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The Big Easy

Play trailer Poster for The Big Easy R 1987 1h 41m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
90% Tomatometer 39 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Colorful drama, set in New Orleans, about the relationship which develops between a young police lieutenant and an uncompromising female DA who is unimpressed with the bribery and corruption which is rife in his department. A vicious gang war is also simmering and looks set to erupt at any moment, as the murder of a Mafia soldier is followed swiftly by the killing of three drug-dealing gangsters.
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The Big Easy

The Big Easy

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Critics Consensus

Loaded with atmosphere and drenched in the sizzling chemistry between Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin, The Big Easy remains one of the strongest -- and steamiest -- thrillers of the 1980s.

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Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety Jul 31, 2013
Until conventional plot contrivances begin to spoil the fun, The Big Easy is a snappy, sassy battle of the sexes in the guise of a melodrama about police corruption. Go to Full Review Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer Jul 31, 2013
3/4
The Big Easy is an extremely enjoyable (and well-lubricated) vehicle for two actors who aren't quite yet stars, but should be. Go to Full Review Peter Travers People Magazine Jul 31, 2013
Oooowee, here is one scorchingly sexy movie. Go to Full Review Sean Burns Crooked Marquee May 18, 2026
It was exceedingly rare even then for an American movie to make sex look like this much fun. Go to Full Review Richard Freedman Newark Star-Ledger Jan 14, 2026
There is nothing easy about its own attitude, which is moral without being censorious.... with actors as engaging as Barkin and Quaid to say nothing of the ever-reliable Beatty the process is a delight to watch. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Apr 16, 2023
3/4
As much a love story as a murder-mystery, and Quaid and Barkin are beautifully matched. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Cocoa P @CoCoa365 Jul 22, 2026 Let's be honest, the film did not age well. The Big Easy is one big stereotype made by powerful males, for males. The Big Easy isn't New Orleans, it's the DA's personal life. A stereotypical northern woman is conquered by a charming corrupt Cajun cop. Oh, the over acting. Quaid's accent deserves its own credit. Supporting characters equal perp, prophet, background music and zydeco perfume. Spray on voodoo and sweat, call it authenticity. It says: Harlequin romance. Local color as costume. 1986 film, 2026 eyes. What betrays Anne is the suit, increasingly disheveled as principles fail. Vs NCIS it is day and night. Here corruption is charming. There it is the case, Gibbs would cuff Remy in act one. Here power is seduced out of a woman. There NCIS women keep expertise and clothes on. Anne deserved better than a lesson in loosening up. Women deserve better. New Orleans deserves better. Chicory deserves better, locals will appreciate that. We have come a long way, baby. See more S. O @Col._Angus Jun 26, 2026 Young Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin are great in this, and John Goodman and Ned Beatty play roles a little outside of their norm. the movie itself is a good watch, albeit a little dated now. But it's a nice throwback See more kevenquinlan T @RT75276071 Aug 4, 2025 A very enjoyable film. Love seeing a super young Quaid and Barken. It's a keeper. See more Karin T @ktdidnt May 27, 2025 I was born and raised in New Orleans, and this is the worst portrayal of the city that I've ever seen. People there do NOT talk or act like this. And the movie's plot was criminally bad, to boot. See more Michael R @RT20874625 Sep 22, 2024 Reading the critic's reviews of this movie. Did we watch the same one? This is not a "sexy thriller"; this is a slapstick comedy that's not very well-acted. I remember liking it in 1987 but after re-watching it, it doesn't hold up at all. See more Alec B @Alec97 Jan 10, 2024 I appreciate the fast paced dialogue which does recall older noir films but I wish that certain narrative choices (i.e. having Barkin prosecute Quaid) were less silly. See more Read all reviews
The Big Easy

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Cast & Crew

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Jim McBride

Director

Dennis Quaid

Det. Remy McSwain

Ellen Barkin

Anne Osborne

Ned Beatty

Jack Kellom

John Goodman

Detective Andre DeSoto

Ebbe Roe Smith

Ed Dodge

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The Big Easy

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The Big Easy

The Big Easy (1986) The Big Easy (1986) The Big Easy (1986) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Colorful drama, set in New Orleans, about the relationship which develops between a young police lieutenant and an uncompromising female DA who is unimpressed with the bribery and corruption which is rife in his department. A vicious gang war is also simmering and looks set to erupt at any moment, as the murder of a Mafia soldier is followed swiftly by the killing of three drug-dealing gangsters.
Director
Jim McBride
Producer
Stephen Friedman
Screenwriter
Jim McBride, Daniel Petrie Jr., Gordon Greisman, Jack Baran
Production Co
Kings Road Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 27, 1987, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$15.5M
Runtime
1h 41m
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