The Mighty Quinn (1989)

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.

This movie has some very personal conflicts that we could all use as many perspectives to as possible. It was one of the first movies ever made with a really emotional and well choreographed Capoeira fight toward the end that you can't miss! This is one of my favorite Denzel Washington movies of all times! The characterization in this movie was done very well. The cultural issues were also well portrayed for the time that this movie is set in. You really have to be in an attentive state of mind to appreciate this movie and have some sort of respect for the history of martial arts and the depths of having to fight a battle that you don't want to fight, to the death, because you are standing up for morale. I really liked this movie and I hate authority. The authority figure is the main character, so decide for yourself if these things sound interesting enough to give this movie a chance.

I never tire of watching this movie. It is one of my favorites, and a great showcase for Denzel Washington. He gets to be the cool-headed Chief of Police that takes no crap from the rich white folks and, at the same time, is the butt of jokes from his own people.The cast of characters all add to this interesting mystery set in Jamaica. Robert Townsend shows his amazing versatility as the childhood friend of Washington and the chief suspect in a murder. Mimi Rogers is just luscious as the philandering spouse of James Fox, the man who wants Washington to go away and stop doing his job. M. Emmet Walsh makes the perfect government hit man, who is after missing $10,000 bills. Then, there is Sheryl Lee Ralph as Washington's wife. When she sings "(I'm) Hurting Inside," you know it's true. Then she sings the title song as a dig at her husband. But, the whole film has a continuous soundtrack of fantastic music that adds island charm to the laughs and seduction and fun.It is the next best thing to a trip to Jamaica.

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.