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critics consensus

Loaded with atmosphere and drenched in the sizzling chemistry between Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin, The Big Easy remains one of the strongest -- and steamiest -- thrillers of the 1980s. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Colorful drama, set in New Orleans, about the relationship which develops between a young police lieutenant and an uncompromising female DA who is unimpressed with the bribery and corruption which is rife in his department. A vicious gang war is also simmering and looks set to erupt at any moment, as the murder of a Mafia soldier is followed swiftly by the killing of three drug-dealing gangsters.

Cast & Crew

Dennis Quaid
Det. Remy McSwain
Ellen Barkin
Anne Osborne
Ned Beatty
Jack Kellom
John Goodman
Detective Andre DeSoto
Ebbe Roe Smith
Ed Dodge
Lisa Jane Persky
McCabe
Charles Ludlam
Lamar Parmentel
Tom O'Brien
Bobby McSwain
Grace Zabriskie
Mama
Marc Lawrence
Vinnie "The Cannon" DiMotti
Jim McBride
Director
Jim McBride
Screenwriter
Daniel Petrie Jr.
Screenwriter
Gordon Greisman
Screenwriter
Jack Baran
Screenwriter
Stephen Friedman
Producer
Mort Engelberg
Executive Producer
Affonso Beato
Cinematographer
Brad Fiedel
Original Music
Mia Goldman
Film Editor
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News & Interviews for The Big Easy

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Critic Reviews for The Big Easy

All Critics (37) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (33) | Rotten (4)

  • Until conventional plot contrivances begin to spoil the fun, The Big Easy is a snappy, sassy battle of the sexes in the guise of a melodrama about police corruption.

    July 31, 2013 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety

  • The Big Easy is an extremely enjoyable (and well-lubricated) vehicle for two actors who aren't quite yet stars, but should be.

    July 31, 2013 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Carrie Rickey

    Philadelphia Inquirer

  • Oooowee, here is one scorchingly sexy movie.

    July 31, 2013 | Full Review…

    Peter Travers

    People Magazine

  • The Big Easy is as atmospheric as they come, but -- surprise! -- it's also sharp and swift. Plus, it has ample amounts of chemistry -- the steamy, sexy kind.

    July 31, 2013 | Full Review…

    Jay Boyar

    Orlando Sentinel

  • The film's strength is director Jim McBride's seemingly easy way of presenting us with a New Orleans that is more malevolent and intoxicating than the tourist trap that some think it to be.

    July 31, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Gene Siskel

    Chicago Tribune

  • It's sleek, briskly paced, firmly controlled and shrewdly dosed with humor, action and romance.

    July 31, 2013 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Dave Kehr

    Chicago Tribune
View All Critic Reviews (37)

Audience Reviews for The Big Easy

  • Jan 15, 2017
    Erm... I liked the music? And the colour scheme was very interesting. But, I found Dennis Quaid's character endlessly irritating and the male posturing wearying. The central relationship is unconvincing at best, rapey at worst, and the story just doesn't grip in the way it should. The film garners momentum when John Goodman's character shows up, but it's largely too little too late.
    Daniel P Super Reviewer
  • Dec 10, 2011
    Hoping for solid 80s film noir (such as the excellent Body Heat, and even Mindhunter), I instead got an unfocused film with a very uneven tone. Dennis Quaid is good, and the chemistry between him and Ellen Barkin works well, but the plot of the film is predictable and often borderline silly. Many other films have done the New Orleans atmosphere better, there's much more too it than clever humor and over-the-top accents. The film shifts from romance to mystery to drama, with no real sense of what came before or after it.
    Jeffrey M Super Reviewer
  • Sep 06, 2010
    Like the synopsis on here says, this movie is more of a romance than a crime thriller or drama, they could have called it cops in love. I found the whole cop romance thing really boring, and the rest of the story even more boring.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
  • Sep 01, 2008
    Well,i usually start my reviews by saying what type of film it was but i'm not actually sure and to be honest i don't think the film makers knew either!It was described as a "steamy thriller" which to be honest is why i checked it out, but there was no steam.Anywhere. Basically, this smarmy cop played by dennis quaid is not only investigating corruption but seems to be involved in it to, so a weird looking from some angles, attractive from others district attorney is sent in to check out local murders and stuff and its not long before Quaids' charming her with his funny voiced ways as she discovers that his characters more than just a cop,he's a bit of a badboy to.This doesn't seem to know if it wants to be a thriller or a comedy so sits uneasily between both.Misleading cover to, the dirty bastards!
    Adam M Super Reviewer
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