Memorable, crazy movie

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Great Film overall

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

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 later his 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

Police chief Xavier Quinn (Denzel Washington) on a Caribbean island investigates the murder of wealthy Donald Pater. His childhood friend petty criminal Maubee (Robert Townsend) is the main suspect with a briefcase full of money. Quinn doesn't buy Maubee's guilt and has a tougher time catching him.There is one memorable thing about this movie. Denzel Washington doing a Jamaican accent. It's fascinating for quite awhile. The locations look good. The sun is shining. I kind of like it all.As for the murder mystery, it doesn't really work that well. It's hard to keep track of all the players. The mystery is too dense with too many suspicious characters. The movie is filled with hard-boiled stereotype characters. It is so over the top that it does get tiring. M. Emmet Walsh is playing a stereotype grizzled white guy living on the island. I rather have Townsend as Washington's sidekick. They seem to have a fun chemistry. The best scene is when Townsend almost gets hit by Washington. Washington is in desperate need of a sidekick to make this fun. It's not a bad movie, but the island feel can only go so far.

Smooth and charming Police Chief Xavier Quinn (a fine and likable performance by Denzel Washington) has to search his Jamaican island beat for lovable local rascal and old childhood pal Maubee (a wonderfully engaging portrayal by Robert Townsend) in order to clear Maubee's name after he's accused of murder. Capably directed with considerable flashy panache by Carl Schenkel, with a pleasantly casual pace, and a colorful and absorbing script by Hampton Fancher, further buoyed by an extremely catchy'n'bouncy reggae soundtrack, nice touches of wry humor, and a flavorsome Caribbean tropical setting, this film possesses a certain affable laid-back appeal that's impossible to either dislike or resist. The strong cast helps a lot: Washington and especially Townsend excel in the lead roles, with fine support from James Fox as jerky rich resort owner Thomas Elgin, the lovely Mimi Rogers as Thomas' neglected and enticing wife Hadley, the always great M. Emmet Walsh as hearty, yet vicious hired killer Fred Miller, Esther Rolle as fearsome witch Ubu Pearl, Art Evans as irritable Sergeant Jump Jones, Sheryl Lee Ralph as Xavier's fiery and sultry wife Lola, Norman Beaton as the meddlesome Governor Chalk, and Key Luke as the helpful Dr. Raj. Washington easily carries this picture with his supremely amiable and charismatic presence. Jacques Steyn's bright cinematography gives this movie an attractive sunny look while Anne Dudley's frothy score keeps things bubbling along. A winningly breezy and carefree romp.

Truly love this movie - it has a great location, wonderful music, and an all-star cast. The Mighty Quinn brings me to "the islands". Who wouldn't want to be Maubee? Everyone can relate to someone in this film. I don't approve, but I couldn't believe there were two scenes where women were slapped (not seen too much on any media). This is a great movie to rent on a rainy day, and after you return head to the music store and get the soundtrack.