The Mighty Quinn

Do you want to be magically transported to the islands? Do you want to hear raggae music that's out of this world? Do you want to see Denzel's beautiful brown skin against an all white uniform? The Mighty Quinn's got all three plus a pretty decent plot and some pretty well known actors. Robert Townsend is great as the wily Maubee, Mimi Rogers is convincing as a damsel in distress and Sheryl Lee Ralph showcases her talents as both an actress and a singer. But perhaps the best part of this movie, in my opinion, is Denzel's character Xavier. Oh yes he looks sexy, as he always does. But more that that it's the way he embodies a role so much so that by the end of the movie you can't tell him from smooth tongued Jamaican police officer that he's playing. Catch it one late night on television reruns and I bet you'll get caught up. You'll never feel the same way about a Jamaican accent again.

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.

This is one of the most entertaining movies I've seen all year. It takes place in a town on a carribean island not unlike Jamaica, and tells the story of a drifter named Maubee accussed of murder, and his best friend who happens to be the town sherrif. I loved this movie, because of it's wonderful characters, and the things they deal with over the course of this movie. The film may not be action-packed, or even contain a gripping plot, but I assure any readers this movie will not dissapoint you. Denzel Washington is delightful as the sherrif trying to prove his friends innosennce, and Robert Townsend plays the down-and-out drifter Maubee, in an equaly pleasing role. While the films premise may not initialy draw you in, its wonderful characters and colorful island setting will. And everytime things start to slow down, the movie drops another dead body in. See this movie.

On an unnamed US Caribbean island, police chief Quinn - Denzel Washington - has to deal with a gruesome murder. A wealthy American hotel owner has been killed in his hot tub, his head decapitated. Also, a bag with a large sum of money is missing. Everyone wants to point the finger at Quinns childhood friend, Mauphee. He's an odd jobs man with a record. Nevertheless, Quinn sends the body for an autopsy. Unbelievably, the cause of death is a venomous snake bite, the man's head was cutoff post-mortem. As Quinn searches for Mauphee, he tangles with the local witch - Esther Rolle - and others, including his estranged wife and a CIA agent. Will he be able to clear his friend? This is a decent thriller in a beautiful setting. Washington is a great leading man with fine support. Naturally, most of the Americans are shady tricksters. Fans of mysteries will enjoy 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.