The Mighty Quinn (1989) User Reviews

Great fun

[lllama · 7/10 · 31 May 2000]

While I don't consider this a "great" movie, I must say that it is one of those movies like a favorite pair of slippers: always so comfortable to put on. I can't stop watching this old movie because it's so much fun, the characters are so comfortable to be with, the locations are so relaxing, and Washington is, as always, a wonderful actor.

Though it is not the high point of the movie, my favorite moment occurs when Quinn (Washington) loosens up, sits down at the piano, and begins an amusing rendition of "Cakewalk into Town." Unfortunately, others subvert his song into "The Mighty Quinn," disturbing the atmosphere somewhat, but that's all part of the plot.

Quinn's "serious cop" is the straight man to another worthy character, Maubee (Robert Townsend), an impish rascal loved by everyone on the island.

"The Mighty Quinn" makes me want to go to the island and party with everyone there, but, alas, it's only a movie.

It's always interesting to see cultures that we often forget about.

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 19 September 2005]

"The Mighty Quinn" is one of those movies that isn't a masterpiece by any stretch, but is interesting for what it shows. In this case, we get to see Jamaica, where sheriff Xavier Quinn (Denzel Washington) is investigating a murder and trying to clear his friend Maubee's (Robert Townsend) name. One of the most interesting scenes is when someone escapes from a house by climbing through the tin roof. Now there's a look at the Caribbean! Probably the best part of this movie is the soundtrack. Considering that it happens in the Caribbean, you know that there's got to be some great music. And you won't be disappointed. Like I said, "The Mighty Quinn" isn't a great movie or anything, but it's interesting for what it shows. See it if possible.

Not quite so mighty after nearly thirty years

[richard-fieldhouse · 6/10 · 11 July 2018]

Released in 1989, The Mighty Quinn is currently rated as Denzel Washington's 46th best movie (on IMDB). I'm not saying it's bad but it's never going to become a classic and it is starting to show its age a little.

Denzel plays Xavier Quinn, the police chief on a Caribbean island where some stereotypical eccentricities are maybe rather over-emphasised. He's very dashing in his formal uniform and while out of favour with his wife, he's still not short of admirers. His not-so-smooth life is then even more disturbed by a murder at a smart local hotel. The powers that be seem rather too keen to close down the investigation fast and pin the blame on Maubee - a colourful ne'er-do-well who was also Quinn's childhood friend. A role that gives Robert Townsend plenty of scope to enjoy himself.

Denzel himself, though, is perhaps at his 46th best. What in his later roles becomes a cool stillness, here sometimes just looks a little stiff. His Jamaican accent also occasionally wanders and his singing is a departure.

Don't be totally put off though. Denzel is still easy to watch and it's a gently diverting classic murder mystery set in a colourful community and beautiful scenery. 6/10.

Easy does it

[yayamagic · 4 June 2003]

This is an easy movie to like.

I love Maubee's mystery and his history with Xavier. I love Xavier's uniform and his relationship with all islanders.

Even when Maubee is tearing down the house, he has a smile on his face. Even when Xavier forgets to pick up his son and finds him hours later, alone and in the dark, it's not the end of the world, the child is entertaining himself and he forgives his father - easily.

These island inhabitants are comfortable to watch. What my grandmother would have called "easy in their skin."

"Don't you know this is a goin' down road?"

I love that line.

And I love a place that would designate a mountain road "a goin' down" road during certain parts of the day.

Also, this rendition of Bob Dylan "Mighty Quinn" is the easiest version to my ears.

Jamaican Denzel!

[view_and_review · 7/10 · 18 August 2018]

A wealthy white resort owner is found dead in his hotel on the island of Jamaica. When Chief Xavier Quinn (Denzel Washington) investigates he's met with resistance and simply told to find Maubee (Robert Townsend). Quinn, not willing to simply turn away, pursues the investigation further much to the disapproval of the governor as well as Elgin (James Fox), another white bigwig.

Based upon the book "Finding Maubee", it's an intriguing murder mystery with a Jamaican flare. There aren't many twists and turns but neither is the crime clear cut. The movie primarily follows Quinn through his surreptitious investigation as well as his family and woman troubles. The movie is easy to watch, easy to follow, plus you get to hear Denzel do his best Jamaican impression.

Denzel as Jamaican is kinda fun

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 18 February 2014]

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.

Where's Belafonte when you need him?

