77
Metascore
10 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertThe Big Easy is one of the richest American films of the year. It also happens to be a great thriller.
- 88Chicago TribuneGene SiskelChicago TribuneGene SiskelThe film's strength is director Jim McBride's seemingly easy way of presenting us with a New Orleans that is more malevolent and intoxicating than the tourist trap that some think it to be.
- 88Washington PostHal HinsonWashington PostHal HinsonThe Big Easy, starring Ellen Barkin and Dennis Quaid, is the sexiest, most companionable movie of the summer. Set in New Orleans, it's an amiable, loping, goof of a movie, with charm to burn and not a thought in its head.
- 80Los Angeles TimesSheila BensonLos Angeles TimesSheila BensonEventually the film's suspense underpinnings take over its personal story, yet that tension Quaid and Barkin generate still holds.
- 80Orlando SentinelJay BoyarOrlando SentinelJay BoyarThe Big Easy is as atmospheric as they come, but -- surprise! -- it's also sharp and swift. Plus, it has ample amounts of chemistry -- the steamy, sexy kind.
- 75Philadelphia InquirerCarrie RickeyPhiladelphia InquirerCarrie RickeyThe Big Easy is an extremely enjoyable (and well-lubricated) vehicle for two actors who aren't quite yet stars, but should be.
- 75TV Guide MagazineTV Guide MagazineColorful Cajun noir, spicy, romantic, efficient.
- 70TimeRichard SchickelTimeRichard SchickelA movie that manages to be atmospherically rich while also satisfying the slash-crash imperatives of the police-action genre.
- 50The New York TimesVincent CanbyThe New York TimesVincent CanbyThe screenplay, by Daniel Petrie Jr. and Jack Baran, has a number of funny lines and situations, but the end result looks fiddled with by people attempting to ''fix'' things.