Trailer

Bad Lieutenant (1992)

NC-17   |    |  Crime, Drama, Thriller

Bad Lieutenant (1992) Poster

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 and redemption.

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7.1/10
34,580
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70 Metascore

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  • Harvey Keitel in Bad Lieutenant (1992)
  • Bad Lieutenant (1992)
  • Harvey Keitel in Bad Lieutenant (1992)
  • Bad Lieutenant (1992)
  • Harvey Keitel and Frankie Thorn in Bad Lieutenant (1992)
  • Bad Lieutenant (1992)

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Awards

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
2 June 2012 | claudio_carvalho
8
| Addiction, Corruption, Forgiveness and Redemption
In New York, a corrupt and abusive NYPD Lieutenant (Harvey Keitel) is addicted in drugs and gambling and has a great debt with a shark. He takes advantage of his authority to make deals with drug dealers and criminals to get drugs and dirty money and his bookmaker advises him that he owes money to dangerous people. When a nun is brutally raped by two youngsters, the Lieutenant chases the criminals but the nun tells him that she had forgiven the punks. The Lieutenant is affected by her religious principles and asks Jesus to help him.

"Bad Lieutenant" is one of my favorite films by Abel Ferrara with a great story of addiction, corruption, forgiveness and redemption. Last time I had seen this film was on 27 September 2000 and after seeing once again, I realize that "Bad Lieutenant" is a timeless movie that has not aged. Harvey Keitel has one of the best performances of his successful career in the role of a dirty cop that finds redemption in the end. Unfortunately this film is only available on VHS in Brazil. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Vício Frenético" "Frantic Addiction")

Note: On 21 February 2017, I saw this film again.

Metacritic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song, "Pledging My Love" by Johnny Ace, is in this movie, starring Harvey Keitel. This song is also in Mean Streets (1973), also starring Keitel.

Quotes

The Nun: I have forgiven them.
The Lieutenant: But do you have the right? You're not the only woman in the world. You're not even the only nun. Your forgiveness will leave blood in its wake. What if these guys do something like this again? To other women, other virgins? Old...

Goofs

When the Lieutenant stops the Jersey girls he is talking to them through the open driver's side window. When the camera angle changes it is clear the window is rolled up.

Alternate Versions

The theatrical version featured a rap song (Schoolly D's 'Signifying Rapper') based on a riff from Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" without permission. Subsequent video releases omit the song from the soundtrack.

Soundtracks

WE DID IT BEFORE, WE'LL DO IT AGAIN
Written by Cliff Friend (as C. Friend) and Charles Tobias
Published by Warner Bros. Inc & Tobias
Performed by Peter Yellen & Greg Hollister

Storyline

Plot Summary

Synopsis (WARNING: Spoilers)

Genres

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Details

Release Date:

17 December 1992

Language

English, Spanish

Country of Origin

USA

Filming Locations

1911 Hone Ave Bronx NY 10461

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$47,454 (USA) (22 November 1992)

Gross:

$2,000,022 (USA)

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