The Big Easy

The Big Easy (1987)
Director: Jim McBride
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Ellen Barkin, Ned Beatty, John Goodman
Memorable Line: "This is the Big Easy. Folks have a certain way o' doin' things down here."

Murder, intrigue and lust -- Cajun style.

I wasn't all that impressed with The Big Easy upon my initial viewing, but upon a new look, I can say that it fares well over time. There are some uneven moments, though.

The story follows the volatile uniting of a charismatic and free-wheeling cop, Remy (Quaid), and the repressed, yet attractive new district attorney, Anne (Barkin). Remy is a cop who plays it loose and easy. Anne is a by the numbers litigator. He's laid back and she's uptight. A match made in, well, in many movie scripts. In the midst of a murder case, they butt heads and he tries his best to woe her, but she initially resists. In the end, his charm his too much. Then the charm is broken when Remy is caught up in what seems to be rampant police corruption. He must face what he's become and she must find a way to reconcile her distaste of what he does and her feelings. And they both have to survive as their case blows up their faces.

There are some tonal problems in The Big Easy that noticeable. The film can't quite figure out what it is at times - thriller, sultry romance, or comedy and more than a couple times it looses its way. Still the center holds and the sparks do fly between Quaid and Barkin. The script is both witty and smart. I think the direction could have been a little more tight as some of the acting seems less than polished across all the performances.

Even with it's blemishes, The Big Easy is still a worth viewing.