The Big Easy (1986)

A corrupt lieutenant in the homicide division is threatened by the righteous DA while trying to solve a string of mysterious murders.

Director:

Jim McBride

Writer:

Daniel Petrie Jr. (screenplay by)

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.

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Plot Keywords:

seduction | lust | cleavage | new orleans louisiana | neo noir | 

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Taglines:

Her job is to expose a cop on the take. Putting him away won't be easy. Neither will letting him go.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 August 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nothing But The Truth

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Gross USA:

$17,685,307

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

According to the American Film Institute: "The location of Remy's first date with Anne was a Cajun dance hall called Rosie's, an establishment that closed after the film completed."

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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.

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Quotes

Lamar Parmentel: New Orleans is a marvelous environment for coincidence.

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Alternate Versions

While the UK theatrical release ends with the boat exploding, a fade out and cutting to Remy and Anne dancing around on their wedding night, the UK video release has an extra scene which features Anne talking Remy out of resigning and Remy proposing marriage.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Joe Garagiola/Dennis Wolfberg/Lisa Jane Persky (1987)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Simply the BEST.

I'm sorry that people from New Orleans don't like this one. As someone who has lived in New York City and its environs for her entire life, I have PLENTY to say about innacuracies in movies and TV shows made about my home town. But if, as in this case, the final product can overcome any inaccuracies, why complain? Forget about the nitpicky details and have fun.

Sure, Dennis Quaid's accent is over the top. Sure, they got some things about New Orleans wrong. But who cares? The plot and the acting are both terrific, and the chemistry between Quaid and Barkin is potent; even when their characters are not speaking to each other, it's still pretty obvious that they can't keep their hands off each other. The love scene is done beautifully, and is far sexier than it would have been had it been more graphic.

I just wish the DVD treatment had been better. Other than that, I give The Big Easy 8 out of 10.