Review of Bad Lieutenant (1992) by Zach B — 06 Feb 2011

When it comes to films and the rating system, there is one rating that is the most feared of them all: NC-17. If a film has that rating, then it means two things. The first being is that typically this is a pornographic film and the second is that most theatres will refuse to show this film.

This film has pornographic scenes, but do not expect eroticism. Instead, replace that with the language, violent images of Jesus on the cross, and heavy (and I mean HEAVY) drug usage. In terms of directing, this has to be Abel Ferrara's ultimate film he has made.

Known for making the unwatchable "The Driller Killer", the man has created one of the most shocking films about a man's downfall that I have ever seen. This film, while being short, has a script that is tight, a simple yet complex plot, and a pace that still leaves me in shock that this man created this film.

In terms of acting, what can be said? Each actor that is in this film took it beyond seriously, and it actually pays off. Harvey Keitel (Reservoir Dogs; Pulp Fiction) gives maybe his best performance (tied to being Mr.

White in Reservoir Dogs) in his entire career in this film. As you watch him, this film gives you not one single reason to like this man. He is an addict, unforgiving, and an all around terrible person.

But as he hits rock bottom at the end, you start to care about him because you have followed him this far and you want to see were he ends up and his ultimate choice. The score to this film, while very little, fills up every scene it is in perfectly.

But, what interests me is that in replace for the score, you have instead radio reports of baseball games filling the area, something that becomes almost like a character in this film. For something like that, I am impressed.

As a hole, this film is beyond impressive and one of the few film I encourage you to hunt out and see. Watching this film will be unlike any experience you would of ever had.