The Mighty Quinn


Starring: Denzel Washington, Robert Townsend, James Fox, Mimi Rogers
Directed by: Carl Schenkel
Rating: R
Genre: Action
1989

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: After a murder takes place in a Jamaican city, chief of police Xavier Quinn (Denzel Washington) begins the investigation, the prime suspect being his childhood friend, Maubee (Robert Townsend). As the investigation continues, Quinn discovers the case may not be as open and shut as it first seemed, and a possible cover-up could threaten his own life.

Review:

Tim:

I'd watch any movie with Denzel Washington in it. The guy can just plain act, and usually chooses pretty good films to star in. Here, he is only decent. Perhaps the thing that kills me the most is his Jamaican accent. I'm not saying he doesn't do a good job, it sounds realistic enough. There's just something unbelievable about Washington being a Jamaican. Well, if you're like me, you can look past that easily enough.

Unfortunately, what you will find is a somewhat garbled mess of a film. The Mighty Quinn is supposed to be a twisting who-done-it? crime film. However, most of the film is so ridiculous that you don't really care who did it. Director Carl Schenkel seems more interested in observing other qualities in the film that telling a good story. The whole movie suffers because of this.

I have to say that there is one incredible highlight from this film that saves it from a much worse fate- the reggae soundtrack, most noteably, the song, "The Mighty Quinn." It is just an incredible song, and is weaved so well into the movie. The scenes with it are among the best in the film. The Mighty Quinn is worth seeing just for this one song. Unfortunately, though I may love the reggae music in the film, music alone does not a good film make. I apologize to Denzel Washington because he's such a tremendous actor, but this just isn't a good movie. I'm sure he won't mind too much, though- he has enough incredible ones to make up for it.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 5.5



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