The Big Easy

An atmospheric and sexy crime caper, this stars Dennis Quaid as a New Orleans police detective. He's a smooth talker who butts heads with the new assistant district attorney, Ellen Barkin. She's rigid and plays by the rules; he is mildly corrupt. They soon find themselves romantically entwined, and a bit chagrined.

Director Jim McBride (Great Balls of Fire) was in top form with this 1987 sizzler. You may not remember the particulars of the plot, which concerns supposed gang killings and police corruption, because it is the romance that has staying power. Blame this on Quaid and Barkin, who send off enough sparks to light up Bourbon Street. They are not only sexy together, but endearing, which makes you want to like them as much as they like each other.
--Rochelle O'Gorman




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. While this is happening, the criminals insist that none of the crime gangs are behind the killings.
Written by John Vogel {jlvogel@comcast.net}




McSwain reckons he's an honest cop, though he's happy to go along with the kickbacks from the precinct 'Widows and Orphans Fund'. When it comes to murder he's definitely on the right side and is irritated to find his latest investigation being followed by Anne Osborne from the D.A.'s office. Out of work they hit it off pretty quickly, making it difficult for Anne to handle when his more questionable activities come to light and she has to prosecute him. In turn McSwain starts to suspect that he's investigating something more than mob slayings.
Written by Jeremy Perkins {jwp@aber.ac.uk}




SYNOPSIS

In the New Orleans Police department Detective Remy McSwain (Dennis Quaid) is trying to find out what's behind the recent assassinations of local Mafia tough guys. Believing it is related to a large shipment of drugs that have gone missing from the local dealers, McSwain is hampered in his investigation by the presence of the new District Attorney Anne Osborne (Ellen Barkin) who is involved because she believes that the police themselves are involved in the drug dealing and murders. McSwain and Osborne are immediately attracted to each other partly for their common interest in fighting crime and seeing justice done, but as opposite types of characters they simultaneously rebuffed and excited by each other. Things become even more complicated when McSwain is arrested for taking bribes and is tried by Osborne herself. When a key piece of evidence is destroyed thus forcing the case to be dismissed Osborne manages to convince McSwain to stop taking bribes and the two decide to work together to find out who is dealing the drugs and murdering the locals. When they discover that the culprits are closer than they think a showdown ensues and as the smoke clears some new truths are discovered about their future together.