[rmax304823 · 5/10 · 22 March 2006]

Relaxed -- very relaxed -- murder story, with Denzel Washington as a detective ordered to find and capture his friend so the murder can be rapidly cleared up and the tourist trade flow along liquidly. Halfway through, Washington begins to believe that there is more to the case than meets the eye, and that his buddy will be no more than a scapegoat.

Very nice location shooting in Jamaica. If you like reggae, you will LOVE this film's score. There are lots of shots of the beautiful beach. Hey, mon, why you jomp in dee wah-tah faw? The more desperately seedy areas of Kingston are avoided, as they would be in one of Hitchcock's movies set in an exotic locale. The viewpoint is that of the tourist used to saying in nice hotels, the kind with jacuzzis but no venomous snakes.

Denzel Washington handles the accent pretty well without quite shedding his own phones. Sometimes it fades more than others. The other performers don't really have too much to do. Everyone seems to be enjoying himself, as if on vacation.

The movie is rather good-natured considering the plot. The white guys tend to be bad, while the local people of color are at worst raffish. Is there still such racial friction in Jamaica? I don't know, but in the Bahamas the races get along well with one another, as they do in much of the Caribbean. Maybe big cities breed animosities spontaneously.

There's nothing truly outstanding about this routine flick, except, as I've noted, the score. It's not especially exciting, mysterious, amusing, or engaging in any other way. It's not a bad flick if you're prepared to let it take you by the hand and lead you along the colorful streets, pointing out sites of interest, suggesting you taste the jerky and try one of those pink drinks in a tall glass with a flower and a paper umbrella sticking out of it. We call it Captain Bluebeard's Mango Flavored Rum Punch. Mind the umbrella. One of awah tourists lost an eye last year. Don't drink? Fine, bad faw the health. Care for one of awah Jah-may-can cigars?

You might not remember much of it later but you won't object to having watched it.

The best part of the movie was probably the soundtrack.

[kevin_robbins · 6/10 · 26 October 2022]

The Mighty Quinn (1989) is a movie that I recently watched on HBOMAX. The storyline follows a Jamaican detective and his best friend who grew up on the island. When the detective is framed for murder and robbery and his only clue is a $10,000 bill he will try to uncover who is behind the heist and why they targeted him.

This movie is directed by Carl Schenkel (The Hitchhiker) and stars Denzel Washington (Training Day), Robert Townsend (Hollywood Shuffle), Mimi Rogers (Lost in Space), M. Emmet Walsh (Bladerunner) and Esther Rolle (The Jefferson).

Denzel Washington's accent in this always cracks me up. The settings and backdrops are absolutely gorgeous. The cast is impressive and delivers solid performances. The storyline is straightforward and outside of the $10,000 bill element wasn't overly creative and kind of cliche. The best part of the movie was probably the soundtrack.

Overall, this is a fairly average addition to the crime drama genre that doesn't have enough unique elements to really stand out. I would score this a 6/10 and only recommend it if nothing better is available.

Denzel - just about - carries this weak movie

[wisDOM87 · 4/10 · 13 November 2019]

This film - one of Denzel Washington's earlier efforts, before he became a household name in the early 90s - sounds intriguing at first glance. He plays a chief of police on an unnamed Caribbean island (a scarcely concealed Jamaica, where the film was shot). If you can ignore his constantly shifting accent (sometimes Jamaican, sometimes American, sometimes British) then this might be worth a look for DW fans - he gives a decent performance and is really the only thing that keeps this film afloat. He's let down though by a very weak script - the film can't quite decide what it wants to be: cop film, a political thriller, romance, an exploration of post-colonial racial tensions, or travelogue-esque exploration of Caribbean culture, and the central narrative thrust (some nonsense about a briefcase of money and a corpse) really isn't interesting or fleshed out enough to sustain interest. New characters are flung at the screen every 10 minutes (Mimi Rogers, the fat American, the resort owner, the governor, the Latino contract killer, the witch etc. etc.) and it just gets wearisome trying to keep track of them all. DW's character for instance has at least three love interests in a film that's just a tad over 90 minutes. The Jamaican location is something of a novelty for a Hollywood film I suppose, though don't go expecting any profound insights into the island and its culture from this (it's mostly an idealised 'Cool Runnings'-esque depiction of happy-clappy people devoted to reggae, ganja and rum). It's set almost entirely in a resort town and really doesn't make the most of its location (go see some actual Jamaican films, like The Harder They Come, Dancehall Queen, Third World Cop etc. for that). Anyway, in a few months time when I've forgotten everything about this movie I'll remember DW's interesting performance at least, so it might be worth your time for that.

