The Big Easy

Rating:
Summary: Definitely one of MY favorite movies!
Review: It's a shame they chose that picture for the cover of this film! I feel like I have a porno on my video shelf! Don't judge a film by its cover though. This is one of those rare occassions where a movie that does not seem like my type of movie, really did it for me! What I mean is, I normally can't sit still very long for a movie about cops trying to unravel a crime Mystery, without the help of any kind of supernatural or comic book heroes that is! But this movie, it's just wonderful! Why? Because it has so much style! The setting is, obviously, "The Big Easy," New Orleans to those who don't know. Dennis Quaid is Remy McSwain, a good-hearted, yet crooked cop, much like all the other cops he works with. Unfortunately, while working on what will be the most important case of his life, Ellen Barkin shows up as the new Assistant D.A., on a mission to bust the crooked cops of New Orleans. Quaid immediately starts putting the moves on Barkin, while she does her best to remain frigid. Of course, no woman can seem to resist Quaid's charms, and so... It all adds up to one big crime-drama romance, but the star of this film, not to take away anything from the wonderful performances of Quaid and Barkin, is the City of New Orleans, even if it IS a blaitant stereotype as some people have said. The music, the accents, the general mood this film creates around its' characters and story is what keeps you engrossed! This is a movie that everyone should try at least once. You may hate it, but you may love it, and believe me, the type of movies you normally like and don't apply here! As I said, I normally just don't go for this cop stuff, but here this is, one of my favorite movies from now on! I just wish they didn't take the TV series off! I mean, it took them, what, ten years to even realize this would make a good show? And then it lasts like 2 seasons or something. Do yourself a favor, rent this, and if you like it, buy the DVD!

Rating:
Summary: The Big Queasy
Review: I lived in New Orleans for four years, was very active in the local music scene, and even got married there before moving to NYC. This movie is awful. I spent the first hour laughing at the movies characitures, stereotypes, and falsehoods - then fast forwarding through the second half (which drags due to a really bad script). Anyone who thinks that this film is at all representative of New Orleans culture has notlived in New Orleans. This film doesn't even work as camp. A decent film about New Orleans has yet to be made in my opinion, although I understand that Louis Malle's Pretty Baby is quite good.

The film is really sexist too - I can think of a dozen films much sexier than The Big Easy...

Rating:
Summary: Why can't I find a man who will call ME "chère"?
Review: This is the perfect couple's movie. Guys will like the police action (chases, gunfire) and the mystery driving the plot. Women may like those elements too, but they'll surely be hot and bothered by Dennis Quaid's Remy McSwain, singing to Ellen Barkin's Anne Osborne and dancing sweetly with her even though she's "got a mad on". When she confesses that she's never had much luck with sex and he assures her that her luck's about to change...well, what woman's heart doesn't melt? Watch it with the one you love, then turn on some Cajun music and create your own steam heat.

Rating:
Summary: Senseous and hot and drama--who could ask for more
Review: I love Dennis Quaid and I love the New Orleans scene. The Big Easy is a timeless movie. I have watched it many times when I need a dose of romance and action.

Rating:
Summary: The things you don't learn in law school
Review: Make sure that the kids have gone to bed or to camp before you watch this one. The stars are Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin. It is a dandy "cop" film, but the cover says it is spiced to the gills with New Orleans nightlife, steamy romance and sultry suspense. The steamy romance is described as electrically charged attraction [which] keeps the sparks flying. It is rated R and not for naughty language. Ellen Barkin's role is tough-girl DA. She also has a degree in heavy breathing and panting a lot. If you have teen age boys in the family let them watch The Big Easy. It will teach them a lot about good and bad people.

Rating:
Summary: MPAA - Give us a break!
Review: This is a favorite midnight movie for my 30something generation. Problem is, this is only half the film it ought to be. There is an alternate version (which you might be able to track down if you have relatives living in Greece) which is a WHOLE LOT BETTER.

Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin have a relationship that you care about, several odd continuity glitches suddenly make sense (once you realise what they had to cut out).

DVD was made for putting movies that got hacked apart back together. Even if the missing parts just get offered as 'EXTRA MISSING SEQUENCES', they ought to be there - especially for Zone One.

Rating:
Summary: Great movie!
Review: I've never been to New Orleans, so I can't vouch for the accuract of the film in that regard. Nevertheless, I love the whole atmosphere of the film, right down to the inconsistent accents. The romance is great and I love its portayal of the way corruption can creep up on a person.

Rating:
Summary: Great Fun, Despite the Silly Mistakes
Review: Don't get me wrong. I really love this movie and I watch it over and over. But that doesn't change the fact that it's silly and unlikely.

The accents are silly, the locations are gratuitous. To believe any part of "The Big Easy" is to believe that everyone in New Orleans is Cajun, there's always a parade going on somewhere and someone could actually jog in midsummer without dying of heat and humidity.

Once past that, however, the leads are charming, the writing is snappy and the scenery is...well, New Orleans. What more do you need?

Rating:
Summary: This film needs a Director's Cut DVD version
Review: There is one version of this film which puts near-contemporary 'Body Heat' to shame for plotting, action and the amazing sensual rapport between the two main players.

Sadly, this DVD version has about ten minutes of cuts, compared to the full version.

There really is no excuse for this; since one of the main selling points of the DVD format has been that it includes material excised from (some) theatrical and video release versions.

We did it for 'Blade Runner'; we can do it here.

The campaign starts now.

Rating:
Summary: Laissez bon temps roulez!
Review: You are immediately drawn into the undercurrent of what makes N'Awlins tick as you pop this movie into your VCR. From the instant they appear on screen together, Quaid and Barkin are on fire. This crime caper definitely has "lagniappe" . . . a little something extra for everyone! Not only action, there's the hot romance and humor. Ned Beatty takes a fine part in this film as well. Quaid, as Remy, has ruined me for everything else he's done since. I look for Remy every time I return to the Big Easy!