OK, I know the accents drive Rob crazy, but being that it’s Fat Tuesday (or Shrove Tuesday for all you Anglicans – present and former – out there) it seems only fitting that I close my “Movie Madness Marathon” with one of my true all-time faves, “The Big Easy”. There’s really nothing I don’t like about the movie. I love it centers around the River, Ellen Barkin is adorable, and the movie soundtrack is awesome too – that’s how I came to love Zydeco and have a nice little collection that includes the music of Beausoleil and some some great local bands. Being a huge fan of New Orleans and being around it enough, I know the movie is a caricature, but that’s OK – that’s what makes it great; it’s still wonderfully entertaining, with a fine ensemble cast.
First clip: Dennis Quaid (Lt. Remy McSwain) and Barkin (district attorney Ann Osborne) on a date at “Tipitina’s”. It’s a great scene and the two (who reportedly fought like cats and dogs throughout the production) exhibit a great chemistry together.
What’s really interesting, however, is this missing scene from the final product, which I wish hadn’t ended up on the cutting room floor. I always though the cut between the explosion on the dock and then the scene of Quaid and Barkin getting married was a bit too quick and awkward, now I know why. Here you get all the loose ends tied back together, Barkin turning Quaid’s earlier words back on him, leading to a marriage proposal and that cute ending. sure wish it was part of the finished product.
“The Big Easy”, even with its accents, always makes me smile and takes me away to a mythical place far, far away in my imagination. And isn’t that what movies are all about to begin with?
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Hope y’all enjoyed my clips over the past week. I was going to put some in for “Master And Commander”, but you try to find some decent clips on YouTube without wacko Patrick O’Brian fans putting their own music to a film whose clips ought to be able to stand on their own – the acting is that good. Oh well, such is life.
Tonight Tracey and I are planning a traditional Shrove Tuesday pancake supper (you can make the Anglican a Roman Catholic, but you can’t wipe the slate clean completely!). Lent begins tomorrow.
And now I have to actually do some actual writing for this blog. 🙂
Oh Cheri’…another wundafull Nawlin’s movie is Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil. I love anything Kevin Spacey is in….what an amazing character actor (how about All The Usual Suspects or American Beauty?). I have enjoyed your movie reviews and again, you exhibit another avocation…first musicologist and now movie reviewer. Good job.
Comment by Jana — March 8, 2011 @ 5:31 am
Thanks, Jana . But I think “Midnight…” took place in Savannah. I like both places, wouldn’t mind living somewhere between Savannah and Jacksonville one of these days. Living in the low country while shooting high golf scores doesn’t sound like a bad living to me. And there’d be a reason to pay attention to hurricane season.
Comment by The Great White Shank — March 8, 2011 @ 8:57 am
You’re right, GWS. I have trouble getting past New Orleans accents that the movies never get right. There are only a few places in the Greater New Orleans area that have any kind of accent. When I was growing up and we’d visit Minneapolis every summer, the people we’d meet there always thought we were from New York … not that I get that, either.
And, Jana, if you’ve ever heard a true Cajun accent from south Louisiana, I’d like to know if you’ve seen anyone on TV or in film that got that one right. Justin Wilson’s version is a little too exaggerated.
I used to deal with people every day in Donaldsonville, Thibodaux, Labadieville, Raceland, and Ville Platte. The Cajun accent, particularly the female version, is simply the most gorgeous accent there is. I didn’t even mind being chewed out. 🙂
Comment by Rob — March 8, 2011 @ 11:11 am
Gotta agree with your last comment there, Rob. That’s how I feel about women with either British or Russian accents – they can call me anything they want and it’s OK. (Of course, it always helps if they’re young and pretty.) 🙂
My late friend Rock from N.O. had a great accent and was incredibly polite and generous. I still remember (and I’m sure my Mom does too) the day he wished her happy birthday over the phone, calling her “Miss Dot” (her name is Dorothy). Very unique accent, not at all southern like you’d hear elsewhere in the Deep South.
Oh, and one other thing: while I appreciate Jana’s kind words about my movie review talents they can’t hold a candle to Rob’s – he’s the best and I trust his reviews. Y’all should too!
Comment by The Great White Shank — March 8, 2011 @ 11:43 am
I do get to hear a true Lafayette cajun accent at least once a week when I go get my crayfish etouffe. The owner is an ex-jockey true cajun and I love him.
Comment by Jana — March 8, 2011 @ 12:47 pm