7.1/10
31,370
178 user 75 critic

Bad Lieutenant (1992)

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.

Director:

Writers:

(as Zoe Lund),
2 wins & 4 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
LT
Brian McElroy ...
Frankie Acciarito ...
...
LT's Wife
...
LT's Daughter
Dana Dee ...
LT's Baby Girl
...
Beat Cop
...
Cop #1 (as Paul Calderone)
...
Cop #2 (as Leonard Thomas)
Anthony Ruggiero ...
Lite
...
JC
Robin Burrows ...
Ariane
Victoria Bastel ...
Bowtay
G. Elvis Phillips ...
Young Cop
Stephen Chen ...
Korean Store Owner

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Storyline

A police Lieutenant goes about his daily tasks of investigating homicides, but is more interested in pursuing his vices. He has accumulated a massive debt betting on baseball, and he keeps doubling to try to recover. His bookies are beginning to get agitated. The Lieutenant does copious amounts of drugs, cavorts with prostitutes, and uses his status to take advantage of teenage girls. While investigating a nun's rape, he begins to reflect on his lifestyle. Written by Ed Sutton <[email protected]>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Gambler. Thief. Junkie. Killer. Cop.

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated NC-17 for sexual violence, strong sexual situations & dialogue, graphic drug use | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

17 December 1992 (Argentina)  »

Also Known As:

Teniente corrupto  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$2,000,022 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (R-rated)

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Zoë Lund, "There was a lot of rewriting done on the set. Two other characters were cut, and my character modulated and took on more and more. A lot of things had to be changed and improvised. The vampire speech - which is crucial to the Lieutenant - was written two minutes before it was shot. I memorized it and did it in one take. The speech is important because she is acute in knowing the journey the Lieutenant makes. She shoots him up, sends him off, knowing of his passion, she lets him go. See more »

Goofs

Just as the lieutenant is leading the boys into the train station near the end of the film, a cab driver (obviously not a paid extra) is seen waving to the camera. See more »

Quotes

Nurse: Can I help you?
The Lieutenant: Yeah, I'm in charge of the investigation. I'm just checking security.
Nurse: Security?
The Lieutenant: Yeah. You wouldn't want those guys coming back, huh? For the nun? Or for you?
See more »

Connections

Features The Fifth-Column Mouse (1943) See more »

Soundtracks

PLEDGING 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.
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Don't expect a nice story, and you won't be disappointed.
28 February 1999 | by (Morrisville, PA) – See all my reviews

Nasty Film, shows the downward spiral of a dirty cop as his drug and gambling addictions take him deeper and deeper into despair. There is no compassion for this man, and indeed, he asks for none. The conclusion to the film is really the only ending that could have been believable, but still no compassion. While this film is not one to watch for entertainment value, it is a good one to watch for plot and character acting value. Don't expect a nice story, and you won't be disappointed.


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