Review of Bad Lieutenant (1992) by George R W — 15 Aug 2009

Bad Lieutenant is a hard, cold, and balls to the wall film about the life of a crooked cop. The main character is portrayed brilliantly by Harvey Keitel who gives what is perhaps the performance of his career. The film begins with the Lieutenant dropping his sons off at school. From there we quickly begin to see the descent into depravity, he engages in illegal gambling, cocaine, crack, prostitution, and more drugs, and thats just the first half hour. After a nun is raped by two boys, it is the job of the Lieutenant to find those responsible. He attempts to do this while he continues his descent.

Bottom Line: **** Bad Lieutenant is a finely crafted film that explores the depths of depravity that most filmmakers are unwillingly to touch.