The Big Easy

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The Big Easy

R

1987

1h 41m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

39 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

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.

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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.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Jul 31, 2013

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.

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Carrie Rickey

Philadelphia Inquirer

Jul 31, 2013

3/4

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

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Peter Travers

People Magazine

Jul 31, 2013

Oooowee, here is one scorchingly sexy movie.

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Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

May 18, 2026

It was exceedingly rare even then for an American movie to make sex look like this much fun.

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Richard Freedman

Newark Star-Ledger

Jan 14, 2026

There is nothing easy about its own attitude, which is moral without being censorious.... with actors as engaging as Barkin and Quaid to say nothing of the ever-reliable Beatty the process is a delight to watch.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Apr 16, 2023

3/4

As much a love story as a murder-mystery, and Quaid and Barkin are beautifully matched.

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Cocoa P

@CoCoa365 Jul 22, 2026

Let's be honest, the film did not age well. The Big Easy is one big stereotype made by powerful males, for males. The Big Easy isn't New Orleans, it's the DA's personal life. A stereotypical northern woman is conquered by a charming corrupt Cajun cop. Oh, the over acting. Quaid's accent deserves its own credit. Supporting characters equal perp, prophet, background music and zydeco perfume. Spray on voodoo and sweat, call it authenticity. It says: Harlequin romance. Local color as costume. 1986 film, 2026 eyes. What betrays Anne is the suit, increasingly disheveled as principles fail. Vs NCIS it is day and night. Here corruption is charming. There it is the case, Gibbs would cuff Remy in act one. Here power is seduced out of a woman. There NCIS women keep expertise and clothes on. Anne deserved better than a lesson in loosening up. Women deserve better. New Orleans deserves better. Chicory deserves better, locals will appreciate that. We have come a long way, baby.

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S. O

@Col._Angus Jun 26, 2026

Young Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin are great in this, and John Goodman and Ned Beatty play roles a little outside of their norm. the movie itself is a good watch, albeit a little dated now. But it's a nice throwback

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kevenquinlan T

@RT75276071 Aug 4, 2025

A very enjoyable film. Love seeing a super young Quaid and Barken. It's a keeper.

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Karin T

@ktdidnt May 27, 2025

I was born and raised in New Orleans, and this is the worst portrayal of the city that I've ever seen. People there do NOT talk or act like this. And the movie's plot was criminally bad, to boot.

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Michael R

@RT20874625 Sep 22, 2024

Reading the critic's reviews of this movie. Did we watch the same one? This is not a "sexy thriller"; this is a slapstick comedy that's not very well-acted. I remember liking it in 1987 but after re-watching it, it doesn't hold up at all.

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Alec B

@Alec97 Jan 10, 2024

I appreciate the fast paced dialogue which does recall older noir films but I wish that certain narrative choices (i.e. having Barkin prosecute Quaid) were less silly.

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Jim McBride

Director

Dennis Quaid

Det. Remy McSwain

Ellen Barkin

Anne Osborne

Ned Beatty

Jack Kellom

John Goodman

Detective Andre DeSoto

Ebbe Roe Smith

Ed Dodge

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Jim McBride
Producer: Stephen Friedman
Screenwriter: Jim McBride, Daniel Petrie Jr., Gordon Greisman, Jack Baran
Production Co: Kings Road Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 27, 1987, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $15.5M
Runtime: 1h 41m

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