Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Drama thriller

The Big Easy (1987): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Big Easy (1987) movie poster

The Big Easy is a 1987 drama thriller directed by Jim McBride, starring Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $17.7 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best Male Lead at the Spirit Awards 1988. Critics gave it 77 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$17.7M
award won
1
Metascore
77
Loading streaming availability…
The Big Easy (1987) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 42m (102 min)
Director
Jim McBride
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Romance , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Big Easy About?

The premise of The Big Easy without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In the vibrant and humid city of New Orleans, Lieutenant Remy McSwain faces a series of gang-related murders that disrupt his routine. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Ann Osborne, a lawyer investigating corruption within the police force. As Remy investigates, he becomes embroiled in a complex web of deceit and finds himself accused of bribery, forcing him to confront a dangerous conspiracy that jeopardizes his career and personal life.

The Big Easy Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • new orleans louisiana
  • seduction
  • disturbed during sex
  • white panties
  • american criminal
  • police corruption
  • cleavage
  • opposites attract
  • organized crime
  • neo noir
  • lust
  • rough sex
+38 more
  • telephone call
  • investigation
  • american south
  • crying man
  • woman wears only a man's shirt
  • convertible
  • cadillac motor vehicle
  • female rear nudity
  • sleeping nude
  • woman wears a tie
  • man on top sex
  • whodunit
  • police
  • corruption
  • murder
  • death
  • marching band
  • harbor
  • explosion
  • dancing
  • cynicism
  • police officer
  • murder investigation
  • hitman
  • drug ring
  • switchblade
  • brass knuckles
  • videotape
  • magnet
  • internal affairs
  • district attorney
  • detective
  • boat
  • betrayal
  • bar
  • cajun
  • male nudity
  • bare chested male
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

The Big Easy Cast

Dennis Quaid leads the cast, with Ellen Barkin. Directed by Jim McBride.

From the director

More from Jim McBride

More films directed by Jim McBride, best-rated first: Breathless, Great Balls of Fire!, Meat Loaf: To Hell and Back and Pronto.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Big Easy Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Big Easy 77 on Metacritic.

Plot

The Big Easy Plot Summary

What happens in The Big Easy from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In New Orleans, Lt. Remy McSwain [Dennis Quaid] investigates the murder of a local mobster, a case that quickly points to a widening war between two crime families. The arrival of state district attorney Anne Osborne [Ellen Barkin] brings a new dimension: she is there to probe alleged police corruption. Remy’s unorthodox tactics are on display as he handles the case, and Anne challenges him, accusing him of taking payoffs. He defends himself, arguing that the realities of law enforcement in New Orleans demand a hard-nosed approach.

They form a romance despite mounting professional tensions. But that bond is tested when an Internal Affairs sting appears to catch Remy accepting a payoff. Anne, torn between love and duty, must decide whether to prosecute the man she’s come to care for.

Full summary

The whole story of The Big Easy, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Big Easy Box Office

The Big Easy grossed $17.7 million worldwide.

1987 box office

Worldwide gross

$17.7M

US & Canada
$17.7M
Awards

The Big Easy Awards & Nominations

The Big Easy won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best Male Lead at the Spirit Awards 1988.

1 win3 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

The Big Easy Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Big Easy.

The Big Easy - Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Big Easy?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In which city does 'The Big Easy' take place?

Cars

Cars in The Big Easy

16 cars on screen, including the 1972 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado and the 1983 Ford LTD Crown Victoria.

All 16 cars
  • 1972 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado in The Big Easy 1972 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Important role
  • 1983 Ford LTD Crown Victoria in The Big Easy 1983 Ford LTD Crown Victoria Important role
  • 1983 Ford LTD Crown Victoria in The Big Easy 1983 Ford LTD Crown Victoria Important role
  • 1980 Chevrolet Caprice Classic in The Big Easy 1980 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Minor role
Details

The Big Easy Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “Könnyed élet” and “Big Easy : Le Flic de mon cœur”.

Also known as
  • Könnyed élet
  • Big Easy : Le Flic de mon cœur
  • Der große Leichtsinn - The Big Easy
  • The (1986)
  • ビッグ・イージー
  • The Big Easy - Der große Leichtsinn
  • The Big Easy - Brivido seducente
  • Le Flic de mon cœur
  • Wielki luz
  • Большой кайф
  • Querido detective
  • 大出意外
+10 more
  • Επικίνδυνη Ηρεμία στη Νέα Ορλεάνη
  • Nas Teias da Mafia
  • Acerto de Contas
  • A könnyed élet (A nagy móka)
  • Kærlighed i kugleregn
  • Policie z New Orleans
  • Big Easy, le flic de mon coeur
  • 뉴올리언즈의 밤
  • Suçlular Limanı
  • Великий кайф

Seen The Big Easy?

FAQ

The Big Easy FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Big Easy, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Big Easy?

The Big Easy runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).

When was The Big Easy released?

The Big Easy was released on August 21, 1987.

Who directed The Big Easy?

The Big Easy was directed by Jim McBride.

More films by Jim McBride

Who is in the cast of The Big Easy?

The Big Easy stars Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin.

How much did The Big Easy make at the box office?

The Big Easy grossed $17.7 million worldwide.

How is The Big Easy rated?

The Big Easy has 77 on Metacritic.

What awards did The Big Easy win?

The Big Easy won 1 award from 3 nominations, including Best Male Lead at the Spirit Awards 1988.

Does The Big Easy have a post-credit scene?

No. The Big Easy has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app