Bad Lieutenant

Name: Bad Lieutenant
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: November 20, 1992
Duration: 96 min
Rating: 70
Cast: Harvey Keitel

1992

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 40 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 40 Ratings

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Bad Lieutenant

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Movie Details & Credits

Aries Films | Release Date: November 20, 1992 | NC-17

Starring: Harvey Keitel

Summary: A New York cop (Keitel) is hopelessy addicted to drugs, gambling, and sex, in this intense, hallucinatory portrait of sin and redemption. The film follows the lieutenant as he makes his way to various crime scenes, concerned only with taking bets from his fellow cops on the outcome of the ongoing National League playoffs. An investigationA New York cop (Keitel) is hopelessy addicted to drugs, gambling, and sex, in this intense, hallucinatory portrait of sin and redemption. The film follows the lieutenant as he makes his way to various crime scenes, concerned only with taking bets from his fellow cops on the outcome of the ongoing National League playoffs. An investigation into the rape of a nun leads to his spiritual breakdown at the church crime scene, where he sees Jesus and the road to his salvation.… Expand

Director: Abel Ferrara

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: NC-17

Runtime: 96 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

It is not a "dirty movie," and in fact takes spirituality and morality more seriously than most films do. And in the bad lieutenant, Keitel has given us one of the great screen performances in recent years. Read full review

100

Jeremiah Kipp

It is boldly NC-17, but unlike most exploitation cinema, Ferrara can’t seem to help himself from making the film a personal, frightened psychic diary, a pitiful shriek for help, and a powerful statement about how even the damned can achieve a moment of fleeting grace. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Abel Ferrara's uncompromising Bad Lieutenant is a harrowing journey observing a corrupt NY cop sink into the depths, with an extraordinary and uninhibited performance by Harvey Keitel in the title role. Read full review

Rick Groen

Pick your cliche - searing, rivetting, haunting - Keitel delivers a performance to rival Brando's in "Last Tango In Paris." Read full review

Staff (Non Credited)

Harvey Keitel gives an astonishing performance here... Though hardly a film for all sensibilities, Bad Lieutenant has the courage of its own convictions, and follows them to the bitter end. Read full review

Elvis Mitchell

Mr. Ferrara has his saving graces, too, the chief one being raw talent, which he continues to display while telling even the most far-fetched story. Read full review

Michael Sragow

Yes, you get to see Harvey Keitel's penis; the only surprise is that Jesus keeps His under wraps. Read full review

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User Reviews

JoshC

Jan 16, 2007

A hardcore scuzzmeister elevates himself to a new place with this startling, powerfully restrained portrayal of sin and salvation in godless NY. Keitel's inarticulate maudit philosopher is the most uninhabited performance in this disco inferno that also offers relgious hallucinations. A hardcore scuzzmeister elevates himself to a new place with this startling, powerfully restrained portrayal of sin and salvation in godless NY. Keitel's inarticulate maudit philosopher is the most uninhabited performance in this disco inferno that also offers relgious hallucinations. As sordid as the material is, the movie isn't oppressive.… Expand

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Deanomite

Feb 4, 2020

The photography is very good, camera work too. Considered the best performance of Harvey Keitel (The Duellists) and last real performance of Zoe Lund (Ms .45). "Vampires are lucky, they get to eat away at others, we have to feed on ourselves."

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