An outstanding and entertaining mystery with Denzel

[nholowka · 9/10 · 16 July 2000]

This is one of the most entertaining movies I've seen all year. It takes place in a town on a carribean island not unlike Jamaica, and tells the story of a drifter named Maubee accussed of murder, and his best friend who happens to be the town sherrif. I loved this movie, because of it's wonderful characters, and the things they deal with over the course of this movie. The film may not be action-packed, or even contain a gripping plot, but I assure any readers this movie will not dissapoint you. Denzel Washington is delightful as the sherrif trying to prove his friends innosennce, and Robert Townsend plays the down-and-out drifter Maubee, in an equaly pleasing role. While the films premise may not initialy draw you in, its wonderful characters and colorful island setting will. And everytime things start to slow down, the movie drops another dead body in. See this movie.

A Hidden Gem

[monkeysgalore · 6/10 · 9 January 2020]

I have been a huge Denzel Washington fan for a long time, and I can honestly say that he is my all-time favorite actor. He plays himself in most of his roles, but he has so much charisma and energy, and he's so likable, that he can carry a film on his own, as well as elevate a routine, or even bad, film above its flaws. He's had very few, if any, bad films, and he seems to choose his roles very carefully. These are all things we know about him, but people did not think this in the 80s. Denzel was still an up-and-comer in the 80s and 90s, working hard to prove himself.

"The Mighty Quinn" is a little-known 1989 mystery thriller, known mostly by die-hard Denzel fans. Denzel had many underrated vehicles in the 80s and 90s, such as "For Queen and Country", "Ricochet", "Virtuosity", "The Siege", and "Fallen", and "The Mighty Quinn" is no exception. Given more than enough room to flex his acting muscles, Denzel holds the hand of the script the whole way through, and it's great. The script does immensely benefit from Denzel's involvement, though it might've been a bigger success had a more well-known star been the lead at the time.

I found this movie to be a lot of fun. It's serious, but it's so charming and likable that it's easy to forget that the plot is about a murderer, and a person framed for it. From the reggae soundtrack, to some of the wacky characters, to the exotic location, there's just so much here. Add to that one or two strange sequences where characters fight with what looks like a strange martial art, and you have a very unique movie. Add to that great performances from the two leads, and you have a winner. I don't care what anyone says, I loved this movie. So did Roger Ebert. Go read his review if I'm not credible enough.

Hampton Fancher wrote the story, a competent screenwriter known for "Blade Runner", "The Minus Man", and "Blade Runner 2049". He adapted the screenplay from a 1971 novel by A. H. Z. Carr called "Finding Maubee". The story is paced well, and really develops its characters. It also helped that he had Denzel and Robert Townsend to work with, as both really help sell the story.

Carl Schenkel directed the film, and it's unfortunate that he hasn't really done anything else, aside from "Knight Moves". He's a very competent director, and he stages set pieces quite nicely.

The performances were all good, although the high point, obviously, was the great Denzel. He's stellar as usual, and almost too likable. Robert Townsend compliments Denzel well, delivering an excellent supporting performance, and the other actors were all fine. Michael Emmet Walsh was a fine villain, although he could've done better had he been given more to work with.

The character of Xavier Quinn, along with a lot of other things about this film, is very interesting. He's a super cop, and yet, he's an everyman. The story describes him as a legend in his community, and many people obviously respect him. This seems to be a set up for him to show us his ability to kill or take down criminals, but he doesn't really. You wait for him to become a superhero and do superhuman things, but he never really does. We're just asked to believe that he's revered, and leave it. his character works with his legend, and never feels he has to prove it, like many other films do. He slowly and methodically unravels the mystery, and it's very interesting.

I've seen this film described as an action film in a few different places (here on IMDb and on Roger Ebert's website), but to call it that would almost be a disservice, as it's more than that. There's very little violence, aside from one moderately violent offscreen murder, and the only real action sequences are a brief fight and the final sequence. The fight scene, and a scene at the beginning in which Quinn disarms a man with a knife, were a little strange though. They were edited quickly, and the characters were using some kind of weird martial art. Anyway, it's not an action movie. Don't go in expecting a ton of action, or you'll b sorely disappointed.

I highly recommend this film, if you're a Denzel fan or not. Aside from some infrequent harsh language, there's nothing to not enjoy.

So bad yet...

[tomlaws · 4/10 · 10 March 2019]

Amateurs get a camera. This is one of those movies that's so awkwardly bad that it's almost entertaining to watch, ALMOST!!! The acting, videography, and script all have that awkwardmess about them like when you listen to a 12 year olds attempts at playing the piano.

