
The Big Easy
1986, Crime/Drama, 1h 41m
37 Reviews 5,000+ RatingsWhat to know
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
Cast & Crew
Det. Remy McSwain
Anne Osborne
Jack Kellom
Detective Andre DeSoto
Ed Dodge
McCabe
News & Interviews for The Big Easy
Critic Reviews for The Big Easy
All Critics (37) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (33) | Rotten (4)
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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… -
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… -
Oooowee, here is one scorchingly sexy movie.
July 31, 2013 | Full Review… -
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… -
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… -
It's sleek, briskly paced, firmly controlled and shrewdly dosed with humor, action and romance.
July 31, 2013 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for The Big Easy
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Jan 15, 2017Erm... 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
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Dec 10, 2011Hoping 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
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Sep 06, 2010Like 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
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Sep 01, 2008Well,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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