Review of Bad Lieutenant (1992) by Sam C — 30 Jul 2009

I have very mixed feelings about this film; mainly because it didn't really do much for me. Harvey Keitel plays a cop on the edge . . . never seen that before. I feel that all the drug use and sexual acts are mainly thrown in so people view this movie as "fucked up" but I just found it to be very convoluted.

Keitel drives around a lot and swears. He drinks and does drugs and mentally rapes two young girls. It isn't until a nun is raped that his world view starts to change. I'll give the film credit for this: the scene where Keitel is on his knees in the church, crying and begging for forgiveness since he's too weak is extremely powerful and moving. Also, I really liked how the ending played out. No gung-ho, no hold barrel shoot-outs here, instead Keitel finds his own uniquely personal way to offer absolution, since the nun felt the same way.

I don't know. I'm still mixed about this. I know I'll wind up seeing it again once Herzog's remake (?) comes out, so I'll give it a second chance then. Until then, meh.