Bad Lieutenant (The)

Genre: psychological drama     

With: Harvey Keitel (the Lieutenant), Zoë Lund (Zoe or Magdalena), Frankie Thorn (the Nun)

Director: Abel Ferrara

Release: 1992

Studio: Bad Lt. Productions

Rating: NC-17

MBiS score: 7.3/10

Here’s the Buzz on the Scuzzy Fuzz

QuickView

Story-line: during the baseball playoffs, a corrupt NYPD cop hits the skids in a spectacular way.  

Pluses: nonpareil acting by Harvey Keitel as a troubled character reminiscent of Robert De Niro’s in TAXI DRIVER, a no-holds-barred screenplay, competent direction.

Minuses: THE BAD LIEUTENANT is very depressing despite several funny moments. Some people may consider it morally offensive due to its strong language and sexual content.     

Comments: for a long time I’ve wondered what this notorious, quasi-mythical film was all about and I don’t regret having seen it… but I must advise you it’s one of the more punishing motion pictures out there. Yes, the Lieutenant is one twisted and contemptible cop but he’s also a human being capable of remorse. ‟I'm sorry, Lord. – you’ll hear him say – I’ve done so many bad things.”

MBiS

© 2017 – All rights reserved