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

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 50 Ratings

See All

7.0

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.0	Your Score
7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 50 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Bad Lieutenant

Now Playing: Bad Lieutenant

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

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

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

TV Guide Magazine 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

Janet Maslin

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

SEE ALL 19 REVIEWS

Write a Review

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

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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."

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Feb 12, 2022

Another so-called classic film that may have seen its reputation over-inflated by the years, but which I can say was entertaining nonetheless.

The film itself doesn't have much to offer in the way of a narrative, but the downward spiral of Harvey Keitel's character and his committedAnother so-called classic film that may have seen its reputation over-inflated by the years, but which I can say was entertaining nonetheless.

The film itself doesn't have much to offer in the way of a narrative, but the downward spiral of Harvey Keitel's character and his committed performance manage to make this tale rise above the ordinary.

Mind you, I didn't find this film to be anything special.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Broyax

May 16, 2021

C’est l’histoire d’un flic pourri, alcoolique et camé (à tout ce qui peut se sniffer et s’injecter se fumer ou s’avaler) un flic indigne et dépressif, joueur compulsif qui s’endette sur des paris foireux qu’il perd à chaque fois : son bookmaker n’est pas content, ni le mafieux au-dessus deC’est l’histoire d’un flic pourri, alcoolique et camé (à tout ce qui peut se sniffer et s’injecter se fumer ou s’avaler) un flic indigne et dépressif, joueur compulsif qui s’endette sur des paris foireux qu’il perd à chaque fois : son bookmaker n’est pas content, ni le mafieux au-dessus de lui d’ailleurs. Mais ce crevard de flicard, il s’en fout de tout…

Le voici de temps à autre sujet à quelques pleurnicheries mystiques au bord du désespoir comme s’il cherchait une rédemption impossible à atteindre entre deux cuites et trois rails de coke ! Avec tout ça, on se demande comment il peut ou pourrait faire encore son boulot correctement vu qu’il vole des preuves (de la came des dealers…) pour payer ses paris… et sa propre came !

La réponse est que le gars ne branle rien (encore que… putain de voyeur !) et qu’il est perpétuellement défoncé. Et à part ça, me direz-vous ? eh bien pas grand-chose ou presque rien, car il n’y a pas d’histoire là-dedans… et quasiment pas de scénario. Harvey Keitel porte en tout cas le film à bout de bras et campe une épave assez incroyable…

D’ailleurs, on en rigole de temps en temps, car tous ces excès versent allègrement dans la caricature… qu’on devine involontaire. Mais à force d’en rajouter, Abel Ferrara sous couvert d’un pseudo-réalisme et d’une mise en scène à la limite du documentaire sombre précisément et régulièrement dans la caricature souvent grossière.

Ce n’est plus le flic qui descend aux enfers mais simplement… un gros dégueulasse à côté de ses pompes ! Un film un peu vain donc, plutôt répétitif et qui tourne en rond… et un peu à vide aussi.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 4 REVIEWS