The Big Easy
Remy McSwain is a New Orleans police lieutenant who investigates the murder of a local mobster. His investigation leads him to suspect that fellow members of the police force may be involved.
Despite its tight budget of $8.5M, The Big Easy became a financial success, earning $17.7M worldwide—a 108% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Big Easy (1986) exhibits deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Jim McBride's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Remy McSwain cruises through New Orleans as a charming, rules-bending detective comfortable in his morally gray world of casual corruption.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Assistant DA Anne Osborne arrives to investigate a mob-related murder, bringing scrutiny to the police department and threatening Remy's comfortable status quo.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Remy decides to work with Anne on the investigation, choosing to enter her world despite the risks to himself and his colleagues., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False victory: Remy and Anne make a breakthrough in the case and their relationship peaks with intimacy, but the corruption investigation is actually getting closer to Remy himself., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Anne confronts Remy with evidence of his corruption. The relationship dies as she realizes he's been part of the problem all along. Remy loses both love and his self-image., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Remy chooses integrity over loyalty to corrupt colleagues, deciding to help Anne expose the truth regardless of personal cost. He synthesizes his street-smart skills with newfound moral clarity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Big Easy's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Big Easy against these established plot points, we can identify how Jim McBride utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Big Easy within the drama genre.
Jim McBride's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Jim McBride films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Big Easy represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jim McBride filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Jim McBride analyses, see Great Balls of Fire!, Breathless.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Remy McSwain cruises through New Orleans as a charming, rules-bending detective comfortable in his morally gray world of casual corruption.
Theme
Discussion about how "everybody takes a little" in New Orleans - establishing the theme of corruption vs. integrity and whether small compromises matter.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Remy's world: his police work, relationships with fellow officers, the casual acceptance of bribes and "gratuities," and the vibrant New Orleans setting.
Disruption
Assistant DA Anne Osborne arrives to investigate a mob-related murder, bringing scrutiny to the police department and threatening Remy's comfortable status quo.
Resistance
Remy resists Anne's investigation while simultaneously pursuing her romantically. He debates whether to help or hinder her, torn between attraction and self-preservation.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Remy decides to work with Anne on the investigation, choosing to enter her world despite the risks to himself and his colleagues.
Mirror World
Anne and Remy's romantic relationship deepens, with Anne representing the moral integrity and life outside corruption that Remy didn't know he needed.
Premise
The "fun and games" of the romance-investigation combo: Remy and Anne work together, fall deeper in love, navigate New Orleans culture, while the investigation unfolds.
Midpoint
False victory: Remy and Anne make a breakthrough in the case and their relationship peaks with intimacy, but the corruption investigation is actually getting closer to Remy himself.
Opposition
The walls close in as the investigation reveals deeper corruption. Anne discovers evidence implicating Remy. His colleagues pressure him. The relationship deteriorates under the weight of betrayal.
Collapse
Anne confronts Remy with evidence of his corruption. The relationship dies as she realizes he's been part of the problem all along. Remy loses both love and his self-image.
Crisis
Remy's dark night of the soul: facing his moral compromises, the loss of Anne, and the realization that his "everyone does it" worldview has cost him everything that matters.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Remy chooses integrity over loyalty to corrupt colleagues, deciding to help Anne expose the truth regardless of personal cost. He synthesizes his street-smart skills with newfound moral clarity.
Synthesis
The finale: Remy works to expose the corruption, confronts the antagonistic forces within the police department, and proves his transformation through action and sacrifice.
Transformation
Closing image shows Remy transformed - no longer the morally compromised charmer but a man of integrity who has earned Anne's trust and his own redemption.