The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans
First Look Pictures | Release Date: November 20, 2009
6.8
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 119 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
71
Mixed:
33
Negative:
15
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
MichaelJMar 25, 2010
Excellent. DO NOT MISS. For yourself, see a movie worth its salt. Maybe the best, certainly the most underrated cinema of 2009. Anyone who doesn't think so, doesn't really like movies, maybe coffee table books are more their thing.
2 of 2 users found this helpful
8
filmfanaticNov 18, 2010
Such a great performance! I love Herzog and Cage, and this movie shows how underrated they both are. Just a really freaking entertaining two hours of cinema. This isn't the kind of movie where the character learns some sort of "life lesson"-Such a great performance! I love Herzog and Cage, and this movie shows how underrated they both are. Just a really freaking entertaining two hours of cinema. This isn't the kind of movie where the character learns some sort of "life lesson"- he's bad through and through. It's amazing that we root for the guy despite the fact that he is such a clearly horrible person. This greatness lies solely in Cage's amazing performance. A warning though: this movie is **** crazy. It can best be described as a mix between A Clockwork Orange and Napoleon Dynamite. If you don't think this combination should ever exist, maybe it's not for you. But, if you want any clue as to what I'm talking about, check this one out. I guarantee you've never seen anything like it.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
cabritaNov 27, 2011
Bad Lieutenant is a movie that you either get and like or dont and hate. I got it. Some may be disapointed by the story and its weirdness. I am interested in its character who nicholas Cage plays marvelously. Not to mention the iguanas.Bad Lieutenant is a movie that you either get and like or dont and hate. I got it. Some may be disapointed by the story and its weirdness. I am interested in its character who nicholas Cage plays marvelously. Not to mention the iguanas. Overall great ride of a film… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
VicM.Mar 18, 2010
Easily Nic Cage's best performance. Werner Herzog is a genius director!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
SusanA.Jan 3, 2010
Full of surprises, very unique, Nicholas Cage is a blast.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
RyanSApr 9, 2010
Watch Nicolas Cage go crazy, use lots of drugs, and do pretty much the opposite of what his job entails in Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
WoodyD.Jan 22, 2010
The film achieved a total critical irony. A critique of - particularly, American film structure, the American way of life, and the banalization of subjectivities; Cage starring a a piece of animated cardboard. Perhaps the first film in whichThe film achieved a total critical irony. A critique of - particularly, American film structure, the American way of life, and the banalization of subjectivities; Cage starring a a piece of animated cardboard. Perhaps the first film in which Cages' lack of ability or even interest in what he is doing has been recognized for what it is and used to the advantage of the film. Considering to whom Cage is a nephew the intersecting of nepotisms both real and fiction is a nice touch.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
EggyG.Jan 28, 2010
This movie already twisted from the start....and gives more and more twist till the end...but surprisingly enjoyable...in twisted kind of way. Nicholas Cage is perfect for this role...sublime performance.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
JamesG.Apr 6, 2010
I've always enjoyed Herzog's films, because he's not afraid to make films he likes and he does not disappoint in this film. Cage is exciting to watch all the way through.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
MjelcajonmjelcajonFeb 16, 2010
This movie looks great, Very entertaining from the trailer. Great cast especially VAL KILMER. I feel that If Robert Downey junior can make a come back then Val can too.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
CesarPApr 11, 2010
This movie was really "G" everytime Nicolas Cage said it was hilariuos. Great performance by Nicolas Cage and he is exciting to watch all the way through and great movie too
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
TylerF.Nov 21, 2009
A plethora of scenes bounce around self-aware; exuding a tremendous amount of humor throughout the feature. Comedic exertion occurs too often to entirely enjoy the two-hour crime film. Apparently you can have too much of a good thing in A plethora of scenes bounce around self-aware; exuding a tremendous amount of humor throughout the feature. Comedic exertion occurs too often to entirely enjoy the two-hour crime film. Apparently you can have too much of a good thing in cinema; who knew it… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
WinstonLNov 20, 2009
Nicolas is on my Oscar-watch.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
JohnB.Nov 20, 2009
Comeback for Nicolas Cage. Definitely a treat. Horrifying, chilling performance from Cage that I did not expect.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
MatthewP.Nov 23, 2009
Nic Cage's best performance ever. He is un-be-lievable. Best movie of the year. Period.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
AliceE.Nov 21, 2009
I'm a huge Nicolas Cage fan, and I'll say right now that this is one of his finest performances. His impulsive acting always hits the target, completing the overall story-line. He is at his best when he gets to go crazy, his I'm a huge Nicolas Cage fan, and I'll say right now that this is one of his finest performances. His impulsive acting always hits the target, completing the overall story-line. He is at his best when he gets to go crazy, his earlier work "Vampire's Kiss" being tribute to this highly specialized skill that dominates Bad Lieutenant. The cast choice in league with the characters' performances really made it stand out. Eva Mendes and Cage had good chemistry together in "Ghost Rider" and it comes across again in the film.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
GLNov 25, 2009
Fantastic.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
TomR.Dec 24, 2009
This is messed up in every right way it can be. To call it unpredictable is to falsely suggest it's in the realm of linearity; instead, it's a portrait of the end of things as the beginning of the end of things, repeat as needed. This is messed up in every right way it can be. To call it unpredictable is to falsely suggest it's in the realm of linearity; instead, it's a portrait of the end of things as the beginning of the end of things, repeat as needed. Cage doesn't so much deserve an award as he deserves a year off from critical reaction to his work. And clearly, Herzog never left the building. F---ing champs.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
thelordoffilmAug 13, 2010
have never seen a Werner Herzog film and to tell you the truth I have never heard of him. After seeing Bad Lieutenant Iâ
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
A_NorthernerAug 11, 2012
To say Nicolas Cage is not my favourite actor would be an understatement. That said films like Con Air are a guilty pleasure of mine. Cage stars in Werner Herzog's 2009 film Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans. I haven't seen the 1992To say Nicolas Cage is not my favourite actor would be an understatement. That said films like Con Air are a guilty pleasure of mine. Cage stars in Werner Herzog's 2009 film Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans. I haven't seen the 1992 film of the same name so I'm coming at this film from an original standpoint.

