Harvey Keitel's portrayal of a corrupt cop and his retribution in the end deserved so much attention,that it never got. The scene in church where Keitel witnesses Jesus is pinnacle of his acting in my opinion.
One of the best, most authentic films ever shot. No quick pans, no weird angles. The director puts the camera on the action and stays there - he wants us to see it - not imagine it. Best acting Oscar should have gone to Harvey for this one especially since he improvised most of the movie. After you watch this you realize how fake most movies are, not simply the drug use but everything. Most movies are way too "artsy". The director is always trying to prove something instead of letting the actors and the scene do the talking. Straight ahead - put the subject in the middle of the screen and let the audiece "feel" the scene. If you feel dirty, sad and exhausted after seeing this movie - you got it. Think of how few movies make you feel anything these days and then realize - this movie is 10 out of 10.
Once in awhile, a great actor puts on a performance that actually make you feel the pain the character is going through. You do not go away from that movie feeling good
It is definetly his best performance, I don't know if it is the best movie he ever was in, that'd be Taxi Driver for me. Still one of his best movies, for sure.
I admire your film commentaries, but I think you were stingy with the rating you gave *Bad Lieutenant.* I recently re-watched this film after having previously viewed it on its first release. I think it has aged really well, and I think it's a shame that it has largely disappeared from the consciousness of most film buffs. *Bad Lieutenant* is admittedly unsettling, but everything about it is authentic and heartfelt. The main people involved in this production (Ferrara, Keitel, Calderon, and Lund) seem to have made it as a form of catharsis. All of them were intimately familiar with the sorts of degradation depicted on screen; based on the interviews they gave, it's clear they were also genuinely obsessed with the themes of forgiveness and redemption. Despite the fact that it involves zero physical contact, the scene in front of the car is one of the most disturbing moments in cinematic history. It's squirm-inducing precisely because it's so brutally honest. Keitel summoned up some ghastly personal demons as the camera rolled, and the result was a scene that perfectly encapsulates the selfish side of human sexuality. Sin is exposed in all its foulness, just as it was by Dante in his *Inferno.* Watching *Bad Lieutenant* is like watching a Scorsese film in a parallel universe in which Scorsese had allowed himself to go to seed, but in which he still retained all of his Catholic obsessions and every ounce of his talent. Such a film may not be everyone's idea of a good time, but I find it riveting.
Have you seen Filth (2013)? Its main character is also a degenerate cop, probably worse than Keitel's. I'd recommend it if you want a more darkly comedic take on this kind of story. I personally prefer it over Bad Lieutenant and James MaCavoy's performance was incredible.
Keep the HK love coming. Get ahold of City of Industry as soon as you can; it's even better. Thanks, man. PS: YOUTH features a softer and fuzzier HK and is also great.
6:01 What is 'not completely fallen off the edge'?if he wasn't doesn't that mean those boys who rape also didn't completely fallen and still have chance for redemption?
Interesting, I thought this movie was bad. Probably on purpose, but still. Keitel just goes around being immoral for a long time, cries a bit then dies. I didn't feel anything for him really
Hilariously reviewed. And that's a compliment. I've seen a lot of stronged out crack addicts. How they move and behave. It's almost as if keitel was really high on crack. It gave the shivers. If he acted this without using substances it is a masterful performance.
