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 and redemption.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 and redemption.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 and redemption.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 5 nominations
- LT's Son (#2)
- (as Frankie Acciarito)
- Cop One
- (as Paul Calderone)
- Cop Two
- (as Leonard Thomas)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaLike many indie-minded directors of low-budget films, Abel Ferrara didn't bother with permits most of the time. "We weren't permitted on any of this stuff", editor Anthony Redman admitted. "We just walked in and started shooting." For the scene in which the strung-out lieutenant walks through a nightclub, they sent Harvey Keitel through an actual club.
- GoofsWhen the lieutenant stops the car with the two rapists inside, a passerby seen through the driver side window points at the car and can be heard saying "They got a camera."
- Quotes
Zoe: Vampires are lucky, they can feed on others. We gotta eat away at ourselves. We gotta eat our legs to get the energy to walk. We gotta come, so we can go. We gotta suck ourselves off. We gotta eat away at ourselves til there's nothing left but appetite. We give, and give and give crazy. Cause a gift that makes sense ain't worth it. Jesus said seventy times seven. No one will ever understand why, why you did it. They'll just forget about you tomorrow, but you gotta do it.
- Crazy creditsThe "Jersey Girls" character credits are reversed. The actress who plays the driver, Bianca Hunter, is listed as the passenger, and Eddie Daniels, who appears as the passenger, is listed as the driver.
- Alternate versionsThe original US NC-17 VHS version that was available for rent is completely uncut. As it was produced before the Led Zeppelin legal action, it included all usage of the Schoolly D track "Signifying Rapper."
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: Sister Act/Encino Man/Alien³/Far and Away (1992)
- SoundtracksPledging My Love
Written by Don D. Robey (as Robey) / Fats Washington (as Washington)
(P) 1954 Music Corporation of America, Inc.
Performed by Johnny Ace
Used by permission of MCA Records, Inc.
"Bad Lieutenant" is an impressive character study, and though it occasionally gets meandering and repetitive and seems to be missing something (which I might be able to identify on a second viewing), it's a moving story with terrific acting. I wasn't too thrilled with the other Ferrara pieces I've seen, "King of New York" and "The Funeral," but I was younger and I think I just had trouble understanding the subtle messages he delivers in his films. Of course, he specializes in gritty urban dramas like this, being a Bronx native what do you expect, so something like "Bad Lieutenant" naturally wouldn't appeal to general audiences. It's unpleasant, though somewhat humorous, but life can be the same way. You can't spend your whole life watching "The Wizard of Oz." Every once in a while, you have to take a break and watch graphic character studies like this and learn a little something. After seeing this movie, I'm curious about checking out some more of Ferrara's work, because I know he has talent.
I can tell this a movie I will have to watch again, because it's not easily understood the first time around, but I'm sure there's hidden messages that just flew over my head. I still think the film could've had more substance, but it's still an impressive work.
My score: 7 (out of 10)
- mattymatt4ever
- May 8, 2001
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Cảnh Sát Phạm Tội
- Filming locations
- 1911 Hone Avenue, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA(St. Clare of Assisi School)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $1,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,000,022
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $47,454
- Nov 22, 1992
- Gross worldwide
- $2,038,916
- Runtime1 hour 36 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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