Main Cast: Denzel Washington, Robert Townsend, James Fox, Mimi Rogers, M. Emmet Walsh
Release Year: 1989
Country: US
Run Time: 120 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Xavier Quinn (Denzel Washington) is police chief of a tiny Caribbean island. Quinn's efforts to straddle the fence between the local blacks and the moneyed whites have lost him the respect of both groups. When a murder is committed, Quinn suspects that the killer is Maubee (Robert Townsend), a notoriously elusive criminal who has become a folk hero to the locals. Despite various political pressures -- and the fact that he and Maubee were childhood friends-Quinn vows to solve the murder, and, if necessary, bring Maubee to justice. A mess of merry plot twists distinguish this diverting fox-and-hound caper. Filmed entirely on location, The Mighty Quinn was based on Finding Maubee, a novel by A.H.Z. Carr. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Crime films in exotic locations almost always play well as long as the filmmakers remember to balance local color with an engaging story. The Mighty Quinn finds that balance perfectly. Denzel Washington anchors the film as the chief of police in a Caribbean town that has just had its first murder in quite some time. Quinn is under a great deal of pressure -- his marriage is on the rocks, he is getting political pressure from higher ups to solve the crime, and the prime suspect is his lifelong friend, the charming rogue/local legend Maubee (played by a winning, scene-stealing Robert Townsend). The film offers some very entertaining reggae music (including a great twist on the song that shares the name of the film), gorgeous cinematography that will have anyone reaching for a drink with an umbrella in it, and a solid story full of interesting supporting players. Director Carl Schenkel will never be thought of as an auteur, but with the best script he was ever given, he delivers first-rate entertainment. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
Sheryl Lee Ralph - Lola Quinn; Art Evans - Jump; Esther Rolle - Ubu Pearl; Norman Beaton - Governor Chalk; Alex Colon - Patina; Tyra Ferrell - Isola; Keye Luke - Dr. Raj; Carl Bradshaw - Cocodick; Henry Judd Baker - Nicotine; Bobby Ghisays - Pater; Charles Hyatt - Security Guard; Peter Lloyd - Groom; Cedella Marley - Eliza; Rita Marley - Wedding Singers and Band; Bernie McInerney - Dr. Stuhlberg; Ron Taylor - McKeon; Fitz Weir - Athens; Christopher Meredith - Wedding Singers and Band; Wallis Nicita; Bob Andy - Raisen; Erica Aquart - Bride; Rowan Byfield - Blizzard; Kenneth Casey - Phylo; Ronald Goshop - Fudge; Baldwin Howe - Bim; Cathi Levy - Secretary; Fred Lloyd - Pilot; Michael London - Preacher; Renee Menzies McCallum - Maid; David McFarlane - Henry; Calvin Mitchell - Apollo; Nabbie Natural - Turtle; Sharon Marley Prendergast - Jody; Oliver Samuels - Rupert; Deon Silvera - Beautician; Dennis Titus - Percy; Clive Walker - Bartender; David R. Ellis - Jersey; Michael Rose - Wedding Singers and Band; Dallas Anderson - Francis; Marie McDonald - Jax
Credit
Gregory Keen - Art Director, Jack Cummins - Associate Producer, Vincent Paterson - Choreography, Sandy Lieberson - Co-producer, Lisa Cacavas - Costume Designer, Dana Lyman - Costume Designer, Carl Schenkel - Director, John Jympson - Editor, Anne Dudley - Composer (Music Score), David Anderle - Musical Direction/Supervision, A. Medusah Aulenta - Makeup, Roger Murray-Leach - Production Designer, Matthew Binns - Production Designer, Jacques Steyn - Cinematographer, Ed Elbert - Producer, Gil Friesen - Producer, Marion Hunt - Producer, Dale Pollock - Producer, Brian Read - Set Designer, Giorgio Ferrari - Special Effects, Dan Bradley - Stunts, Dean Raphael Ferrandini - Stunts, Hampton Fancher - Screenwriter, A.H.Z. Carr - Book Author
