The Big Easy Movie Review

Although purists might deny that today's color film noir efforts approach the excellence of the crisp black-and-white noir visions of another time, The Big Easy by Daniel Petrie Jr. certainly comes close. One of the best things about the film is its realistic depiction of sex between two people who don't know each other very well. Only in the movies are such pairings flawless, and The Big Easy shows some of the timing and pacing problems that are more true to real life. Then, the script keeps the mismatched couple at odds with each other for most of the film, and with gifted actors like Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin, the resulting under-currents in emotion between the pair are more erotic than a dozen bedroom scenes would be. The New Orleans atmosphere and music add spice to this tale of a cop and a lawyer investigating police corruption in the New South, and the supporting cast members, with the exception of one wimp of a villain, are extremely well chosen. A bit by perennial film noir heavy Marc Lawrence adds to the fun.

1987 (R) 101m/C Dennis Quaid, Ellen Barkin, Ned Beatty, John Goodman, Ebbe Roe Smith, Charles Ludlam, Lisa Jane Persky, Tom O'Brien, Grace Zabriskie, Marc Lawrence; D: Jim McBride; W: Dan Petrie Jr.; C: Alfonso Beato; M: Brad Fiedel. Independent Spirit Awards ‘88: Best Actor (Quaid). VHS, LV, Closed Caption