Denzel's "mighty" fine in this one!

[lwh · 7 May 2001]

Do you want to be magically transported to the islands? Do you want to hear raggae music that's out of this world? Do you want to see Denzel's beautiful brown skin against an all white uniform? The Mighty Quinn's got all three plus a pretty decent plot and some pretty well known actors. Robert Townsend is great as the wily Maubee, Mimi Rogers is convincing as a damsel in distress and Sheryl Lee Ralph showcases her talents as both an actress and a singer. But perhaps the best part of this movie, in my opinion, is Denzel's character Xavier. Oh yes he looks sexy, as he always does. But more that that it's the way he embodies a role so much so that by the end of the movie you can't tell him from smooth tongued Jamaican police officer that he's playing. Catch it one late night on television reruns and I bet you'll get caught up. You'll never feel the same way about a Jamaican accent again.

Jack of all genres, master of none.

[=G= · 6/10 · 27 October 2002]

According to Ebert, who gave this flick a whopping four stars, "...Quinn" is a "spy thriller, a buddy movie, a musical, a comedy and a picture that is wise about human nature." And, though the film may be a jack of all genres, it masters none. Full of fun stuff which dilutes the drama and visa-versa, "...Quinn" is also fraught with foibles. For example, if you were frantically trying to gather up large denomination bills strewn over the landscape, would you beckon your helicopter to come and get you? Not if you wanted the dinero. Nonetheless, this film makes for solid entertainment with a Jamaican flavor worth a rental for Denzel fans. (B-)

The Mighty Quinn

[henry8-3 · 6/10 · 18 June 2023]

When a wealthy man is found beheaded on a Caribbean island, police chief Quinn (Denzel Washington) investigates and has to find local criminal and childhood friend Maubee (Robert Townsend) who the local men of power and influence are determined is responsible.

Enjoyable mystery thriller which director Carl Schenkel handles well, with good set pieces, a perfectly decent mystery, some great music, including a version of 'The Mighty Quinn' and a wry slice of humour throughout. The cast all give convincing performances and Washington is, as usual, a strong lead. If I was to quibble, I found Townsend's character ill fitting and rather annoying and baddie James Fox' story didn't really get resolved, otherwise, a lot of fun.

A Great Surprise

[slightlymad22 · 7/10 · 10 August 2023]

Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography I come to 1989's The Mighty Quinn

OK. This caught me totally by surprise and is my favourite movie, of Denzel's so far. An argument could be made that it's one of the best movies of 1989. Not top 10, but top 20 for sure.

Attempting his third accent in as many movies, Denzel is at his charismatic best. He has that rare movie star quality, that he doesn't seem to be trying.

Co starring with Denzel is his A Soldier's Story costars Robert Townsend and Art Evans

Despite positive reviews, The Mighty Quinn was yet another failure at the box office, grossing less than $5 million dollars.

I watched this for free on Amazon Prime.

Very unexciting.

[gridoon · 4/10 · 7 April 2001]

Apparently everyone likes this movie except me. Strange thing, too, because while I was watching this I couldn't find a single positive redeeming quality to raise my opinion of it - even the locations are not photographed very attractively. It's a boring mystery tale, that never manages to get you involved, and when everything is revealed you don't get any particular pleasure from the resolution. In fact, the movie takes so long to reach at wherever it's going that you may feel like dozing off on several occasions. Denzel Washington, in this particular role, doesn't show enough star charisma to hold the picture; his co-star, Robert Townsend, steals the show as the cheerfully irresponsible "victim of circumstances". (*1/2)

Sometimes mighty but too often predictable

[redcrossaint · 6/10 · 27 July 2022]

The mystery is predictable and the movie as a whole is nothing new. What is new about the movie, though, or rather, what distinguishes it, is its setting, Jamaica, and the great reggae music that accompanies it. I feel the movie is more in touch with its characters, and doesn't care about its mystery as much. That is also distinguishable.

The plot follows a policeman (Denzel Washington) who is tasked with catching a murder culprit, suspected to be Mawnee (Robert Townsend) who has also stolen a large sum of money with him.

The thing I like is the characters, and the acting, particularly Denzel Washington. There's a great scene with his wife, where she tells him that Mawnee is "only a lover, not a killer". This, once again, proves my point - it's character based, and the mystery is second hand, which ruins the movie. The film is definitely flawed by predictable mystery and some boring direction. But the characters, some of the acting, the reggae music and the Jamaican locations, which are photographed beautifully, are superb. It's an interesting movie, but I'd say there is really no interest in seeing it.

