THE MIGHTY QUINN

US, 1989, 98 minutes, Colour.
Denzel Washington, Mimi Rogers, James Fox, M. Emmett Walsh, Robert Townsend.
Directed by Carl Schenkel.

The Mighty Quinn is an enjoyable murder mystery, crime thriller, police story - set in the West Indies with the Caribbean tropical atmosphere. It is based on a story called `Finding Maubee'.

The film is a star vehicle for Denzel Washington (St Elsewhere, Cry Freedom, For Queen and Country). He has an engaging personality and presence as the police chief - as well as a healthy defiance of the corrupt colonial powers and the government. Comedian Robert Townsend (Hollywood Shuffle, television specials) enjoys himself as the mischievous Maubee. There is a mixture of resort hotel atmosphere, ordinary citizens of the islands, as well as touches of voodoo - and the CIA. There is plenty of atmospheric colour, good characterisations, interesting plot. The supporting cast is strong and includes J. Emmett Walsh, James Fox and Mimi Rodgers.

1.Enjoyable thriller? Police story, murder mystery - and the atmosphere of the Caribbean?

2.The island settings, the town, the holiday resorts, the life of the islanders? The musical score, the songs, the rhythms - and the title song?

3.The title, the focus on Quinn - and the original title of the story focusing on Maubee?

4.Satisfying murder mystery, complexity of plot, clues and threads, the nature of the investigation, the explanation and resolution?

5.Denzil Washington's style and presence as Quinn: his reputation, well liked, the childhood bond with Maubee, their friendship, memories of the past and shared places? The suspicions of Maubee? Elgin and his inquiry, the hotel, the deaths? The post-mortems and the speculations about the death? Snakes? The governor and his position, the influence of Elgin and the English? The pressure on Quinn? The clues? The following of trails and the car chases? Adventures around the island? The death of
Pater and its consequences? His relationship with his wife, his son? Tension at home, her rehearsals? Her singing skills, dancing? His going to the witch, the discussions, her niece? Miller and the investigations? The search, the double-cross? The spectacular finale, the explosions and shootout? The chase and finding Maubee? The truth and the ending?

6.Robert Townsend's comic style as Maubee, with the women, the money, driving, happy, the Mighty Quinn? The circumstances, his being suspected, jail, getting out, his disappearance? Relying on past friendships? The gamble, the meeting, the end?

7.Elgin, his character, colonial background, hotel? His guests? Relationship with the governor? His wife, her tensions, lack of love for Elgin, sexuality and relationships? The death in the hotel? The governor's intervention? Elgin being unpleasant, Hadley as victim, the truth?

8.Pater, his death, sexual relationships, the drugs, CIA, investigations, voodoo?

9.The witch and her niece, the voodoo atmosphere, the snake? Death?

10.The light moments punctuating the action? The nightclub, the wife and her singing, the happy dancing - Quinn and his drinking?

11.The resolution of the case? The intricacies? Double-crosses? An effective police drama? With West Indian settings and themes?