Bad Lieutenant

Keitel’s magnum opus. A sophisticated perversion, indulging in everything immoral, bad and evil. This confrontation with a religious-flavored case eventually culminates in an ingeniously conceived and, in the overall context, completely useless confession. Sure, it’s disgusting, but in places painfully truthful. (12/30/2010)

Bad Lieutenant is entertaining in the sense of arousing curiosity about what will happen next, but not in the sense of being very enjoyable. Harvey Keitel’s performance is brilliant, but the mess he gets himself into is missing some excitement. Three stars with both eyes closed, perhaps only thanks to the memorable scene with the girls without a driver’s license. (11/13/2017)

The film is shot as a gritty street film, it is somewhat reminiscent of Scorsese's "Taxi Driver". It's as if there is nothing good on the streets, as if filth and disgust truly reign. The connection with religious visions is then strange and somewhat disturbing. It's understandable with Scorsese, but even with Abel Ferrara, who comes from a similar environment and has Italian, primarily Catholic roots. Nevertheless, this doesn't change the fact that the rawness of the streets is in an unnecessary and unpleasant contrast that won't say much to an atheist. However, Harvey Keitel delivers a performance that you will admire and maybe even hate. (11/19/2013)