User reviews

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. I rate this one 8/10.

The Big Easy is a fairly straightforward thriller about police corruption - a little predictable, but with occasional clever touches - but the apparent chemistry between Quaid and Barkin is outstanding, making this one of the steamiest movies I've ever seen (much hotter than 9 1/2 weeks, and with the benefit of a plot and sympathetic characters). Accents aside (I'm only an occasional visitor to New Orleans, and not qualified to judge), the other performances are also excellent, especially Beatty and Goodman as corrupt cops, and there are also some gut-bustingly funny moments and a wonderful soundtrack. The film may not do justice to modern New Orleans, but then, what movie ever did?

Having just watched my video tape of this film again, I found it is just as enjoyable today as it was back when it was first released. People who live in New Orleans have written that it is unrealistic!! This is news about movies?! If we want realism we can go out our front door and go to any city and run with the cops for a shift. Almost all big cities have ride along programs.

No, this is a FILM. And a good one, perfectly cast. The story of the corruption in a big city police department is a staple of cop films but is done with a fresh set of characters who are believeable.

Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barken are at the top of their career curve and play off each other to great effect. Their steamy love scene is as good as has been done in film.

Many good character actors fill out the rest of the cast and of course the music is just wonderful setting the mood for film. I don't know if this was filmed in New Orleans, but it sure looked like some of the city I visited years ago. I came for a convention and the host committee had some men who spoke just like some of these people in the film. Of course, they were from all the different suburbs and the city too. So maybe some of the critics who live there should get around more.

Just watch and enjoy.

Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin star in "The Big Easy," a 1986 film set in New Orleans, and also starring Ned Beatty, John Goodman, and Grace Zabriskie.

I know an attorney who won a huge civil rights case in New Orleans and then had to run for her life with her family when her life was continuously threatened. The New Orleans police force has the reputation of being the most corrupt police force in the United States. That's saying something.

That corruption is visited here in this story of a mildly corrupt cop Remy (Quaid) investigating a series of murders of low-level drug people. The assigned assistant district attorney, Anne Osborne (Barkin) assumes from the get-go, because of the presence of a cop car at one of the murders, that the police are involved.

That's the background for a hot love affair between these two sexy characters who really steam up the screen. Quaid is delightful as the high-flying Remy, and he gets to show his range as an actor - going from flirtatious playboy to a grief-stricken man. Barkin is perfect as a woman trying to stay professional but finding it nearly impossible.

This film has some serious and disturbing moments, but the locale and the actors infuse it with charm and energy. Well directed by Jim McBride, who keeps up the pace.

Recommended.

The Big Easy is directed by Jim McBride and written by Daniel Petrie Jr. It stars Dennis Quaid, Ellen Barkin, John Goodman and Ned Beatty. Music is scored by Brad Fiedel and cinematography by Affonso Beato.

Remy McSwain (Quaid) is a slightly corrupt New Orleans cop, who whilst investigating the murder of a mob man, finds himself under scrutiny by assistant district attorney Anne Osborne (Barkin). The waters start to become muddied when the pair begin to have a passionate affair, just as the can opens and worms spill out everywhere.

It's an odd film at times, a bit too jovial to be considered proper neo-noir, and Quaid's Southern accent takes some getting used too. It's also nearly derailed in quality as conventionality dominates the last quarter of film.Yet judged on its own thriller terms it entertains well enough whilst also having some neat technical touches to help it along. Petrie's script contains spiky dialogue and a number of bravura sequences light up the otherwise standard crooked cop story.

