The Big Easy (1986)

Salute to Bad Cops Movie #7 (Click the link to read Matthew Coe Hill’s spirited review of this film)

Synopsis: She’s a little frumpy, he’s a little sleazy; together, they knock boots and solve crimes in The Big Easy!

Blurb From the VHS Jacket: “When a hood’s murder triggers a bloody gangland drug war, detective Remy McSwain (DENNIS QUAID) is on the scene. He’s a smooth-takin’ cop who fits right in with the easy style of Cajun country. Remy meets his match in Anne Osborne (ELLEN BARKIN), a no-nonsense Assistant District Attorney in town to investigate police corruption. At odds from the moment they meet, their electrically-charged attraction keeps the sparks flying.”

What Did I Learn?: 1)  If you’re going bald, don’t buy a bad toupee. It’s cruel, but your chums in the office will take great delight in ripping it from your head and throwing it around the room.

You Might Like This Movie If: You know that in spite of a bit of penny-ante corruption, New Orleans has a top-notch police force filled with lots of dedicated officers like Remy McSwain.  

Really?: So wait...Remy and Anne are lovers, yet she doesn’t recuse herself from prosecuting him for accepting a bribe? And after Remy beats the charge, he actually wants to patch things up with her? Come on...

Rating: Action definitely takes a backseat to the romance/sex scenes in The Big Easy (Ellen Barkin is pretty sexy in this film) . It’s an enjoyable movie, although both Quaid and Barkin are obviously acting (he has a strange, manic energy, while she overdoes the frumpiness), and the ending is a bit lacklustre...you just know that Remy can outsmart those two clowns.  7/10 stars.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092654/