Bad Lieutenant (1992)

Director:

Abel Ferrara

Writers:

Victor Argo (writer)
Paul Calderon (writer)

Release Date:

20 November 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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.

Plot Keywords:

Nun | Lieutenant | Drugs | Rape | Police

Awards:

2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

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.

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)

Runtime:

96 min | 91 min (R-rated version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

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) | Denmark:16 | Hungary: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:

Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Bad Lt. Productions

Trivia:

Co-writer Zoë Lund plays the women that Harvey Keitel's character does drugs with in her home.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the club, when LT is snorting drugs with the tall guy, the Lords of Acid song "Let's Get High" begins to play (at the middle of the song) right before the scene is cut. Then, in the next scene, LT is in a different part of the club and we hear the same song start playing again, but this time it starts from the very beginning.

Quotes:

The Nun: [about her attackers] 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 women who die from the shock? Do you have the right to forgive them? Can you bear the burden, sister?

Movie Connections:

Features The Fifth-Column Mouse (1943)

Soundtrack:

LET'S GET HIGH

Don't expect a nice story, and you won't be disappointed.

Nasty Film, shows the downward spiral of a dirty cop as his drug and gambling addictions take him deeper and deeper into despair. There is no compassion for this man, and indeed, he asks for none. The conclusion to the film is really the only ending that could have been believable, but still no compassion. While this film is not one to watch for entertainment value, it is a good one to watch for plot and character acting value. Don't expect a nice story, and you won't be disappointed.