The Big Easy

Tags

1980's, Crime, Dennis Quaid, Drama, Ellen Barkin, Grace Zabriskie, Jim McBride, John Goodman, Ned Beatty, The Big Easy

Film Title

The Big Easy

Director

Jim McBride

Starring

• Dennis Quaid as Remy McSwain
• Ellen Barkin as Anne Osborne
• Ned Beatty as Captain Jack Kellom
• John Goodman as Detective Andre
• Grace Zabriskie as Mama

A hot and spicy crime drama that gains a lot from the New Orleans setting, The Big Easy scores big points thanks to its host of idiosyncratic characters and sexy romance at play in a tasty slice of gumbo.

Remy McSwain is a laid-back police lieutenant in New Orleans who along with Captain and good family friend Jack Kellom, discover the body of a local mobster while on the job. It is thought that the slaying is part of a gang war brewing between two rival parties. Arriving later is assistant District Attorney Anne Osborne, who is there to take a look at the killing and also prominently investigate police corruption. This poses a problem for Remy, as while he’s a good enough guy he has been known to look the other way and take bribes. He attempts to charm the law-abiding Anne, which appears to work as she tangles with her feelings about the case and Remy. As more murders from both gang factions take place and the drug operations and police corruption angle hots up, it is up to the to discover something. This isn’t going to be easy as they are frequently at odds over moral conduct. Though antagonistic over each other’s methods and fighting undeniable attraction, Remy and Anne dig into the murders and corruption, uncovering a big can of worms in the process that goes a lot higher than imagined.

Jim McBride’s full-blooded and breezy direction is the ideal thing that is needed in a film like this one. He makes it a dynamic and alternately playful movie that knows how to steam things up and use the surroundings of New Orleans to their full potential. New Orleans itself becomes a character in the story; a hotbed of colourful people and seamy passions, dashed with dark intrigue and a compelling glamour. There’s something special about New Orleans that adds immeasurably to the essence and ambience of this drama and can’t be faulted in the slightest. The Big Easy would never have had the same effectiveness if the setting was different, because the whole thing feels pretty authentic and full of vigor. The aura of the place hangs over The Big Easy like a glistening canopy. It does become a little broad at various intervals in the story that can induce a few instances of irritation, but The Big Easy keeps hold of you with the quickness of it all and the feisty romance. The film is at its most persuasive and enjoyable when it focuses on the clash between Remy and Anne, which in turn leads to sexual fireworks that are complicated by their differing attitudes and the possibility of danger with every step they take. The sassy script ensures a quality rapport and an amusing back and forth is created, bringing humour into the drama that actually benefits rather than distracts from the overall crime narrative. Sometimes crime dramas can be overly solemn, but The Big Easy takes another route and works out splendidly. It also fleshes out characters that are kooky and full of quirkiness, particularly Remy whose extrovert charms and mile wide grin are never far from view when being his ever so corrupt but devilishly likable self. The Big Easy often gets mentioned as a thriller and while I can see that in stretches of the film( such as a tense car chase and explosive last act), crime drama with healthy overtones of romance is probably how I’d describe it and I love that it’s that very thing. It flips between darkness in the crime and corruption to red-hot potential romance between without really missing a beat as it goes on its exciting way. A Cajun soundtrack and subsequent score provide the fire for which this cauldron of mixtures is rested on, providing some outstanding moments of music to echo the lively happenings.

Dennis Quaid is superb as the ever so corrupt but wholly enjoyable Remy, whose alligator smile and wild ways are more than a little endearing in an amusing fashion. Remy may be a very crooked guy who eventually begins to view how deep he’s in, but Quaid morphs him into an ingratiating charmer, who it is impossible to not to be taken in by, despite his foibles and many faults. Ellen Barkin matches Quaid with an equally excellent performance of the uptight Anne, whose usual adherence to rules is tested by a burgeoning attraction to Remy. The undecided and smouldering face of Barkin is employed exquisitely to showcase the moral dilemma she endures, tempered with a curious sense of carnality beneath the surface which the actress exudes gorgeously. Quaid and Barkin share a scintillating chemistry that is hot stuff from the moment they meet. I’m not kidding when I say their passion burns like fire in an extended form of foreplay, which is interrupted and comes up against barriers in a way that resembles a dance of emerging desire gaining power. You simply couldn’t have asked for anything better from the two stars, who ignite the screen as the total opposites in almost every way lock horns masterfully. Ned Beatty provides memorable support as the seemingly amiable Captain who Remy sees as something of a father figure, while John Goodman is fun as a lazy yet joking detective. One should also look out for Grace Zabriskie as Remy’s withering and quick-witted mother.

With lashings of local flavour and unique atmosphere that it seems only New Orleans can offer, The Big Easy is a fun, sexy and thoroughly entertaining crime drama, that soars essentially from the sultry chemistry of the leads and the eventful, lively direction.

