I don’t think The Mighty Quinn ever found the right tone. They don’t quite get the island life vibe right. A film that is supposed to be a mystery, thriller and comedy has to walk a fine line, and it never seems to be able to do that.

It’s no fault of the cast, Denzel Washington is charming, the locations are beautiful, but it doesn’t always work.

Washington is Xavier Quinn, the local sheriff in an island paradise. When he’s called to a local resort to investigate a homicide, he finds himself clashing with Thomas Elgin (Edward Fox) one of the business leaders of the island, and a demand that his childhood friend, and local rogue, Maubee (Robert Townsend) be arrested for the murder.

There’s a lot going on here. Not only is Quinn trying to solve the case, even if it leads to Maubee, but also trying to sort out the relationship with his estranged wife, Lola (Sheryl Lee Ralph).

Things get complicated by the arrival of Fred Miller (M. Emmett Walsh), and things get murky.

Filled with great music and, as mentioned, beautiful locations, The Mighty Quinn is a could have been. It just needed to find a better balance.

It doesn’t help when there’s a singular moment in the film when Maubee breaks the fourth wall.

I think perhaps a different director could have been of better service here. Someone with a feel for the islands and tropical living. It’s not quite as laid back as it should be. There are hints of it, but it’s not quite there. And the comedy should come from the characters and their interactions, the way they talk to one another. But it never comes off right.

I’m not ragging on the film. It’s entertaining enough, Washington seems to be having a good time. It’s vibrant and colorful, and I love, love, love the music – the soundtrack gets played regularly. I just think it could have been a bit stronger.

It should have leaned into island life a little more, an exploration of resort life versus life on the rest of the island – it’s hinted at a little, but could have been delved into a litttle more. And the idea of promoting a successful tourist destination over justice and police investigation.

It needed a bit more fleshed out in the script, perhaps a slightly longer runtime, and honestly, looking at it now, I’d love this to be adapted for a limited series, really exploring all of aspects of island life.

That would be a good watch.

The Mighty Quinn isn’t so mighty, but it’s interesting, and Washington is always great.