Bad Lieutenant

Rating:
Summary: How can you forgive that...
Review: I had heard, by word of mouth over the years, that "Bad Lieutenant" was truly extraordinary, but nothing could really prepare me for the sheer visceral impact of the film, or the electrifying, career best performance, given by Harvey Keitel, in fact I watched the film 3 days ago, and have deliberately waited 'til now to write this review.

After much thought I have to say that "Bad Lieutenant" really is a monstrous train-wreck of a movie, but what keeps you watching, utterly mesmerized, unable to look away for an instant, is Keitel's performance as the titular character. He's never given a name in the film, or even in the credits, he's just the "Lieutenant," and "Bad?" "Bad" doesn't even begin to describe this guy, as the front of the DVD case puts it, "Gambler. Thief. Junkie. Killer. Cop."

After surviving on the mean streets of New York for 20 years, he has seen, and pretty well done, it all; the "Lieutenant" is a man who exists in a nihilistic Hell of his own making, and we watch as he roars headlong towards his own destruction, along the way, plumbing the very depths of abject human depravity.

A lapsed Catholic, he is still wracked by guilt for the truly awful deeds he commits, whether it's doing and/or selling drugs, booze, sex, gambling, thieving, killing, the "Lieutenant" is a soul in torment. Unable to find a way out, he is sinking deeper and deeper into a morass of yet MORE drugs, MORE booze, MORE bets he can't cover, and more, meaningless, cold, emotionless, and depraved, sexual acts.

Yet somewhere deep inside this blasted shell of a man, there still exists a spark of humanity, so lost in the wretched, savage squalor of his life, that even HE doesn't know it's there. Then one day he becomes involved in the investigation of a crime that shocks even him... the brutal rape of a Catholic nun. Initially coldly dismissive of what the young woman had been through, he listens in on her conversations with her superiors and is shocked to his core to discover that even though her bruises are still fresh, she has already forgiven her attackers. She knows their names but won't pass them on to the police.

The "Lieutenant" can barely comprehend how can such a thing can be, how can she forgive such a terrible act... such a terrible sin? If she can forgive so much, then maybe, just maybe, he himself can find some kind of redemption, maybe someone - God? - can forgive him HIS sins. After his confrontation with the nun, howling out his characters pain, and anger, and hurt, and fear, Harvey Keitel gives the most searingly honest, desperate, and emotionally raw performance of his career.

Bleak, brutal, depraved, and honest, are some of the words that I would use to describe this film, which is NOT easy to watch, especially this NC-17 version, but it's a film that SHOULD be watched by anyone who is serious about Cinema as an art form. Between them, Ferrera and Keitel have produced an extraordinary cinematic experience, unbending and uncompromising in its exploration of the human condition, powerful and unforgiving, it forces you to actually THINK about the subject matter, and to face the rotten darkness in the heart of this particular human soul.

I would like to end this review with a bit of trivia concerning Keitel's performance. Regardless of whether you love this film or hate it - like "2001," this film seems to generate extreme reactions - no one can argue about the power, and sheer gut-wrenching truthfulness, of Keitel's performance. Depending on exactly when the film was released, Keitel would have been eligible for a shot at either the '92 or '93 Oscar for Best Actor. So who won? Well, I looked it up, and Keitel "lost" to, either, Al Pacino in "Scent of a Woman" in '92, or, God help us, Tom Hanks in "Philadelphia" in '93! Next time I find myself getting even mildly curious about who's taking home one of the gold statuettes, this little bit of trivia will kind-of put the whole tawdry circus into perspective!

Rating:
Summary: The ultimate thriller!
Review: For me, this movie counts as THE most impressive, hard-as-nails thriller ever made. Especially the dvd, with its interesting commentary by the director and oh so realistic drug and "tail-light" scene, is a real gem, not to be missed by any fan of underground cinema. Watch it by all means, but be warned : this is NOT a movie for the easily offended!

Rating:
Summary: Tour-de-force
Review: Love him or hate him, Harvey Keitel will probably never put out a performance equal to his work in "Bad Lieutenant". It's probably my least favourite Abel Ferrara film, but the sheer weight and pathos Keitel puts into the role is nothing short of monstrous.

It's a disturbing film to watch, but it's tantamount to watching a car wreck--you can't help but be transfixed. The film itself is average (a la "Scent Of A Woman"), and deserves no more than 3 stars, but his performance is worthy of 5 or more stars. It also stars familiar New York (and Ferrara) character actors Victor Argo and Paul Calderon.

Rating:
Summary: Harvey Keitel Does It Again - And Again!
Review: Harvey Keitel finally "shoots his talented wad" here and goes for broke. This movie is so real and surreal at the same time, I was agape most of the time. I won't spoil the scenes, but he is one 'bad' lieutenant here and gets away with it (sort of). It's a great storyline filled with hilariously uncomfortable scenes that put a new spin on Harvey and "Weird". I refuse to get into the details, as the storyline is great - along the lines of a Taratino film. Loved it!

Rating:
Summary: No Redeeming Qualities
Review: There are no redeeming qualities about the script, which overwhelms its viewers with drugs, corruption and violence until the lieutenant meets his untimely end. It is a movie that contains so much depravity, which is brilliantly portrayed that it will leave you feeling depressed once its over. Don't let children watch it because it could corrupt their minds. My advice is don't buy it, if you must see it rent it, but remember, you've been warned!

Rating:
Summary: EVERYTHING TRAINING TRIED TO BE.
Review: MY TITLE FOR THIS REVIEW IS ALL THE REVIEW THIS NEEDS.FOR THOSE WHO THOUGHT TRAINING DAY WAS ALL THAT,CHECK THIS OUT TO HOW IS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE.

Rating:
Summary: The Most Nihilistic Movie I've Ever Seen
Review: If you are a jaded, cynical person with a rotten view of life (and these days, who isn't?) you'll...well, you won't necessarily "enjoy" this movie, but it will satisfy you in the same way that manic-depressives satisfy themselves with razorblades.

Will appeal to the same folks who reveled in the violence and/or depravity of "Natural Born Killers," "Happiness," "Boogie Nights," "American Beauty," etc.

Rating:
Summary: He's soooo BAAAAD!
Review: Harvey Keitel is excellent in this disgusting portrayal of a cop gone bad. He's so bad that the character's name is never mentioned in the entire movie to include the credits. You can just refer to him as "The Bad Lieutenant."

Rating:
Summary: Keitel at his best
Review: An amazing protrayal of a degenerate cop who must come to terms with his own devils. One of Keitel's best performaces, it is graphic, shocking and disturbing at times. A must see for Keitel or Ferrara fans. The NC-17 version is a must as well.

Rating:
Summary: Harvey Keitel Performance Is Simply Amazing
Review: Bad Lieutenant is a amazing film Harvey Keitel performance is simply amazing and director Abel Ferrara direction is unique and powerful. This is by far one of the best films of the 90'es it is rated NC-17 and is an adult film and is not for kids. But strong stomic drama fans will enjoy it. The DVD is ok you get the uncut version thats about it.

Warning: This Film Contains Extremely Graphic Drug Use Including A Extremely Graphic Rape Sequence Strong Violence And graphic language. This film is for Adults Only