Big Bad Man

While I don't consider this a "great" movie, I must say that it is one of those movies like a favorite pair of slippers: always so comfortable to put on. I can't stop watching this old movie because it's so much fun, the characters are so comfortable to be with, the locations are so relaxing, and Washington is, as always, a wonderful actor.

Though it is not the high point of the movie, my favorite moment occurs when Quinn (Washington) loosens up, sits down at the piano, and begins an amusing rendition of "Cakewalk into Town." Unfortunately, others subvert his song into "The Mighty Quinn," disturbing the atmosphere somewhat, but that's all part of the plot.

Quinn's "serious cop" is the straight man to another worthy character, Maubee (Robert Townsend), an impish rascal loved by everyone on the island.

"The Mighty Quinn" makes me want to go to the island and party with everyone there, but, alas, it's only a movie.

I just discovered this movie a week or two ago. It is really fun! That's more than can be said for lots of movies these days. I am surprised that people have not commented on the three blind men following one another as they tap their way through one of the scenes. A real "nod" to James Bond's Dr. No. This is just one of the surprises in this very entertaining movie. Denzel Washington was excellent. The film is full of interesting, quirky characters and some great dialogue as well. It is also good to see location filming in a place that is not often seen in films any more. This is really an old fashioned type of film with a sense of life and warmth in it.

This is an easy movie to like.

I love Maubee's mystery and his history with Xavier. I love Xavier's uniform and his relationship with all islanders.

Even when Maubee is tearing down the house, he has a smile on his face. Even when Xavier forgets to pick up his son and finds him hours later, alone and in the dark, it's not the end of the world, the child is entertaining himself and he forgives his father - easily.

These island inhabitants are comfortable to watch. What my grandmother would have called "easy in their skin."

"Don't you know this is a goin' down road?"

I love that line.

And I love a place that would designate a mountain road "a goin' down" road during certain parts of the day.

Also, this rendition of Bob Dylan "Mighty Quinn" is the easiest version to my ears.

A wealthy white resort owner is found dead in his hotel on the island of Jamaica. When Chief Xavier Quinn (Denzel Washington) investigates he's met with resistance and simply told to find Maubee (Robert Townsend). Quinn, not willing to simply turn away, pursues the investigation further much to the disapproval of the governor as well as Elgin (James Fox), another white bigwig.

Based upon the book "Finding Maubee", it's an intriguing murder mystery with a Jamaican flare. There aren't many twists and turns but neither is the crime clear cut. The movie primarily follows Quinn through his surreptitious investigation as well as his family and woman troubles. The movie is easy to watch, easy to follow, plus you get to hear Denzel do his best Jamaican impression.

Released in 1989, The Mighty Quinn is currently rated as Denzel Washington's 46th best movie (on IMDB). I'm not saying it's bad but it's never going to become a classic and it is starting to show its age a little.

Denzel plays Xavier Quinn, the police chief on a Caribbean island where some stereotypical eccentricities are maybe rather over-emphasised. He's very dashing in his formal uniform and while out of favour with his wife, he's still not short of admirers. His not-so-smooth life is then even more disturbed by a murder at a smart local hotel. The powers that be seem rather too keen to close down the investigation fast and pin the blame on Maubee - a colourful ne'er-do-well who was also Quinn's childhood friend. A role that gives Robert Townsend plenty of scope to enjoy himself.

Denzel himself, though, is perhaps at his 46th best. What in his later roles becomes a cool stillness, here sometimes just looks a little stiff. His Jamaican accent also occasionally wanders and his singing is a departure.

Don't be totally put off though. Denzel is still easy to watch and it's a gently diverting classic murder mystery set in a colourful community and beautiful scenery. 6/10.