McBride dose good work on this, he opens his film up with a cracker of a camera tracker, and he makes good use of the New Orleans locations. He also has a good sense of prop choices to help the mood, none more so than with a scene involving Mardi Gras costumes, whilst he gets strength for the film by garnering tense and sexy performances out of Quaid and Barkin. Support actors also leave good marks, with Goodman as a cop colleague dominating the screen and Charles Ludlam almost stealing the film as McSwain's dry and near sleazy lawyer. Soundtrack, too, is well thought out, with the Cajun flavours spicing up the sweaty Orleans stew. 7/10

This movie was an unexpected delight. In general, I don't like thrillers or suspense, so I braced myself for something that would not be to my taste. Was I ever wrong! The moment the opening credits came on with that wonderful music playing, I knew I would love this film. Although I didn't meet anybody in New Orleans who talked like Dennis Quaid did in this movie, and his portrayal of Rennie McSwain came off as something of a caricature, I still found him extremely enjoyable to watch and as a leading man, he was as sexy as a romantic hero can be. Ellen Barkin was great as the leading lady. The suspense part of the plot was perhaps the weakest part, but the romantic storyline was perfect. The music was so great, it made everything work. Yes, the movie makers made some mistakes with their geography, but that was completely forgivable, as the overall film was such a delight to watch. And few movies nowadays have such a great soundtrack as this movie has. A true delight, this will be a timeless classic.

I found this to be a so-so modern-day film noir drama - not bad, but nothing super. To its credit, it provides a little humor to offset the ugliness.

It also provides the standard sex scenes, this one featuring Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin; the seedy New Orleans atmosphere and the standard cops-are- crooked angle. The last part plays a big role in this story as even the good guy Quaid admits to numerous minor offenses. Unfortunately, you can't always understand Dennis as he gives us his Cajun accent. He sounded - and looked - as if he had marbles in his mouth.

Barkin was not as rough-talking and rough-looking as she was in a bunch of other films from the mid '80s to mid '90s, which was fine with me. New Orleans was pictured, as it so often is, as very bleak and dingy. If city residents weren't happy with this movie, I could understand that.

The ending of the film is a little hokey but overall, the story was interesting and I gave it two looks over the years, liking it better the second time.

I've seen various comments from those who say "The Big Easy" is one huge stereotype and/or unrealistic. Well, sure, the stereotypes exist here, but I feel that the directing of Jim McBride and excellent acting and chemistry of Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin rose above it.

As for its being unrealistic...so is almost every movie ever made!

Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin had phenomenal chemistry as Remy McSwain and Anne Osborne. Their first love scene was, by turns, steamy, tender, and touched with a sense of not taking itself too, too seriously as some love scenes tend to do. Out of the bedroom, they prove to be just as interesting as in (Remy's "gray" concept of right and wrong definitely adds to such interest, as does his "crisis of conscience" later on), and that is truly, IMHO, a rare feat for a lot of such films.

Add in a great supporting cast (Ned Beatty's crooked, yet fatherly Jack Kellom, John Goodman's dirty cop André, Grace Zabriskie as Mrs. McSwain, Lisa Jane Persky as Det. McCabe, and many more) that actually lends more depth to what could have been a cut-and-dried shoot 'em up flick (mixed with some bed scenes for variety), as well as characters/actors who actually play off of each other well, and the film is very entertaining.

Sure, the whole "gumbo, let's party, Cajun fest" thing can be a bit much, but I still found this film a whole bunch better than a lot of films made in the same or similar vein. It also still seems remarkably fresh today, 15 years later (even if typing police reports via a typewriter now seems a bit passé).

In other words and in short, I am glad to own this on DVD and have it in my library.

Supposedly a dramatic crime thriller, The Big Easy also is funny at beginning, when a new District Attorney Anne Osbourne (Barkin) sudden arrives at Police department of New Orleans looking for a clue of corruption that involves bribe and something else, Remy McSwain (Dennis Quaid) was part of a long cops's family, always accepting few dollars as "Club of widows & orphans founds", his joyful manner catch the tough one Anne, growing a sexual interest in both.

