Review of Bad Lieutenant (1992) by Luke H — 29 May 2009

Revisited this sucker the other night in anticipation of the inriguing Herzog/Cage update of the story this time in New Orleans. Am hopeful they maintain the spirit and refuse to flinch like Ferrara and Keitel do in this film but find it near impossible to beleive that nic cage will go to the same lengths in his portrayal.

The best feature of this film is how it is quite possible that such a creature could exist unchecked in a town like New York. Keitel doesn't answer to anyone having reached a carte blanche nihilistic state that is as intoxicating and commanding of attention as it is reprehensible.

Only the ultimate act of forgiveness can turn this beast back from the darkness just to wave and give the finger to heaven before going straight to hell. Brilliant. I would recommend Man Bites Dog and Pusher as compelling follow ups to this.