The Mighty Quinn

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The Mighty Quinn

R,

1989,

1h 38m,

Mystery & Thriller

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Watchlist

94%

17 Reviews

Tomatometer

48%

5,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

17 Reviews

48%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Police chief Xavier Quinn (Denzel Washington) investigates the gruesome murder of Donald Pater, one of the wealthiest residents on a Caribbean island. He was found decapitated in his Jacuzzi. Although the local political establishment, especially crooked Governor Chalk (Norman Beaton), insists that small-time thief Maubee (Robert Townsend) is responsible, Xavier has his doubts. This view is complicated by the police chief's personal history with Maubee: The men have been friends since childhood.

Critics Consensus

A deft hybrid of laughs, espionage, and music, The Mighty Quinn is a smart, pleasant entertainment that offers an early example of Denzel Washington's onscreen magnetism.

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

May 20, 2003

3/4

[Washington] gives the kind of smooth, funny, laid-back performance that could help make him the first black matinee idol since Sidney Poitier.

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Rita Kempley

Washington Post

Jan 1, 2000

With Fancher's dialogue and Washington's comedic timing, The Mighty Quinn is more fun than a cabana full of bananas.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jan 1, 2000

4/4

The Mighty Quinn is a spy thriller, a buddy movie, a musical, a comedy and a picture that is wise about human nature. And yet with all of those qualities, it never seems to strain.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Mar 23, 2024

2.5/4

The Mighty Quinn manages to just squeak by based on its stylish visuals, appealing island atmosphere, and proliferation of engaging performances...

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 24, 2022

3.5/5

The film has much of what you want out of a crime thriller but there is also a subtle playfulness to it.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

May 9, 2009

B+

Pleasing comical murder mystery that takes place on a small Caribbean island.

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Leia M

Feb 17, 2019

Denzel Washington in a fast-paced, exotic-looking, and fun cop flick from the 1980's the setting is in the Caribbean and a murder has taken place, several suspects are in question including local Maubee some powerful rich figures want him to be the scapegoat because they may be hiding something connected to the deceased Quinn is a police officer on the island under-appreciated and letting the politicians party hard and having fun getting more of the credit even his chief doesnt want him to break protocol but Quinn is determined to solve the case any way possible it could be dangerous though as he gets closer and closer provoking the wrong people Quinn also has a son he tries to keep in contact with plus his on-and-off again girlfriend is a performer that's trying to showcase her talents this is one of Denzel Washington's earlier works and also one of his more enjoyable ones combining comedy, drama, thrills, and looking at the wiser side of human nature

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Carl Schenkel

Director

Denzel Washington

Xavier Quinn

Robert Townsend

Maubee

James Fox

Thomas Elgin

Mimi Rogers

Hadley Elgin

M. Emmet Walsh

Fred Miller

The Big Easy

89%

61%

The Big Easy

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Eyewitness

63%

39%

Eyewitness

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Tai-Pan

14%

39%

Tai-Pan

Watchlist

D.O.A.

64%

29%

D.O.A.

Watchlist

Suspect

68%

58%

Suspect

Watchlist

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Synopsis

Police chief Xavier Quinn (Denzel Washington) investigates the gruesome murder of Donald Pater, one of the wealthiest residents on a Caribbean island. He was found decapitated in his Jacuzzi. Although the local political establishment, especially crooked Governor Chalk (Norman Beaton), insists that small-time thief Maubee (Robert Townsend) is responsible, Xavier has his doubts. This view is complicated by the police chief's personal history with Maubee: The men have been friends since childhood.

Director: Carl Schenkel
Producer: Sanford Lieberson, Marion Hunt, Ed Elbert
Screenwriter: Hampton Fancher
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 17, 1989, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.0M
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Surround

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