daniel Petrie Jr. Later a cable TV series.System Requirements:Director: Jim McBride Starring: Dennis Quaid et al. Region 1 encoding (for use in US and Canada only) Color Closed-captioned Theatrical trailer(s) Widescreen letterbox format Number of discs: 1 Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: R UPC: 031398700234 Manufacturer No: 71048
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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!!!
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
34 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great cast & story line!
I generally like any movie that takes place in the Cresent City a.k.a. NOLA. Dennis Quaid has got the accent down. Read more
Published 6 days ago by B.J. Thomas
great movie
I was so pleased I found this movie in DVD form. Had it on VCR which I no longer have the player
Published 5 months ago by Mary J. Grote
EXCEPTIONALLY APPEALING
The Big Easy is a romantic and humorous melodrama.
The players (a family of cops) are involved in mostly petty police corruption, the district attorney (Helen Barkin)... Read more
The players (a family of cops) are involved in mostly petty police corruption, the district attorney (Helen Barkin)... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Lawrence Wegeman, Jr.
big easy movie
This is a great movie that I wanted to add to my collection. It arrived in a timely manner as described. No problem and no complaint.
Published 7 months ago by apple
The Big Easy
The movie was ok but I had heard that the chemistry between Dennis and Ellen was suppose to be so great but I found it to be so-so.
Published 14 months ago by G. Rosenberger
Nice cop thriller with sex appeal
This New Orleans-flavored thriller benefits from the great chemistry of stars Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin as she investigates suspected police corruption and widespread graft... Read more
Published 18 months ago by New England Pat
Love this movie!
A sexy, poignant film about romance between straight-arrow district attorney, Ann, and bad-boy, cop-on-the-take, Remy, who find themselves having to work together to get to the... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Far Away Eyes
Flawed But Fun
Both Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin were considered one film away from major stardom when THE BIG EASY opened in 1987. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Gary F. Taylor
Boy Meets Girl, Cajun Style
Sometimes a movie is a little too close to the truth, although it is not recognized as such until later. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Alfred Johnson
where's my movie??
Hello,
I have NOT received the movie I ordered "The Big Easy".
Please mail it to me ASAP.
This is the 2nd time I've commented on this issue to you. Read more
I have NOT received the movie I ordered "The Big Easy".
Please mail it to me ASAP.
This is the 2nd time I've commented on this issue to you. Read more
Published on April 2, 2010 by D. J. Nasby
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