Review of Bad Lieutenant (1992) by Rich C — 26 May 2011

Abel Ferrara's Bad Lieutenant is probably one of the best films of the 90s; even Martin Scorsese acknowledged it as such, however unsurprising that is given the nature of the character as well as the gritty backdrop that is the New York City underbelly.

What begins as a graphic and depressing piece of cinematic pulp about an unshakably corrupt member of the NYPD gradually evolves into one of the most distinct, provocative and unexpectedly moving examinations of spiritual turmoil I've ever seen.

Ferrara isn't interested in titillating his audience with vulgarity or sickening delights, which didn't stop the MPAA from slapping it with an NC-17 rating before its release in 1992, of course.

None other than Harvey Keitel fills the dirty shoes of the title character, and this is one of his best and most daring performances. He all but disappears into the role before the eyes, leaving not a small, vile or broken detail unturned.

If you find yourself feeling saddened by the film's haunting climax, a nagging sense of real human tragedy, then don't be surprised: perhaps there is a bad lieutenant residing in all of us.