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Copernicus Is Arrested By BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS!!
Whores, coke, violence, corrupt pigs... you'd think this is the plot
of a rap song, not the latest Werner Herzog film.
GRAND THEFT AUTO meets LEAVING LAS VEGAS is how TIFF midnight
programmer Colin Geddes described BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW
ORLEANS, and he's dead on. As you might expect from any film directed
by Werner Herzog, and staring Nicolas Cage as an out of control, drug
crazed cop, it's every bit as batshit crazy as you'd expect, in a
good way... maybe even a brilliant way.
Here Nickolas Cage plays Terence McDonagh, a cop in post-Katrina New
Orleans who isn't exactly Officer Friendly. He's got problems, but
he's also good at his job -- he wins an award for heroism, and he's a
workaholic, throwing himself into his work at the expense of a social
life. He's not estranged from his father, but since his dad is a
barely-recovering alcoholic, that relationship has little to offer.
His partner, Val Kilmer, in a small role, is pretty much a psychopath.
In fact, his closest friends are probably his bookie, the
always-great Brad Dourif, and a prostitute he occasionally sees,
Frankie, played by Eva Mendes. After a back injury, McDonagh begins
abusing prescription painkillers, which soon escalates to a little
coke, a lotta coke, and even a bit of the old crack-rock. On the way
down to the bottom he flushes away even more money on gambling. And
he pulls over couples and busts them for drugs so he can use the blow
and have sex with the girl while making her boyfriend watch. In the
meantime, he's in single-minded pursuit, in the way that only a
crackhead can be, of medium-time criminal mastermind Big Fate
(Xzibit). And he angers some mafia types. But before long McDonagh
starts bending the law so far that it is hard to tell who the real bad
guys are.
Herzog told cage he wanted him to "turn the pig loose," (a Bavarian
expression) and to "go for the bliss of evil." As the GTA series
shows, there is a kind of gleeful sense of liberation that occurs when
you have a gun and the world is your sandbox. Freed from the normal
constraints of morality, every outing is an adventure, because truly
anything can happen. The wickedness gets huge laughs here, mainly
because all the bad shit going down causes tension in the audience
that acts like the setup for a joke. You're expecting something
horrific, and if the character only does something kind of bad and
blurts out something over the top, it kills. There are other
similarities with GTA, but they are superficial, Herzog said he has
never heard of the game. And obviously, this movie is a lot deeper
than a video game -- there's real human drama.
At his character's fevered peak, in some ways Cage's performance is
reminiscent of Heath Ledger's Joker. He's got the same way of
carrying himself, with a walk that looks like he's not quite right
(ostensibly due to back pain), a high pitched voice, and sometimes a
crack-fueled inappropriate cackle that just screams, "C-ra-zy!" Both
the cops and the drug dealers are afraid of him, because he's utterly
unpredictable. That makes him a thrill to watch. Cage apparently was
able to get into some crazy places and went off-script often,
ad-libbing some of the best one-liners in the film. And this film had
the best one-liners in the festival. At the premiere at TIFF he said
he approached his performance like jazz, and he wanted to bring some
of the spirit of New Orleans to the role in that sense.
But as crazy as the Lieutenant gets, isn't just insane -- he's often
focused on doing the overarching right thing, he just goes too far.
And while I won't say whether this a story of redemption, this is at
least a core of compassion that you sometimes glimpse through the
drug-addled haze that makes him worth redeeming. As familiar as this
plot sounds, this is no by-the-numbers morality tale. Herzog doesn't
moralize or tell you what to think. This character just is what he is
-- magnificently and beautifully flawed.
Herzog explores some of his favorite themes, with Katrina giving a
reminder that we are inconsequential next to the awesome destructive
power of nature. But this is kind of a fake out. The real
devastating forces here are inner demons. Then there are also plenty
of shots of animals, from a snake slithering through the water, to
roadside gators, and even hallucinated iguanas. Fitting for a film
that satisfies our reptilian brains.
As far as the title goes, the only thing this film has in common with
the 1992 Abel Ferrara BAD LIEUTENANT film is that there's a rogue cop
who abuses his authority in pursuit of gambling, drugs, and sex. It
isn't a remake, and director Werner Herzog had said previously that he
hadn't even seen the first film called BAD LIEUTENANT. He wanted to
call this film simply PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS, but a producer,
thinking franchise, won that battle. At the premiere I asked Herzog
about the title controversy, and he said he's made his peace with it
-- he got to make the film he wanted to make, and if it has a funny
title, "So what." And while the title is a bit clunky, this film was
so much fun that I'm coming around to the idea of a franchise. How
about a BAD LIEUTENANT: DETROIT with Samuel L. Jackson? Or BAD
LIEUTENANT: CHICAGO with Robert De Niro? Or BAD LIEUTENANT:
Baltimore by the guys that did THE WIRE?
One thing is for sure though, this concept will only work with a great
actor in the lead role, and a great director who can dabble in crazy-land
but reign it in when things need to get serious. I would never have bet on it,
but Cage and Herzog turn out to be a perfect combo.