Playing by Heart

Tags

1990's, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Edwards, Comedy, Dennis Quaid, Drama, Ellen Burstyn, Gena Rowlands, Gillian Anderson, Jay Mohr, Jon Stewart, Madeleine Stowe, Playing by Heart, Ryan Phillippe, Sean Connery, Willard Carroll

Film Title

Playing by Heart

Director

Willard Carroll

Starring

• Sean Connery as Paul
• Gena Rowlands as Hannah
• Angelina Jolie as Joan
• Ryan Phillippe as Keenan
• Gillian Anderson as Meredith
• Jon Stewart as Trent
• Ellen Burstyn as Mildred
• Jay Mohr as Mark
• Madeleine Stowe as Gracie
• Anthony Edwards as Roger
• Dennis Quaid as Hugh

A drama of relationships peppered with comedy, excellent writing and an all-star cast, Playing by Heart brims with emotional clarity, great dialogue and touching but witty insights into the various facets of love.

Playing by Heart focuses on the various kinds of loves, heart breaks and relationships of a seemingly disparate group of people living in Los Angeles. There is older married couple Paul and Hannah, who are approaching forty years of marriage and renewing their vows. There is the matter of Paul being diagnosed with a brain tumor, but this doesn’t dampen his spirit though it worries his wife. They must also deal with a present from the past as Hannah finds evidence that suggests that Paul may have been unfaithful during their marriage. Wildly dressed extrovert and wannabe actress Joan is found in the land of night clubs, living life to the absolute maximum. One night after dumping her boyfriend, she meets handsome but standoffish loner Keenan. Joan likes the guy, but he is cold and distant from her, which puzzles her. Sure enough, she begins to break through the barriers he has put up with her charisma and exuberance. Theatre director Meredith has all but given up on love after being hurt do many times and chooses to remain single. Yet this doesn’t stop affable architect Trent from pursuing her in a genuinely romantic way. Organised Mildred is forced to come to terms with the fact that her gay son Mark is dying of AIDS and attempts to mend their fractured relationship before it is too late by being honest with him for once in her life. Gracie, a married woman who is bored, is having an affair with Roger, who wants more out of the relationship than just sex. And finally there is the mournful Hugh, who travels from bar to bar, reeling off his tragic stories to women that will listen. Yet, his tales seem to change rapidly from night to night. Little by little, we begin to see the way that each seemingly separate story is connected in some way or another.

Writer/director Willard Carroll fashions a multi-stranded mosaic on the topic of love and the different ways it is expressed between people. Love is a subject that is more than well covered on films, but Carroll manages to give something to it with the multiple stories and characters. His script mixes tragedy, comic moments and blossoming romance with excellent results. It’s great to listen to his witty dialogue that captures the changing fortunes of the very different characters going through various kinds of love. Playing by Heart may not offer much in the way of being the most original movie, but that doesn’t make it any less good or accomplished. With a nice visual style of night-time Los Angeles, we feel the longings, passions and losses of these people. This is further given strength by a minimal but impactful score of trickling piano, tinged with jazz from the legendary John Barry. Playing by Heart is a well paced movie where something is always happening. Some of the middle half drags due to one uninvolving story thread, but the breadth of the other tales brings it back to greatness. There is something so natural about the way this movie explores relationships, I can’t explain it but it just feels so well done. I really liked watching how all the stories eventually connected, it was really orchestrated well through little things.

The marvellous ensemble cast is a real treat and adds significant amounts of talent to their respective parts. Sean Connery and Gena Rowlands have a winning chemistry as an older couple overcoming the hurdles that present themselves. These two actors are such pros and you see the twinkling in the eye of Connery and the warmth of Rowlands in every scene. Stealing the show throughout the movie is Angelina Jolie as the energetic and wild Joan. Imbuing the character with chatty verve, unusual dress sense and a quick, over the top humour, she is utterly delightful in the part that could have become annoying, but becomes instead lovable due to the presence of Jolie. Ryan Phillippe contributes some of his best work as the emotionally shut off Keenan, who gradually comes out of his shell because his attracted to Joan. There is Gillian Anderson who marvellously conveys the feelings of distrust in relationship that begin to wither when someone genuine takes an interest. Jon Stewart is that someone and he has a real madcap sense of humour to add to the mix. The always talented Ellen Burstyn is an emotional marvel as the mother trying to reconnect with her son and her scenes with Jay Mohr are really emotional highlights of the film as they are both able to be frank with one another. The one story that I didn’t find that involving was the one featuring Madeleine Stowe and Anthony Edwards having an affair. This isn’t the fault of the actors who are both well cast, it’s just that their story is a bit stale. Thankfully, Dennis Quaid makes up for that with his strange turn as the drunken Hugh, who switches his stories every night. It is a great showcase for Dennis Quaid as an actor.

Warm-hearted, funny and moving at many times, Playing by Heart brings a talented cast, colorfully drawn characters and exceptional dialogue together with care and sense of depth.