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Director: Werner Herzog
Screenwriter: William Finkelstein
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Xzibit, Fairuza Balk, Brad Dourif
Synopsis
In post-Katrina New Orleans, Terence McDonough (Cage) who is a drug/gambling-addled detective investigates the killing of five Senegalese immigrants.
Review
As someone who watches cult films, I recently got to see Abel Ferrara’s classic cop drama Bad Lieutenant starring Harvey “Mr White” Keitel in a career-best performance. Despite the film following a corrupt New York cop going on a rampage, it has a surprisingly religious theme as the bad lieutenant tries to find redemption as a catholic by finding the men who raped a nun. It may be an uncomfortable watch but it’s a powerful piece that has more under its skin than carnage.
When I first heard about this remake being in the hands of Werner Herzog (who was the helmer of the brilliant remake of Nosferatu), it was a real surprise and one of low expectations. Even Abel Ferrara felt utterly insulted about this “reimagining”, which is what Herzog insists it is as he is not seen the original. While Ferrara’s film was about the burden of guilt, Herzog’s interpretation is about the bliss of evil.
Whilst there are scenes that somewhat echoes the original such as the protagonist taking sexual favours as bribes, as well as succumbing to his drug addiction, what William Finkelstein’s script shows that this is something approaching black comedy, which makes this Bad Lieutenant a more enjoyable experience. Also, with Finkelstein’s screenplay (who had been involved in police dramas like Law & Order and NYPD Blue), this film is more focused on the primary case than the original in terms of the involvement of both the police and drug dealers.
As I’ve said before it is unusual that Herzog is directing this as the film isn’t one about the conflict with nature or heroes achieving their impossible dreams. However, there are many moments that remind that he is the poetic visionary we know and love. Scenes involving the POVs of alligators and iguanas, also a quiet conversation in which Terence talks about his secret hiding place when he was a child and finally a beautifully haunting score by Mark Isham.
While there isn’t enough of that Herzog imaginary which I want more of, and a direction that is similar to the style of Ferrara, the German director’s take reminds you that this does not have the brilliance of works like Aguirre, the Wrath of God, nor does it have the thematic power of the source it’s based upon.
Recently, we saw Nicolas Cage returning to his signature crazy acting in the kick-ass Kick-Ass, in which he played a guy who likes Batman and speaks like Adam West. However, Cage in this insane role makes you remember his early roles which were flat-out crazy, but also as an actor who is as good as Herzog’s late muse Klaus Kinski who was considered a renegade.
As for supporting players, Eva Mendes doesn’t bring an aspect which we’ve seen from her before but has nice screen time with her lead co-star while the second-worst Batman Val Kilmer seems to come and go, which is what he‘s best at. Finally, would someone mind telling me why Fairuza Balk looks so hot in a police uniform with cowboy boots?
Verdict
While it always a pleasure to watch a new film by Werner Herzog, this clearly isn’t up there with his most important work but he directs this Bad Lieutenant with a lot of panache while Nicolas Cage is having the time of his life.
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Printable Version
Bad Lieutenant - 
Fear and Loathing in New Orleans - 
RE: A GOOD FILM BUT NOT A GREAT ONE...... - 
It was just ...... good and that's about the most praise I can give it. 
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