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The Big Easy (1986)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Daniel Petrie Jr. (writer)
Release Date:
21 August 1987 (USA)
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Tagline:
Between them lies the fate of the state of New Orleans more
Plot:
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...
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Plot Keywords:
Awards:
4 wins
&
4 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(14 articles)
December 11: DVD alternatives to this weekend’s multiplex offerings
(From FlickFilosopher. 11 December 2009, 12:19 PM, PST)
Mendes' Anger At New Orleans Aftermath
(From WENN. 12 November 2009, 4:11 AM, PST)
(From FlickFilosopher. 11 December 2009, 12:19 PM, PST)
Mendes' Anger At New Orleans Aftermath
(From WENN. 12 November 2009, 4:11 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Steamy romance and an interesting thriller...
more (47 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Dennis Quaid | ... | Det. Remy McSwain | |
| Ellen Barkin | ... | Anne Osborne | |
| Ned Beatty | ... | Jack Kellom | |
| John Goodman | ... | Det. Andre DeSoto | |
| Lisa Jane Persky | ... | McCabe | |
| Ebbe Roe Smith | ... | Ed Dodge | |
| Tom O'Brien | ... | Bobby McSwain | |
| Charles Ludlam | ... | Lamar Parmentel | |
| Grace Zabriskie | ... | Mama | |
| Marc Lawrence | ... | Vinnie 'The Cannon' DiMotti | |
| Solomon Burke | ... | Daddy Mention | |
| Gailard Sartain | ... | Chef Paul | |
| Jim Chimento | ... | Freddie Angelo | |
| Edward St. Pe | ... | Patrolman | |
| Robert Lesser | ... | 'Silky' Foster |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
The Big Crackdown (Philippines: English title)
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Parents Guide:
Runtime:
102 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:14+ (Ontario) |
Netherlands:12 |
Australia:M |
Finland:K-16 |
France:U |
Norway:15 (DVD rating) |
Norway:16 (original rating) |
Singapore:NC-16 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:15 |
USA:R |
West Germany:16 |
Iceland:16
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The production company was aided greatly in its ability to film in and around New Orleans by the state's Film Commission. Shortly after this film (which is about political corruption) premiered, several members of the Film Commission were indicted in a kickback scandal.
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Goofs:
Continuity: Anne's necklace just after Daddy Mention is killed.
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Quotes:
Remy McSwain:
If I can't have you, can I have my gator?
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Movie Connections:
Featured in Shooting the Police: Cops on Film (2006) (TV)
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Soundtrack:
MANON LESCAUT
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (47 total)
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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.