The Big Easy

Play trailer

The Big Easy

R,

1987,

1h 41m,

Crime/

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

89%

37 Reviews

Tomatometer

61%

5,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

37 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.

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Jan 27, 2019

The best mystery romance movie ever made!

Hermione S

Jan 20, 2019

A favorite. Still love it.

Harry S

Aug 10, 2018

Good crime story with a sexy, but subtle vibe. Love the New Orleans attitude. I love Nola and this is a fun trip back there.

Mar 3, 2018

Have always loved this movie

Hagrid R

Nov 29, 2017

Quaid has the smile and the charm to each line delivery, but the seriousness that at times comes out is just as compelling if not more so.

See more

Ron R

Jan 15, 2017

Erm... I liked the music? And the colour scheme was very interesting. But, I found Dennis Quaid's character endlessly irritating and the male posturing wearying. The central relationship is unconvincing at best, rapey at worst, and the story just doesn't grip in the way it should. The film garners momentum when John Goodman's character shows up, but it's largely too little too late.

See more

Read all reviews

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

View more videos

True Blood

71%

True Blood

Watchlist

Breathless

56%

48%

Breathless

Watchlist

D.O.A.

64%

29%

D.O.A.

Watchlist

I Love a Man in Uniform

67%

64%

I Love a Man in Uniform

Watchlist

Narrow Margin

67%

51%

Narrow Margin

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

John Goodman’s 10 Best Movies

View more photos

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

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings