The Big Easy (1986)

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, a beautiful attorney from the D.A.'s police ... See full summary »

Director:

Jim McBride

Writer:

Daniel Petrie Jr. (screenplay)

Stars:

Dennis Quaid, Ellen Barkin, Ned Beatty

4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dennis Quaid	...	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 Saint Pe'	...	Patrolman (as Edward St. Pe)
Robert Lesser	...	'Silky' Foster

Storyline

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, a beautiful attorney from the D.A.'s police corruption task force in his office. He begins a relationship with her as the killings continue only to have charges filed against him for accepting bribes as he stumbles on a police corruption Sting. While this is happening, the criminals insist that none of the crime gangs are behind the killings.

---

Plot Keywords:

police corruption | police | corruption | murder | erotica | 

---

Taglines:

Police action at its best

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 August 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Big Ea$y

Filming Locations:

Moss St. by Cabrini High School, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$17,685,307 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kings Road Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both Ellen Barkin and Dennis Quaid consider this the favorite of all the films they've made.

---

Goofs

When Remy is getting dressed before going to the Storyville Triple Murder scene, he has his shirt, tie and jacket on when he asks if she's sure that he should come back, while standing at the foot of the bed. In the next shot, he is in the doorway with his shirt on but completely unbuttoned, and his jacket and tie over his arm.

---

Quotes

Remy McSwain: If I can't have you, can I have my gator?

---

Connections

Followed by The Big Easy (1996)

---

Soundtracks

DON'T YOU JUST KNOW IT
Composed & Performed by Huey P. Smith (as Huey "Piano" Smith)

User Reviews

Good thriller with great chemistry.

The Big Easy is a fairly straightforward thriller about police corruption - a little predictable, but with occasional clever touches - but the apparent chemistry between Quaid and Barkin is outstanding, making this one of the steamiest movies I've ever seen (much hotter than 9 1/2 weeks, and with the benefit of a plot and sympathetic characters). Accents aside (I'm only an occasional visitor to New Orleans, and not qualified to judge), the other performances are also excellent, especially Beatty and Goodman as corrupt cops, and there are also some gut-bustingly funny moments and a wonderful soundtrack. The film may not do justice to modern New Orleans, but then, what movie ever did?