However Remy was caught in a frame, indicted by accepted bribery, Anne and Remy stays in opposite ways on the Courthouse, she no longer trust him, after some minor adjustments allowed by the corrupt system he was release for lack of proofs, although it wasn't the whole story, endeed The Big Easy is plentiful entertainment , mainly supported by a smart screenplay and a distinct and great southern soundtrack, on Cajun accent, gathered fine veteran actors as Ned Beatty and Marc Lawrence and good newcomers as John Goodman and Gailard Sartain neither, Dennis Quaid made one the biggest acting ever!!

Resume:

First watch: 1993 / How many: 3 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 7.5.

While this movie has a fairly interesting story line, and some very good music, I couldn't get past the worst imitation of Cajun accents you will ever encounter on film. Dennis Quaid is the biggest offender; rather than sounding like he's from the bayou, he comes off as effeminate and very affected, calling everyone he encounters "cher", as though we were all once married to Sonny Bono. You'd think that somebody on the location would've told them how bad it sounded, but judging from the amount of goofs people spotted in the movie, maybe they just didn't care. Check out the characters in Belizaire, if you want to hear what the real thing sounds like.

For a film about violence, crime and police corruption, The Big Easy sure is easy going and colorful. The characters are the liveliest bunch of rascals and it's a pleasure to spend every minute with them. Dennis Quaid plays cocky New Orleans detective Remy McSwain, a swaggering smooth talker who's gotten wealthy taking payoffs, a dude whose silky charm matches his swanky suits. He's gotten used to the easy life in the police department, with a captain who looks the other way (Ned Beatty brings a jovial, rotund presence), and colleagues (John Goodman is perfectly cast as the witty loudmouth of the bunch) who are just as happily willing to bend the rules as him. Trouble arrives in the sultry form of D.A. corruption task force specialist Anne Osborne (a swelteringly hot Ellen Barkin) who leans on Quaid as heavily as he hits on her. There's immediate and electric chemistry between them, which she adamantly fights, and he chases like a horn dog pursuing the bumper of a speeding Buick. Quaid and Barkin have the same spitfire sheen to their work, their careers dotted with performances that are flashy yet brave, pulpy yet laced with depth. Here they're having oodles of fun and carry the entire film on their crackling star power and romantic spark alone. There's also a subplot involving a rash of gang killings, as well as family matters involving Quaid's vivacious Cajun clan, including his Momma (monumentally talented Grace Zabriskie). It's a lively hodge-podge of plot elements we've seen a zillion times, but given such flippant style and good natured southern hospitality that we can't help but be won over. There's some lovely live performed Cajun music as well to add extra spice.

The Big Easy is a film which has bypassed me over the years. Having now watched it, i can say with confidence this is good rather than great. Dennis Quaid is good in this as usual, however it took me a little while to adjust to the accent he was putting on. Ellen Barkin never one of my favourite actresses was also good in this. Ned Beatty was his usual reliable self and a good small role here for John Goodman. The main thriller aspect of the plot seems to get lost behind the relationship between Quaid and Barkin and i feel the film would have benefited concentrating solely on one aspect or the other. The action scenes when they arrive are merely serviceable and the ending is merely ok. However i did enjoy the Big Easy it is a well shot film and doesn't outstay its welcome. In summary, good not great.

As a native of New Orleans, I can state that almost everything in this movie, from the atrocious N'Awlins dialect to the highly creative "manipulation" of Crescent City geography, is horrible. This is another one of those Big Hollywood movies that decides to stereotype New Orleans as: 1. A city full of French-sounding idiots 2. A city full of people who sound as if they've just returned from Blanche Dubois' summer home 3. A city of drunkards, where every day is Mardi Gras 4. A city of deep mystery, where almost everyone practices or is a victim of voodoo (I admit that maybe we are a city of drunkards; although every day is NOT Mardi Gras). "The Big Easy" is one of the worst films about New Orleans. I wouldn't recommend it to anybody.

"The Big Easy" is a lot of fun for native New Orleanians. I've never seen this film until yesterday, and it delighted me to see some of my former colleagues in the NOPD Detective Bureau play cops in the movie. Gus Krinke (now retired) actually did a very credible job as portraying an Internal Affairs Detective.

