Bad Lieutenant: Nicolas Cage is Nuts!
Posted: Tuesday, September 28, 2010
by Brombergs 2 Cents
Do you like Nicolas Cage? If so, then this is a must-see film.
When it comes to Cage as an actor, I am indifferent. I like him, but am not in love with him. He has been in some good movies, and, like most actors, been in quite a few stinkers. The role he plays in this film, a crooked police officer, is one of his best. Why?
I believe it is really hard to play a bad guy well. I believe it is hard to play drug addiction well. Cage presents one of the most realistic portrayals of drug addiction I have seen in a long while. Why is drug addiction entertaining? Cage's character is CRAZY and intense.
There is something fun about watching an actor go nuts with his work.
Bad Lieutenant is directed by well-known German filmmaker Werner Herzog.
Here is a man that likely had a great deal of fun orchestrating this
picture. There are times when we see Cage trip out because of the drugs
he is on, and the way his visions are presented is weirdly funny,
creative, and unique. There are also a couple of well shot scenes where we see Cage from his point of view in his car as he is about to engage in some "bad cop" behavior.
Cage's character suffers an injury early in the film, and is
prescribed painkillers. The painkillers turned into bigger painkillers,
the illegal kind. When you are in law enforcement, ironically, the line
of legality can often get blurred.
Eva Mendes plays his girlfriend, a prostitute. Val Kilmer plays another cop who, while not on drugs, is also not the most ethical of people.
Three reasons why you should see this film and one reason why you should not:
1) If you have ever done cocaine before, this movie probably brings
back some memories. If you are thinking about doing cocaine in the
future, this film may make you pick a different drug, or inspire you to
stay clean! If you have never done drugs and never plan to, then
watching Cage is an educational experience… you BELIEVE he is coked out
of his mind.
2) The story is actually not that bad. Things get really messy for
Cage and you see a man get into a really dark place in life. I thought
this was going to end one way, but, much to my delight, it ended a
different way. Just how things can hit rock bottom in a day or two,
things can also let up in just a day or two. We see Cage go through
some extremes and we never know exactly how things will go for him.
3) I love a good performance, and Cage gives it everything he has. I
feel like Herzog would shoot a scene and then he would yell at Cage
something like, "Nick, you have to be MORE insane! Show me more
intensity and do not hold anything back!" Then Cage says, "You got it."
This movie is not for everyone and it is, as you would expect, very
R rated. I feel like they should show scenes from this movie at drug
rehab clinics as part of the treatment. Addicts might watch it and say,
"wow, I don't want to end up like that guy."
We all know there are some bad cops out there, and hopefully, not
this bad. It is interesting to see a case like this play out… in which
drugs and addiction (like gambling) can lead to all kinds of hell.
Aside from an interesting story, and some unique imagery, the acting
makes the movie.
Want some insane acting? So crazy it is absorbing and intriguing?
Then check this one out. Oh, and the trippy scenes (small and minor
part of the film) are awesome, in a quirky, subtle way. Like I said, so
weird, it is funny. 3 stars out of 4.
Acting: 10 (It's all Nicolas Cage)
Cinematography: 7 (good)
Story: 6 (not bad)
Since I am not a huge fan of his, I'll pass on this one. The story line in conjunction with the actor would not make for kudos from me. Thanks for the review!Indeed. I'm sure you aren't the only one! Always good to hear from you though... Thanks for stopping by Grace!Always enjoy your reviews!
I'm not crazy about Nicholas Cage, but I've loved some of the roles he's played. I can imagine him being intense and absolutely nuts. Somehow I've got a feeling that that's who he really is! This film sounds interesting, especially given that it doesn't end badly!See, in a movie such as this, I was expecting things to get worse and worse--until the main character dies and then we see the credits. That isn't what happened and for that reason, I found it refreshing and more interesting. If you go into this movie with the mindset: Ok, let's see Nicolas Cage as a dirty cop coked out of his mind, which itself would likely be absorbing and entertaining... then you'll probably enjoy the experience. I think it was funny because there are times when I bet the other actors in the scene are thinking... he's only acting, right? He's not gonna hurt us, is he? Thanks, as always, for the great comment! -Bromberg
Your reviews are very helpful and not excessive in praise or criticism. I too think Nick is powerful. His choices are sometimes strange, but when you have hundreds of millions, you can do what you want. He likes to be "off the wall".I agree. Don't you love it when A-list stars (or even B-list) say they just took a part for the money? --like they were really hurting financially, you know? Cage is definitely off-the-wall which I argue is the main selling point of this film. Thank you so much for the comment Christofer!
Hi B2C.
I'm a fan of Nicholas Cage, but I think I will skip this one. I generally don't go for gritty realism in my entertainment. There is enough of that in real life. That's just my perspective. Some folks, I know, really enjoy seeing that sort of stuff played out. But I don't.
Thanks for a really great review, though. Now I know not to bother with it just because it has Cage in it.
Hugs,
DianneYes "gritty realism" would certainly be one way to describe a film like this. What do you generally prefer in your entertainment, Dianne?Fantasy. Pure and simple. But I don't necessarily mean swords and sorcery, although it can be fun. I like science fiction and super hero movies. I loved Cage in "Next" and "Ghost Rider." I've still got to get my hands on "Knowing." I'm an "escapist," I admit it.Good to know. Did you like the Ironman movies? The 2nd one recently came out on dvd, if you missed it at the theaters. I've heard there will be another batman film, if it is anything like the last two, I imagine it will be a good one to look forward to. :-)Just recently bought the second Ironman. Loved them both! Hadn't heard there would be another Batman. That's good news. I loved the first ones for their campiness and the nod to the television series (which I also followed faithfully) and I like the newer ones because they are so over the top crazy with great FX. Oh, and I love Avatar. Bought it when it came out and have watched it a bunch of times. We don't go to theaters much because all the chemicals and fragrances from other attendees and what's lodged in the seating makes me sort of sick. I'm sooo grateful for DVDs.
We have a friend who is a complete film buff. You and he might have some lively conversations if you ever got together. He lives in Alhambra, CA.
