Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans Review

My rating
The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans is an amazing movie. The film reaches new levels of “Holly Crap!” and makes no apologies for itself. This movie is as raw as I’ve ever seen. Fans of movies like Traffic and Training Day will find it an exhilarating ride making those two other movies look like a Romper Room episodes.

The energy of it is overwhelming! There are times you watch this man behave in such destructive behavior and you feel so bad for him, but then he goes way beyond the realms of reasonable that it becomes more and more difficult to tolerate. You want to believe that he is trying to do good. You want to believe that deep inside he’s just trying to do right by the victims, but is he? Maybe he is, maybe he isn’t or maybe things just get out of hand. I think the man is a good man who has some SERIOUS problems and his problems just get worse by the minute.

Nicolas Cage gives an impressive performance. From the moment he hits the screen he gives off essence of awesome. His performance was worthy of an Oscar nomination. I sit here in awe wondering why they passed him by. Was he even considered? He played this part perfectly and I should know. I have back problems so I watched him very closely since he was playing the part of a man with the condition. His acting couldn’t have been better. I felt his pain; I saw pain and discomfort in his eyes and on his face. I wouldn’t be surprised if for preparing for this role he had a buddy whack him in the back with a 2X4, because he nailed the walk, the movements, the grimace, everything.

This is a must see film. Don’t think about the 1992 movie of the same name. This movie has nothing to do with that film. It isn’t a remake and it isn’t a sequel. It is its own entity and it is pretty darn impressive. I love how the film builds tension like a rope being twisted slowly and then how it all unravels at the end. The overall package is as close to perfection as you can get. This is an astounding film. Watch it!