Yes, the 'accents' as portrayed here are unbelievable...many tourists are astonished to learn that most New Orleanians talk almost exactly like they're from Brooklyn, not some backwater swamp.

I understand Quaid enjoyed himself in New Orleans while making this movie, and it clearly shows. Grace Zabriskie (who was actually born in N.O.) was the most believable character. John Goodman liked the place so much he bought a home in the Crescent City.

Quaid and Barkin definitely put some spice in their roles...their chemistry was apparent and believable (unlike Quaid's accent), and their romance was really the only thing believable in this 'police movie'.

BTW, real New Orleans cops don't work out of 'Precinct Houses', sports fans, they're referred to as 'Districts'...New Orleans has 8 (eight) Police Districts. And I was delighted to see that the official ("unofficial") NOPD 'Vulture/star-and-Crescent' Homicide 'badge' was shown so often.

All in all, this film is a lot of fun despite its numerous technical flaws, and I give it 6 out of 10.

Dennis Quaid , and Ellen Barkin star in this crime drama set in New Orleans, John Goodman also does a good job in here as well in a supporting role.. A cop is tracking a murder case,, possibly gang related, when he runs into a hard nosed female who is checking into police corruption, eventually things get steamy and they get intimate with each other,, he is eventually accused of taking bribes, and meanwhile the murders continue,, and the gangs insist that they had nothing to do with the murders that are taking place in the Big Easy. So our cop has to figure out who is behind all of the murders,, is it the gangs , or do we have a rogue cop going around killing people vigilante style.. very interesting movie,, well worth watching.

This at times morally ambivalent movie is remarkable for the sizzling screen chemistry between local cop Remy McSwain (Dennis Quaid) and his would-be nemesis Anne Osborne (Ellen Barkin). The problem is she just can't resist him! The message of the film is: this is New Orleans - we do things differently here! They certainly do! Some great cajun music too! These two are just great together! Enjoy!

Remy McSwain (Dennis Quaid) is a New Orleans police lieutenant investigating the murder of a mob wise guy as one of his new cases. He is brash, street-wise and from a family of cops. He's forced to partner with A.D.A. Ann Osborne (Ellen Barkin) who is on a task force against police corruption. She's not as experienced on the streets. Soon they're in bed together. His loose ethics gets him in trouble and her in conflict of interest.

This movie is trying very hard to get the New Orleans flavor. Dennis Quaid is pushing the accent hard. The movie pulls out the music and food in the first 10 minutes. The case almost doesn't matter. This is a movie about Barkin getting her sexy on in the Big Easy with Quaid. This is definitely style over substance. The crime drama is forgettable but Barkin is forever.

Set in New Orleans. Remy McSwain, lieutenant in Homicide finds that he has two problems, the first of a series of gang killings and Ann Osborne, a beautiful attorney from the D.A.'s police corruption task force in his office. He begins a relationship with her as the killings continue only to have charges filed against him for accepting bribes as he stumbles on a police corruption sting.

I love the police stories, the corruption angle, the idea of the mob being in New Orleans (which is true, but probably not very strongly so by the 1980s). What makes me give this such a low rating is the bizarre accents. I mean, what? No two people seem to have the same accent, and I have no idea what Quaid was trying to do. His acting is great, but the voice is atrocious. I would rather he spoke normal and we forgive him the lack of accent than be presented the voice he gives us here -- even if it might be more accurate (I really don't know).

I'm sorry that people from New Orleans don't like this one. As someone who has lived in New York City and its environs for her entire life, I have PLENTY to say about innacuracies in movies and TV shows made about my home town. But if, as in this case, the final product can overcome any inaccuracies, why complain? Forget about the nitpicky details and have fun.