- Copernicus
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+ Expand All
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Ya bastads
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Sure he has made shit but so has Robert De niro along with every other actor. When Cage is on, there are no other actors that can touch him.
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Especially in the very beginning when that kids slips and falls while running to the car. Of all the weird and messed up crap that happens in that movie, that's what I remember most.
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I'm not even a big Nick Cage fan. Not very much at all, but this looks great! Finally a movie to look forward to.
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You aren't the only one sir !
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I really liked Ferrara's Bad Lt. w/t Keitel and I think Cage may shine in this.It's a good matinee gamble for a few bucks and I'll get in the mood for this with
painkillers myself ...just in case -
And his schlong is hanging out.
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Sep 25, 2009 6:32:17 PM CDT
I hope this launches a new trend - anthology film series
by margot_tenenbaum
Kind of like what John Carpenter tried to do with Halloween III. This way you don't have to call it a reboot or a sequel or a remake. It's just part of the series: same general concept, same title, different script, different actors & crew.
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Sep 25, 2009 6:55:43 PM CDT
So it's Ghost Rider Meets Batman Forever Meets Pimp my Ride
by disney_retcond_my_std
I'll stream it on netflix... maybe
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The original was only worthwhile for Keitel's incredibly ballsy performance and some of the crazy things they pulled off. The actual story, or investigating the rape of a nun, etc was utterly forgettale and has nothing to do with the movies continued popularity. However, with Herzog behind this, I can honestly say I might actually pay for Nic Cage movie for the first time since maybe Face/Off. This looks like it has just the right stuff to be incredibly lurid and fun. Cage is entertaining when he tries and goes off the wall, and it sounds like he did just that. He was allowed to be as crazy as he truly fucking is. It does fucking piss me off that some shithead producer smelled franchise material (from a 20 year old film almost no one has seen, and if they do, only remember it for Keitel?!?!) and decided to fuck with Herzog's movie. Not that Port of Call: New Orleans is in itself a good title at all, its actually universally terrible, but still. It makes me mad that an artist like Herzog has to bend to some piss-ant producer about something so incredibly stupid. This isn't a franchise, and it never will be. This won't even make money, bet your life on it.
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I hope that scene's in this version, although they could never match it really.
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I understand why a lot of people hate him, but I think his allure as an actor is undeniable. Even The Wicker Man, which is a horrible movie, is watchable because of Cage's freakish acting.
Oh yes, and Herzog is great too. His films are smart and witty without being self-indulgent. -
...Matchstick Men.
Not necessarily a bad thing, of course. -
Man can hardly do any wrong, so looking forward to this. Always admired Cage too, though I avoid his blockbusters. If you are new to Herzog, I highly recommend "Invincible" from 2001, starring Tim Roth.
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starring Tom Cruise! The gay bathhouse scene will make for good water cooler conversation.
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Nevermind, that was already released with the name Training Day :)
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Nic Cage has to uncover a plot to take over the presidency by some fringe group of civil war reenactors who think the south should have won. All while working the angles and snorting coke with Marion Barry.
He catches a lucky break when he finds a clue in an inscription inside Robert E. Lee's long lost hat.
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Just like Hackman did through most of 80's on. Agent:'Nic got a movie for ya' Cage:' How much you payin me?' Agent: 'It's about an abortion clinic plumber who gets kidnapped by anti-abortion extremists and is brainwashed into using his plunger for good. We want you to go the whole nine NicCage yards on it! It's a love story! And you ger to wear a neat black wig! 'Cage: ' How much you payin me?'
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Whenever I'm in a situation that calls for me to act like I'm on the phone I always do a little riff on the opening, where he's driving the kids to school and he's giving them shit for bein late. And if the situation allows I like to really lose it at "Im the boss, not Aunt Wendy!"
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But I'm glad to hear that it was some publisher's dumb idea and not Herzog's.
I finally saw the original this week (there was a double DVD set of Bad Lietenant/Resevoir Dogs in the $5 DVD bin at the grocery store this week!), and after I did, I was horrified at the idea of this new film sharing the title. The original isn't just the best movie I've seen this year, it's one of the best movies I've ever seen. Remaking it, franchising it, doing anything but watching it would be so wrong.
Thanks for that tidbit of info. -
Sep 25, 2009 9:34:03 PM CDT
LARS VON TRIER TO REMAKE POLICE ACADEMY AS PIG SCHOOL!!!
by carlthormark1978
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That one line made this whole review awesome. Great work, Copernicus.
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Fuck yeah!
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Meow!!!
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They exist in a vacuum unto themselves. They should be played in seperate theatres and released on a totally different format from everything else. There THAT FAR from good.
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Both raised in Arizona.
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is that it's about a rogue cop who abuses his authority in pursuit of gambling, sex and drugs", oh, and the name of course. Um, that sounds like pretty much everything.
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if he's as unhinged in here as he was in there then we are in for one hell of a ride. The Nicolas Cage you guys hate on is a fucking shite bland actor who's only rival in blandness is Christian Bale. The Nicolas Cage I miss and love was in Moonstruck, Vampire's Kiss, Leaving Las Vegas and Adaptation. Fuck Yeah! Can't wait for this film.
