gavin6942 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.I love the police stories, the corruption angle, the idea of the mob being in New Orleans (which is true, but probably not very strongly so by the 1980s). What makes me give this such a low rating is the bizarre accents. I mean, what? No two people seem to have the same accent, and I have no idea what Quaid was trying to do. His acting is great, but the voice is atrocious. I would rather he spoke normal and we forgive him the lack of accent than be presented the voice he gives us here -- even if it might be more accurate (I really don't know).

NateWatchesCoolMovies For a film about violence, crime and police corruption, The Big Easy sure is easy going and colorful. The characters are the liveliest bunch of rascals and it's a pleasure to spend every minute with them. Dennis Quaid plays cocky New Orleans detective Remy McSwain, a swaggering smooth talker who's gotten wealthy taking payoffs, a dude whose silky charm matches his swanky suits. He's gotten used to the easy life in the police department, with a captain who looks the other way (Ned Beatty brings a jovial, rotund presence), and colleagues (John Goodman is perfectly cast as the witty loudmouth of the bunch) who are just as happily willing to bend the rules as him. Trouble arrives in the sultry form of D.A. corruption task force specialist Anne Osborne (a swelteringly hot Ellen Barkin) who leans on Quaid as heavily as he hits on her. There's immediate and electric chemistry between them, which she adamantly fights, and he chases like a horn dog pursuing the bumper of a speeding Buick. Quaid and Barkin have the same spitfire sheen to their work, their careers dotted with performances that are flashy yet brave, pulpy yet laced with depth. Here they're having oodles of fun and carry the entire film on their crackling star power and romantic spark alone. There's also a subplot involving a rash of gang killings, as well as family matters involving Quaid's vivacious Cajun clan, including his Momma (monumentally talented Grace Zabriskie). It's a lively hodge-podge of plot elements we've seen a zillion times, but given such flippant style and good natured southern hospitality that we can't help but be won over. There's some lovely live performed Cajun music as well to add extra spice.

Tim Johnson It is 10:20 PM and D and I have just finished watching this wonderful movie on tape while marveling over our Western Australian T Bone steaks and brilliant south-western wine. We have watched the Big Easy before, loved it and D thought it would be suitable for a Friday night—it was! I am a particular fan of Louisiana accents and Quaid carried it off perfectly, to my decrepit ears (I have read the negative comments from residents of the city). I like movies and TV shows for their image appeal and I found this particular movie excellent in all respects. Admittedly, I have only been to New Orleans twice in my 62 years but to all who know her she is one(or at least was before Katrina) of the five best cities in the US.But to the movie: the acting, the script and the settings were exemplary; working with the subject of bent cops is not an easy one, so the producers should feel special for having even tried it. Setting the story in Huey Long's backyard brings particular vinegar to the story and like a good dressing, always adds piquancy to the outcome that cannot be ignored.The Big Easy is a movie to be saved; a movie whose subject, acting and visuals will live as a look back at a place that no longer exists except in the memory of old guys like me who wish that time could stand still, at least until my eyes refocus . It is worth the trouble to find and watch.

Prof-Hieronymos-Grost Det. Remy McSwain (Dennis Quaid) is a New Orleans cop investigating the seemingly routine death of a wise guy, he is surprised by the amount of interest being shown by the new District Attorney Anne Osborne (Ellen Barkin). McSwain is a cocky fun loving kind of guy and he is soon trying it on with Osborne. She doesn't resist to hard but soon she realises she must end this relationship as there will be a conflict of interest as she is also investigating corruption in his precinct. Mc Swain is entrapped by an Internal Affairs sting, but when evidence goes missing, Mc Swain is cleared. As the bodies build up in the seemingly escalating gang war, Mc Swain and Osborne finally come together to as real truth is revealed. Decent Neo Noir, that doesn't take itself too seriously playing a lot scenes for laughs. It also follows the seemingly de-rigeur 80's phenomenon that all Noirs need to be steamy, although this one doesn't quite ratchet up the sexiness as much as others of the era. The ending is the low point of the film, its very abrupt and a little to Disney for this crime fan.