The Mighty Quinn (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'The Mighty Quinn' (directed by Carl Schenkel, & based on a novel, Finding Maubee) is simply a joyous film to experience; deftly juggling genres of a spy thriller, a comedy & a buddy flick. Throw in winning performances & a thumping reggae beat, & you've got quite the little nifty movie. 'MQ' tells the story of a police chief on a small Caribbean isle who gets caught btwn. local blacks & moneyed whites when a wealthy developer is found murdered (we see this in an opening scene - a hand rising from a bubbling red-soaked hot tub ... FANTASTIC). Officials believe that the chief's best friend, a local folk hero named Maubee (Robert Townsend), is guilty of the crime. But even the police chief's wife observes, "Maubee is a lovah, not a killah".
Denzel Washington plays Xavier Quinn, said police chief - a local boy who once 'played barefoot with Maubee' & got in the same type of playful mischief as his pal. But Xavier grew up, gained responsibility, went to America to be trained by the FBI, & has now returned as Chief Quinn. The townsfolk call him the Mighty Quinn (after the Bob Dylan song), not only because he IS (proving to be by the end of the film), but because they miss his light-hearted persona of yesteryear ... before he went to America & got all serious. Xavier knows everyone in town, knows their actions, & is on decent terms with the island governor, a corrupt man who only wants to keep a lid on things; so as to impress the Caucasian residents/businessmen/tourists.
Anyway, back to the murder. Said death is a big embarrassment for the governor. It will undoubtedly discourage tourism. But Xavier is the only one who wants an investigation, & it takes him into the decadent lives of the local establishment. He butts heads with Mr. Elgin, a suave, yet snobbish British fixer (the always elegant James Fox). Xavier is attracted to Elgin's restless wife (Mimi Rogers, in a nice turn), & has a private encounter with her that challenges his restraint ... big time. She's as erotic & seductive as they come. But he does love his wife, Lola (a wonderful Sharyl Lee Ralph), & is trying to win her back after recent hard times.
But Xavier's biggest headache comes from a man named Miller (M. Emmett Walsh) who's arrived on the island to poke his nose where he shouldn't. And though he initially appears harmless, it doesn't take long to figure out that he's up to no good. Xavier's investigation is losing traction, & he has troubles to weather elsewhere, as well. At home, his wife, Lola, rehearses with her reggae trio & isn't happy with her husband's latest doings. Another hindrance: local beauty (Tyra Ferrell) wants Xavier all for herself; making her presence known to him, always. The elderly, wheelchair-bound Ubu Pearl (Esther Rolle) - the island's resident witch woman - makes confounding prophecies of dire outcomes. And all the while, the carefree Maubee keeps telling Xavier that he is innocent. Who is the killer? Can Xavier prove Maubee's "innocence", save his marriage, & stay alive amid a host of enemies?
'The Mighty Quinn', as mentioned above, is just a good 'ole time at the movies; with pleasures to be found everywhere. The island locales are incredible. The comedy components will make you smile, chuckle and/or laugh. The espionage aspect of the film is genuinely intriguing. The characters are well-written. And because we know so much about them & care for them, as well ... it's easier to get invested in what ultimately happens by the end. As for the writing, here's a film where everything that happens actually makes sense! Could you imagine {haha}?
Denzel Washington is magnetic to begin with, but he truly is fantastic as Xavier. You believe him when he's intensely observant; hiding behind his slick sunglasses. You believe him when he has-it-out with his wife behind closed doors. You appreciate his easy sense of humor. You believe him when he drunkenly sings at a bar (to win-back the locals who gave up on him). You feel the erotic chemistry he has with all the women in this story. You feel his frustration when trying to catch Maubee. You believe his quiet dignity when trying to help him. And you believe him in action mode. Huge thumbs up for this rich, detailed 98 min. flick which contains a great lead performance, fun portrayals & an engrossing little murder mystery in the tropics.
Denzel Washington plays Xavier Quinn, said police chief - a local boy who once 'played barefoot with Maubee' & got in the same type of playful mischief as his pal. But Xavier grew up, gained responsibility, went to America to be trained by the FBI, & has now returned as Chief Quinn. The townsfolk call him the Mighty Quinn (after the Bob Dylan song), not only because he IS (proving to be by the end of the film), but because they miss his light-hearted persona of yesteryear ... before he went to America & got all serious. Xavier knows everyone in town, knows their actions, & is on decent terms with the island governor, a corrupt man who only wants to keep a lid on things; so as to impress the Caucasian residents/businessmen/tourists.
Anyway, back to the murder. Said death is a big embarrassment for the governor. It will undoubtedly discourage tourism. But Xavier is the only one who wants an investigation, & it takes him into the decadent lives of the local establishment. He butts heads with Mr. Elgin, a suave, yet snobbish British fixer (the always elegant James Fox). Xavier is attracted to Elgin's restless wife (Mimi Rogers, in a nice turn), & has a private encounter with her that challenges his restraint ... big time. She's as erotic & seductive as they come. But he does love his wife, Lola (a wonderful Sharyl Lee Ralph), & is trying to win her back after recent hard times.
But Xavier's biggest headache comes from a man named Miller (M. Emmett Walsh) who's arrived on the island to poke his nose where he shouldn't. And though he initially appears harmless, it doesn't take long to figure out that he's up to no good. Xavier's investigation is losing traction, & he has troubles to weather elsewhere, as well. At home, his wife, Lola, rehearses with her reggae trio & isn't happy with her husband's latest doings. Another hindrance: local beauty (Tyra Ferrell) wants Xavier all for herself; making her presence known to him, always. The elderly, wheelchair-bound Ubu Pearl (Esther Rolle) - the island's resident witch woman - makes confounding prophecies of dire outcomes. And all the while, the carefree Maubee keeps telling Xavier that he is innocent. Who is the killer? Can Xavier prove Maubee's "innocence", save his marriage, & stay alive amid a host of enemies?
'The Mighty Quinn', as mentioned above, is just a good 'ole time at the movies; with pleasures to be found everywhere. The island locales are incredible. The comedy components will make you smile, chuckle and/or laugh. The espionage aspect of the film is genuinely intriguing. The characters are well-written. And because we know so much about them & care for them, as well ... it's easier to get invested in what ultimately happens by the end. As for the writing, here's a film where everything that happens actually makes sense! Could you imagine {haha}?
Denzel Washington is magnetic to begin with, but he truly is fantastic as Xavier. You believe him when he's intensely observant; hiding behind his slick sunglasses. You believe him when he has-it-out with his wife behind closed doors. You appreciate his easy sense of humor. You believe him when he drunkenly sings at a bar (to win-back the locals who gave up on him). You feel the erotic chemistry he has with all the women in this story. You feel his frustration when trying to catch Maubee. You believe his quiet dignity when trying to help him. And you believe him in action mode. Huge thumbs up for this rich, detailed 98 min. flick which contains a great lead performance, fun portrayals & an engrossing little murder mystery in the tropics.