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Bad Lieutenant (1992)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
20 November 1992 (USA)
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Tagline:
Gambler. Thief. Junkie. Killer. Cop.
Plot:
While investigating a young nun's rape, a corrupt New York City police detective, with a serious drug and gambling addiction, tries to change his ways and find forgiveness. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
2 wins
&
3 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(217 articles)
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans - We speak to Nicolas Cage and Werner Herzog.
(From Movie Jungle. 23 November 2009, 5:25 AM, PST)
Box Office Beat Down: The Twilight Saga: New Moon Earns $140 Million
(From MovieWeb. 22 November 2009, 6:02 PM, PST)
(From Movie Jungle. 23 November 2009, 5:25 AM, PST)
Box Office Beat Down: The Twilight Saga: New Moon Earns $140 Million
(From MovieWeb. 22 November 2009, 6:02 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Relentlessly depressing, sleazy study of a morally bankrupt cop...
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Harvey Keitel | ... | The Lieutenant | |
| Victor Argo | ... | Beat Cop | |
| Paul Calderon | ... | Cop #1 (as Paul Calderone) | |
| Leonard L. Thomas | ... | Cop #2 (as Leonard Thomas) | |
| Robin Burrows | ... | Ariane | |
| Frankie Thorn | ... | The Nun | |
| Victoria Bastel | ... | Bowtay | |
| Paul Hipp | ... | Jesus | |
| Brian McElroy | ... | Lieutenant's Son (#1) | |
| Frankie Acciarito | ... | Lieutenant's Son (#2) | |
| Peggy Gormley | ... | Lieutenant's Wife | |
| Stella Keitel | ... | Lieutenant's Daughter | |
| Dana Dee | ... | Lieutenant's Baby Girl | |
| Anthony Ruggiero | ... | Lite | |
| Vincent Laresca | ... | J.C. |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated NC-17 for sexual violence, strong sexual situations & dialogue, graphic drug use.; Rated R for drug use, language, violence and nudity. (edited version)
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
96 min | 91 min (R-rated version)
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Italy:VM14 (cut) |
Italy:VM18 |
Ireland:18 (IFCO) |
Finland:K-16 (heavily cut) (1994) |
South Korea:18 |
France:-16 |
Japan:R-18 |
USA:TV-MA (cable rating) |
Finland:K-18 (uncut) (1993) |
Canada:18+ (Quebec) |
Hungary:16 |
Denmark:16 |
Argentina:18 |
Australia:R |
Canada:R |
Germany:16 |
New Zealand:R18 |
Norway:18 |
Spain:18 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:18 |
USA:NC-17 |
USA:R (cut) |
Canada:16+ (Quebec) (cut) |
Iceland:16
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The lead role was originally earmarked for Christopher Walken.
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Goofs:
Continuity: At the end when the Lieutenant enters the bus terminal he leaves his car behind the street sign, however when he returns the car has moved forward.
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Quotes:
Zoe:
Vampires are lucky, they can feed on others. We gotta eat away at ourselves. We gotta eat our legs to get the energy to walk. We gotta come, so we can go. We gotta suck ourselves off. We gotta eat away at ourselves til there's nothing left but appetite. We give, and give and give crazy. Cause a gift that makes sense ain't worth it. Jesus said seventy times seven. No one will ever understand why, why you did it. They'll just forget about you tomorrow, but you gotta do it.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Creeps (1997)
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Soundtrack:
THE BAD LIEUTENANT
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FAQ
What are the differences between the R-rated version and the NC-17 version?more
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If there is at least one thing to admire in BAD LIEUTENANT, it's Harvey Keitel's method performance as the corrupt cop without a moral compass who goes through the film indifferent to everyone but himself, getting high whenever he's in the need of a fix, intimidating anyone under his charge--including teen-age girls in the film's most exploitational scene--and upset through the entire film over the rape of a nun who has forgiven her attackers.
Keitel throws himself completely into the role, gnashing his teeth and clenching his jaw effectively whenever stirred to emote, crying like a wounded animal when he feels no justice in a world where injustices are free to roam. He's quite an intense actor and always seems to be cast in these kind of roles that show the underbelly of human beings, usually in stories of the kind that Martin Scorsese likes to tell about corrupt cops. Unfortunately, any director needs a good script.
Well, Abel Ferrara is no Scorsese. He's made a cheap looking exploitation film about a sleazy subject and seems to think that the more gross it is, the more gritty he makes it look, and the shakier the hand held camera is at catching grimy glimpses of New York streets, the better it will be appreciated by fans of this kind of schlock.
Summing up: He's a bad lieutenant in a bad film. Too bad Keitel can't find a film worthier of his talents. All he needs is a good script.