The Mighty Quinn (1989)

2½ STARS (OUT OF 4)

Directed by Carl Schenkel

Written by Hampton Fancher

Starring Denzel Washington, Robert Townsend, Mimi Rogers and M.

Emmet Walsh

Rated R

98 minutes.

This May Be One Of Denzel Washington's Worst Movies!

[leighabc123 · 1/10 · 16 August 2003]

You will surely laugh at the awful singing when you watch this movie! And it was so stupid having Esther Rolle to play a witch doctor. I was so annoyed with Denzel Washington, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Robert Townsend's phony Jamaican accents! They were not speaking Jamaican. They were speaking Jamaicinglish! I thought this movie was stupid when I first saw it when I was 14. And I still think this movie is stupid! Denzel Washington cannot sing! This movie joined my list of movies that received a one star rating!

Rum Punch and Reggae

[lastliberal · 8/10 · 23 May 2008]

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.

Appalling! Avoid like the coronavirus!

[vinden_grace · 1/10 · 5 March 2020]

I had reasonable expectations as it has Denzel in plus James Fox. Then I saw the opening title, credits, etc. So cheap & dated. Looked really low budget.

I persevered for 20-25 minutes & regretted even that. Acting by even the likes of James Fox was appalling. Looked embarrassed to be there!

Appalling!

A good movie

[oarkas · 10 April 2006]

I just discovered this movie a week or two ago. It is really fun! That's more than can be said for lots of movies these days. I am surprised that people have not commented on the three blind men following one another as they tap their way through one of the scenes. A real "nod" to James Bond's Dr. No. This is just one of the surprises in this very entertaining movie. Denzel Washington was excellent. The film is full of interesting, quirky characters and some great dialogue as well. It is also good to see location filming in a place that is not often seen in films any more. This is really an old fashioned type of film with a sense of life and warmth in it.

Robert Townsend is Tops

[whpratt1 · 5/10 · 26 March 2007]

Always enjoy the great acting of Denzel Washington, who plays the role as Xavier Quinn, police chief in the Jamaican community and is very serious trying to uphold the law and order. However, he encounters a homicide and intends to deal with this case strictly by the book and has great problems with all the local politicians and his friends. Robert Townsend,(Maubee) plays the role of a carefree individual who does just what he pleases and mostly the wrong side of the law and is constantly laughing at strait laced Xavier Quinn. James Fox, (Thomas Elgin) and Mimi Rogers, (Hadley Elgin) give great supporting roles. This is not exactly the greatest film but with the great talents of Robert Townsend and Denzel Washington it is a worthwhile film to view and enjoy.

"I'm going all the way."

[lost-in-limbo · 5/10 · 28 July 2012]

Oh the song from Manfred Mann does cop a work out from time to time, but that's one of its many colourful elements as Denzel Washington stars as a police chief Quinn of a small Caribbean island who begins an investigation after the death of an American tourist in a resort. The evidence leads to his shady childhood friend Maubee (an enigmatic Robert Townsend), which starts to cause a ripple within all levels of the island society. However Quinn believes there's more to it, as there seems to be some sort of cover-up occurring and this means that its less likely his friend was involved. Boasting a strong title, "The Mighty Quinn" is a humidly standard investigative thriller that examines human nature, but in doing so it feels a little too unfocused in its narrative structure by going off in many different paths. Espionage to family issues, throw in goofy humour and of course the musical interludes. Appealing in parts, especially since it captures the bouncy, carefree atmosphere of its culture and the dazzling backdrop is a character itself. However it does lack suspense when it tries to go for broke, because of its charmingly laid-back vibe and foreseeable storytelling. Even though you have everyone nearly acting suspicious and plot tries to be tricky it doesn't hide the fact it's easy to read. There's a capable cast in James Fox, M Emmet Walsh, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Mimi Rogers and Art Evans, but they seem like in a holidaying mood. Carl Schenkel's direction has a stylish verve to it. Charming, but unremarkable thriller.

"He knows the cops are after him, and the man is bang into the fourth dimension".

GOOD CARIBBEAN ADVENTURE MYSTERY

[flimbuff · 8/10 · 27 April 2002]

Washington plays a very low keyed Island cop who has a murder and some wealthy people to deal with if he wants to solve it. The if involves some racial and money overtones that would seem to put him over his head. Excellent supporting cast led by Walsh and Townsend make this a very good and underrated film.