Sure, Dennis Quaid's accent is over the top. Sure, they got some things about New Orleans wrong. But who cares? The plot and the acting are both terrific, and the chemistry between Quaid and Barkin is potent; even when their characters are not speaking to each other, it's still pretty obvious that they can't keep their hands off each other. The love scene is done beautifully, and is far sexier than it would have been had it been more graphic.

I just wish the DVD treatment had been better. Other than that, I give The Big Easy 8 out of 10.

What makes this film almost unbearable for me is the script's dreadful protagonist, Det. Remy McSwain (Dennis Quaid). Through most of the plot, he's insulting, unprofessional, flippant, and has a juvenile obsession with sex. Basically, he's a jerk. If he had been any more overtly pawing over Anne (Ellen Barkin), we could have just deleted the thriller scenes altogether, and added more sex, to generate a light romantic comedy. The casting of Dennis Quaid helps not at all. He's too young here to be taken seriously as a detective; and that smirk just reeks of sophomoric impudence.

The script's dialogue is over-the-top flippant, with witty one-liners meant to charm the audience, which is inconsistent with a story that deals with a serious crime investigation. It's as if the writers couldn't decide if they wanted a thriller, a love story, or a comedy, so they settled for a mishmash of all of the above.

Further, no matter what a jerk Remy is, or what secrets he may be hiding, Anne is easily taken in by him, providing the romantic angle, but suggesting a weak-willed woman who lets her personal attraction to a man interfere with her professional work as a detective.

The film's plot clichés are typical for a 1980s film, including obligatory sex scenes, explosions, several plot points, and locale stereotypes with exaggerated Cajun accents. All this just screams ... a film produced by Hollywood insiders who will write a stale, unbelievable story if it's what they think the audience wants.

There's nothing wrong with the visuals. Cinematography is acceptable, and so too are production design and editing. I did indeed like the Cajun music.

The thriller component had fine potential. And I like the setting in New Orleans. But the script's annoying characters, plot clichés, and awful dialogue make the film hard to like. That, combined with some bad casting, renders "The Big Easy" well below average.

I just never get tired of watching this movie. The story, the humor, the music. the sex - all this adds up to an enjoyable package.

Dennis Quid is easily in his best role as Det. Remy McSwain. It is not hard to understand why he considers this his favorite role. He is laid back, funny, and shows a full range of emotions to the circumstances in the story. His "little boy" looks fit right in with the role of a cop in the Big Easy.

Ellen Barkin is also perfect for the role of special prosecutor Anne Osborne, looking for corruption in the police department - as if you have to look hard. She tries to be tough, but is worn down by Remy's charm.

The supporting cast has more colorful characters that you can imagine including Ned Beatty as Remy's substitute father, John Goodman as Beatty's partner in crime, Grace Zabriskie as Remy's mother, Solomon Burke as Daddy Mention and Charles Ludlam as a sleazy lawyer. They all add to the charm of New Orleans along with great music by Beausoleil, the Dixie Cups, the Neville Brothers, Dewey Balfa and Dennis Quaid himself.

This is a movie that tastes just as sweet as the city and one to visit over and over.

The Bayou comes alive with Wiseguy bullets and romantic sparks in this occasionally smoldering romantic thriller, starring Dennis Quaid as a less than scrupulous New Orleans detective investigating a series of local Mafia murders, while having both his conscience and his libido aroused by sultry District Attorney Ellen Barkin. The familiar details of Southern vice and depravity are shaded with plenty of Cajun color and brought to life by a supporting cast of offbeat characters, but underneath all the incidental scenery is a routine action scenario not far enough removed from any other conventional Hollywood cop show. Even worse: the very real erotic tension between the two lovers is allowed to fizzle after only one kiss, transforming tough, resourceful DA Barkin into little more than a lovestruck puppy dog and thereby all but eliminating her from the plot. It never shows enough ambition to qualify as a bad movie, but too many wasted opportunities can't help but leave an aftertaste of mild disappointment.