The big easy (1986)

Dennis Quaid (D.O.A., Far From Heaven) and Ellen Barkin (Sea of Love, Bad Company) star in The Big Easy, a box-office hit that captivated audiences with its saucy blend of New Orleans nightlife, steamy romance and sultry suspense. When a hood’s murder triggers a bloody gangland drug war, detective Remy McSwain (Quaid) is on the scene. He’s a smooth-talkin’ cop who fits right in with the easy style of Cajun country. Remy meets his match in Anne Osborne (Barkin), a no-nonsense Assistant District Attorney in town to investigate police corruption. At odds from the moment they meet, their electrically charged attraction keeps the sparks flying. Directed by Jim McBride (David Holzman’s Diary, Breathless, Great Balls of Fire!), scripted by Daniel Petrie Jr. (Beverly Hills Cop) and co-starring Ned Beatty (White Lightning) and John Goodman (Barton Fink), The Big Easy is one of the strongest—and sexiest—neo-noir thrillers of the ’80s.