When the project was first revealed at Cannes it was almost evident of what a disappointment the film could be. The film’s trailer promised the story of a good cop gone bad, caught up in drugs and greed. Both of these assumptions were fulfilled in what seemed to be an effortless plot filled with classic cliches, simple character structure and an ultimately predictable storyline.
“The Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call – New Orleans” is the story of Terence McDonagh (Nicolas Cage), an average police officer protecting the post Hurricane Katrina ruins known as New Orleans. The film begins with McDonagh suffering a back injury that will leave him in pain for the rest of his life — so he is given a prescription for painkillers. The plot quickly unfolds with little finesse, as we indulge in a murder — an entire immigrant family is killed over drug territory — and an obviously cocaine-addicted Cage as the lead investigator. Throughout the film McDonagh struggles with juggling work and his addiction.
Cage’s character is not only depicted as a drug addict but an overall shady person, as he’s involved with prostitution, illegal shakedowns of drugs for his own personal use and renegade gambling. McDonagh’s problems with money due to his lifestyle is what drives the film. The film is primarily based on the greed of Cage’s character — he stays focused on the investigation but gains money and drugs in the process.
McDonagh’s stature as a respectable officer begins to plummet as his addiction takes control of him. Soon he is using not only cocaine and Vicodan but also heroin and crack. His selfish actions are only lifted for his high-class prostitute of a girlfriend Frankie Donnenfeld (Eva Mendez). Frame by frame the viewer can witness Cage’s character decrease in sanity. Strung out from cocaine and other substances, McDonagh suffers from tremors, involuntary twitches and an edgy attitude that is, without warning, exacerbated by the smallest changes.
Although not terrible, Cage’s performance as a renegade drug-addicted police officer is a typical one. Cage is just a famous face to fill this role that could have been executed by nearly any actor. Val Kilmer’s talent is also completely under utilized. He recites lines and adds star power to the film but never creates a memorable onscreen presence.
The end of the film has very little validity compared to the rest. In fact, it seems as if the conclusion to the shaky plot was delivered far before the actual ending credits. “Bad Lieutenant” is all that is wrong with Hollywood. It is a promenade of attractive but ill-intent topics that spiral the film into ridiculous waters. Although the underlying content of the film could possibly inspire, it’s delivery is weak.
Werner Herzog’s “Bad Lieutenant” is an over indulgent film in need of trimming. In some instances Cage’s performance makes the film convincing, but is not powerful enough to carry the film through it’s unnecessarily long runtime.