The Big Easy
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Movie Reviews of The Big Easy
Movie Review: A crime drama with a Cajun twist!
Summary: 5 Stars
A true classic and a definite original for its time. Starring such movie icons as Dennis Quaid, Ellen Barkin, and Ned Beaty, this is the type of movie anyone could enjoy.
The Big Easy follows the life of easy-going Lieutenant Remy McSwaine (Quaid) of the New Orleans police department homicide division as he investigates what appears to be an impending gang war starting with a series of murders on some of the most ruthless gangsters in New Orleans. However, straight-laced Assistant District Attorney Ann Osborn (Barkin) sees things differently as she inserts herself into the investigation, looking at police corruption being the cause. But when they put aside their differences they feel a growing attraction to one another, one that allows them to put aside their differences a few times.
Despite their growing relationship, Ann doesn't ease up on trying to uncover the truth about the murders. Remy feels the same way, but he can't see why a cop would do all this. However, his idea of police corruption is different from how the District Attorney and Internal Affairs see it as they catch him accepting a bribe. What makes it harder for Remy is that he knows it's illegal, but he and many others on such a take consider it a side benefit to being a cop. But it's this incident that damages his relationship with Ann almost permanently and it takes many revelations on the murders to bring them back together again.
This movie is very detailed in portraying the deeds of the New Orleans Police Department that corrupted it for so long. It also works to make Remy and Ann's relationship believable. The mix of a cop with poor judgment and a coy lawyer creates great sparks and it comes off realistic. Both Quaid and Barkin have excellent chemistry and definitely display the best of their acting ability. Barkin works well to show Ann struggling with her feelings. You can see she really cares about Remy but his hand in the corruption weighs heavily upon her mind. And Quaid falls almost naturally into Remy's role, shining his bright smile and showing how much he cares for Ann and for his family as well.
This is a definite must for fans of crime drama, but it's like a mix of genres. It's the type of movie for everyone. Don't bother renting it, it's better bought.
Movie Review: party on down, Cher!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
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!!!
Movie Review: A nice slice of New Orleans topped with crime and romance...
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Movie Review: Cajun Spice
Summary: 5 Stars
This colorful and fast moving film from director Jim McBride about an only slightly corrupt cop in the "Big Easy" and the pretty Assistant District Attorney sent to investigate the department is filled with cajun spice and atmosphere. The lines between right and wrong are blurred like a rainy windshield in this lightning paced and very sexy cop film.
Dennis Quaid gives a terrific performance as Remy McSwain, a second generation cop who sold out early on in his career, accepting it as the norm but not letting it hinder him from doing his job. When the prim but sexy Ellen Barkin arrives on the scene in the form of D.A. Anne Osborne, he attempts to wine and dine his way out of trouble as the bodies start piling up in an apparent drug war.
The charged encounters between Remy and the shy Anne blend seamlessly with some very brutal crime scenes and a lot of New Orleans' music to propel this film at a breezy and very enjoyable pace. When Remy's own corruption is exposed, their relationship becomes more complicated when he tampers with evidence and gets off. But her comment to him that he is no longer one of the 'good guys' causes him to take a serious look at himself. When cops are discovered to be behind all the recent drug trouble, the answers will hit far too close to home.
A very unique cop thriller that manages to maintain a light and breezy ambiance throughout, this is one of the most memorable films of its kind. Its spicy flavor goes down easy and makes you crave more. A supporting cast that includes Ned Beatty, John Goodman, and Lisa Jane Persky, offer fine support in this very seductive and one of a kind film you must see. Pick this one up today!
Movie Review: Great movie
Summary: 5 Stars
A mystery set in New Orleans -- with Cajun music, sexy love scenes, and a great cast. This movie manages to be fun and suspenseful at the same time.
Remy McSwain is a New Orleans police lieutenant (played with a grin by Dennis Quaid), and Ann Osbourne is a district attorney. She's come to New Orleans to investigate police corruption. He takes her out on the town, and when he scores a free meal at a restaurant, she berates him for taking advantage of police "perks". McSwain says perks are part of the job, and he refuses to believe the police are corrupt. "You investigate cops for a living? We're the good guys, Ann!" Despite their differences, he flirts outrageously with her, and soon they're romantically involved.
In the meantime, a gruesome series of murders are piling up in New Orleans. Two witnesses claim to have seen an unmarked police car leaving the scene of a homicide. At first McSwain doesn't believe the police could be suspects, no matter what Ann says. He thinks the murders are part of a gang war. Yet as the violence escalates, he realizes there might be killers in his squad.
Dennis Quaid has terrific chemistry with Ellen Barkin (who plays the district attorney). The movie evokes New Orleans, it works as a romance, and it works as a thriller, too.