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there was so much imagery and such in there. Not to mention all that weird Jesus stuff. All of that is scrapped. So no, not pretty much everything. Bad Lieutenant doesn't have a patent on the idea of a crazy fucking cop.
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Damn, I miss that show. It would be great to see that brought back, even on the big screen.
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His soul is still dancing.
dman, is twisted, and very funny. I may need to keep eyes and ears op-en for more info on this movie. -
He's the master jedi of craziness. I am so there for this flic.
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characters back on the screen again. (and i wish Omar was there too)
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...more often misses than hits. This looks like a good 'un though!
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Starring Paul Gross as a taser-happy RCMP officer at Vancouver airport.
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Starring Gordon Pincent. Because without Gordon Pincent it wouldn't get a Telefilm Canada grant. Canadian law states that all movies must have a role for Gordon Pincent.
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Starring Joshua Jackson as a desk officer with really poor spelling. Criminals keep going free because of his typos on their paperwork.
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And I'll show you my $300.
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Harvey Keitel wasn't ACTING like he was high on crack.
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Folks, read Lorraine Bracco's "On the Couch". Keitel was a coke sniffing, crack smoking, wife abusing MONSTER. Keitel: great actor, total piece of shit human being. Sad but true.
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I'm there.
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Check out my reviews at Sick Picks!! http://sickpicks.blogspot.com/
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Adaptation. (2002) Bringing Out the Dead (1999)8MM (1999) Snake Eyes (1998)Wild at Heart (1990)
Your argument is invalid. My hair is a bird. -
The story really writes itself.
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By a good lieutenant!
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It's where he shines. I'm not sure who decided he was an action hero, but that was a bad call.
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or any of the hate Polanski gets. Also Polanksi was a holocaust survivor and had his pregnant wife brutally murdered by Manson. So fuck you haters. I actually feel bad for the guy.
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not "had his".
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Or drugged them.
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Sticky Fingers cover
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Sep 28, 2009 1:27:25 AM CDT
Who cares about Polanski, and why are comments about that everyw
by felwithe
Get over it. It wasn't posted as news. Shut the fuck up. No one cares.
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Sep 28, 2009 5:49:03 AM CDT
werner Herzog, one of the very few directors who fully deserve
by asimovlives
being called a cinematic genious. The man is pure talent. I'll watch anything made by him. My awe for Herzog knowns no limits.
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People with children, people who are anti-drug em and plug em, etc. Oh yes, we care. This is some of the coolest news of the year.
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Comedy, thy name is Royston.
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Cage rules. Raising Arizona, Peggy Sue Got Married, Birdy, Raising Arizona, Leaving Las Vegas, Wild at Heart, Raising Arizona, Honeymoon in Vegas, Matchstick Men, Raising Arizona, Adaptation, National Motherfucking Treausre...
Like Babe Ruth, when you have that many at bats, you're gonna have a lot of strike outs between your home runs. -
Sep 28, 2009 10:42:05 AM CDT
No, the Nic Cage hate is not tired, it's completly justified
by asimovlives
For the two or 3 good movies and good acting jobs he makes each decade since the 90s, the man has made dozens of bad movies. I'm sorry, but however escdlent he might had been in those 2 or 3 good movies he made, there's loads and loads of shit he has to be accounted for. I'm pretty late on the Cage hate bandwagon, but it took me almost 15 years to finally say "enough". But i finally said enough with The Wicker Man.yes, i'm excited with Port Of Call New Orleans, and yes i think Cage miht be dead right for the role. But i'm excited with that movie because it's a Werner herzog movie. And even if Cage is brillant in the movie, which i'm certain he is, i will still be on his hate bandwagon, as it is right.
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Only good thing in them is to watch Diane Kruger and that's it. Those fucking movies can kiss my ass. Dumb history served in a dumb movie for the dumbs.
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He doesn't have to account for jack shit. You act like Cage owes you something. Hey, feel free to waste your energy actively hating someone who you'll never even meet on account of some bad movies he's made. Knock yourself out. I don't give a flying fuck how many bad movies Cage has made, they don't detract from the great ones.
P.S. Wicker Man was one of the funniest movies I've seen in years and National Treasure has replaced Armageddon as the truly perfect Sunday afternoon hungover on the couch movie. No small feat there in. -
Remember the first "Bad Lieutenant" with Harvey Keitel's dick hanging out all over the place? I mean, who really wants to see that?!?
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Of course he as accountability. He chjosed to make the shitty movies, and obviously he did for the paycheck. Well, at least i hop he did for the paycheck, because if he truly beleived he was making good movies, then he«'s a bigger fool then i can even guess. And he has fuill accountability for the shit he has made, and he has made a lot of shit. Far mroe then the good stuff. If he's good in this movie, it's Werner Herzog i'll give credit for, not Cage. Cage can kiss my ass. And i used to be a fan of his work. So there.
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That dude's fixation with wigs is now beyond ridiculous. Accept you are bald, dude, give it up on the fucking wigs already.
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his films are lame. Agguire was alright though.
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