The Mighty Quinn

R

Released Feb 17, 1989

1 hr. 38 min.

Mystery & Thriller

List

89%

18 Reviews

Tomatometer

48%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Police chief Xavier Quinn (Denzel Washington) investigates the gruesome murder of Donald Pater, one of the wealthiest residents on a Caribbean island. He was found decapitated in his Jacuzzi. Although the local political establishment, especially crooked Governor Chalk (Norman Beaton), insists that small-time thief Maubee (Robert Townsend) is responsible, Xavier has his doubts. This view is complicated by the police chief's personal history with Maubee: The men have been friends since childhood.

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Critics Consensus

A deft hybrid of laughs, espionage, and music, The Mighty Quinn is a smart, pleasant entertainment that offers an early example of Denzel Washington's onscreen magnetism.

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Audience Member

Denzel Washington in a fast-paced, exotic-looking, and fun cop flick from the 1980's the setting is in the Caribbean and a murder has taken place, several suspects are in question including local Maubee some powerful rich figures want him to be the scapegoat because they may be hiding something connected to the deceased Quinn is a police officer on the island under-appreciated and letting the politicians party hard and having fun getting more of the credit even his chief doesnt want him to break protocol but Quinn is determined to solve the case any way possible it could be dangerous though as he gets closer and closer provoking the wrong people Quinn also has a son he tries to keep in contact with plus his on-and-off again girlfriend is a performer that's trying to showcase her talents this is one of Denzel Washington's earlier works and also one of his more enjoyable ones combining comedy, drama, thrills, and looking at the wiser side of human nature

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/18/24

Full Review

Farah R

If you don't take the movie too seriously, you'll find something to enjoy, if only for Denzel Washington.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/21/23

Full Review

Steve D

Fun early Denzel action film. Not up to later instalments but showing signs of the star he will become.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/20/23

Full Review

William L

"Do you ever let down your guard, Mr. Quinn?" "Couple of weeks ago I shaved off my moustache." A film inspired by a Bob Dylan song that has no relation to the character or plot apart from the name, The Mighty Quinn is a goofy combination of various '80s genre elements all stitched together - the action flick, the cop movie, the buddy comedy, and the political thriller all rolled up into one package with an early-career Denzel Washington at the head. The story is a strange conspiracy, essentially a Jamaican neo-noir with American imperialism as the big bad while at the same time there's tons of goofball antics and a love interest hanging around in the background; The Mighty Quinn doesn't seem too sure about what it wants to be so it tries to be everything. Denzel's got plenty of charm and streetwise cop energy to spare, but this film is more entertainment value than anything else, with plenty of knives being knocked out of hands and investigators bristling under their corrupt superiors. Apparently Roger Ebert gave it his highest possible rating. (2.5/5)

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/16/22

Full Review

Audience Member

ok movie to kill time.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

jelisije j

One of those movies where the plot is secondary and the actor must do all he can to save this film. Without Denzel this movie barley holds on to itself.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Carl Schenkel

Director

Denzel Washington

Xavier Quinn

Robert Townsend

Maubee

James Fox

Thomas Elgin

Mimi Rogers

Hadley Elgin

M. Emmet Walsh

Fred Miller

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

[Washington] gives the kind of smooth, funny, laid-back performance that could help make him the first black matinee idol since Sidney Poitier.

Rated: 3/4

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Rita Kempley

Washington Post

With Fancher's dialogue and Washington's comedic timing, The Mighty Quinn is more fun than a cabana full of bananas.

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The Mighty Quinn is a spy thriller, a buddy movie, a musical, a comedy and a picture that is wise about human nature. And yet with all of those qualities, it never seems to strain.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

The Mighty Quinn manages to just squeak by based on its stylish visuals, appealing island atmosphere, and proliferation of engaging performances...

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 23, 2024

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

The film has much of what you want out of a crime thriller but there is also a subtle playfulness to it.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 24, 2022

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Pleasing comical murder mystery that takes place on a small Caribbean island.

Rated: B+

May 9, 2009

Full Review

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Synopsis

Police chief Xavier Quinn (Denzel Washington) investigates the gruesome murder of Donald Pater, one of the wealthiest residents on a Caribbean island. He was found decapitated in his Jacuzzi. Although the local political establishment, especially crooked Governor Chalk (Norman Beaton), insists that small-time thief Maubee (Robert Townsend) is responsible, Xavier has his doubts. This view is complicated by the police chief's personal history with Maubee: The men have been friends since childhood.

Director: Carl Schenkel
Screenwriter: Hampton Fancher
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 17, 1989, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.0M
Sound Mix: Surround

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