Cage is Terrence McDonaugh, a lieutenant in the New Orleans police department with an ailing back, earned saving a prisoner during the Katrina floods, that has lead to a growing drug and gambling addiction. The story revolves around a murder investigation, however, the police work is only ever a long second to McDonaugh's spiral out of control. To say the wheels fall off as the story progresses would suggest they were even on in the first place. Cage is fantastic as the reckless, dishevelled, bug-eyed and hunched over addict on the slope to despair. It is definitely by favourite performance by the guy.

Beating David Simon's Treme to the punch, post-Katrina New Orleans is an apt setting for the lawlessness and desperate nature of the film's main character.

Although McDonaugh is certainly a bad lieutenant, snorting coke in front of a teenage witness and pulling the oxygen tube out of an elderly lady's nose while interrogating and verbally abusing her, most of his meltdowns and law-breaking come in pursuit of the drugs he needs and his police work remains largely on point.

The film is maniacally amusing as McDonuagh loses control and coupled with Herzog's abstract direction and William Finkelstein's script, it almost becomes a black comedy. The stand out scene in Bad Lieutenant involves the camera cutting to two iguanas on a table (the iguanas being a hallucination of McDonaughs) where the camera stays watching McDonaugh (who stares back) and his team on a stakeout from the iguana point of view for over a minute with nothing but music playing. Surreal indeed.

The supporting cast is strong and includes Eva Mendes, Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire), Val Kilmer and X-Zibit but there is only one bad lieutenant.

An excellent film featuring a great performance from Nicholas Cage.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
SoakerCityNov 12, 2019
This a an underrated masterpiece. Its comparable to Joker. Almost as dark, much funnier, and also very well acted. Nicholas Cage can do whatever the heck he wants, he keeps on nailing every third or fifth role with Oscar worthy acting. ItsThis a an underrated masterpiece. Its comparable to Joker. Almost as dark, much funnier, and also very well acted. Nicholas Cage can do whatever the heck he wants, he keeps on nailing every third or fifth role with Oscar worthy acting. Its also got Eva Mendes, and Fairuza Balk to perfectly balance the sexy sleaze.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
DeanomiteFeb 4, 2020
Much better than the first Bad Lieutenant, Cage gives a very good performance. It reminds me of the Sean Penn quote 'Nick Cage isn't really an actor anymore, he's a performer.' he says an actor puts things on, he wants to take them off.Much better than the first Bad Lieutenant, Cage gives a very good performance. It reminds me of the Sean Penn quote 'Nick Cage isn't really an actor anymore, he's a performer.' he says an actor puts things on, he wants to take them off. Definitely in the top 5 Cage performances. I could not pick a favorite, his roles all change on revisiting, like never seeing the same movie twice.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
OrukayuJan 22, 2023
2009 detective movie. The film of Nicolas Cage, who I was once a big fan of, with his superb acting, which I admire. A police officer jumps into the water from a high place to save a prisoner in a cell during a flood, and his back is injured.2009 detective movie. The film of Nicolas Cage, who I was once a big fan of, with his superb acting, which I admire. A police officer jumps into the water from a high place to save a prisoner in a cell during a flood, and his back is injured. He starts using drugs to relieve pain. Over time, drugs, gambling, theft, fraud, match-fixing are involved in every event. Throughout the movie, you want to watch Nicolas Cage's head is a million and not sober up. He lives in a half-truth, half-hallucination. There are some pretty funny scenes. He already laughs when he laughs.

There are sexual scenes in the movie, but there is no nudity.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
geewahJan 27, 2021
One of Nic Cage's finest movies in many a year, and role that was made for him.
Violent, darkly funny, and thoroughly entertaining.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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