Many people don't know this about me, but I consider myself something of a philanthropist. I've recently started my new job watching Nicolas Cage movies. It's strictly non-profit, volunteer work, but I feel like a better person for doing it. In the past I've advertised my love of Mr. Cage, but I don't think I've written about his genuinely great performances like Sailor Ripley in Wild At Heart or as Terence McDonagh in the subject of this review, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.
One of the newest films from batshit insane/incredibly badass director Werner Herzog*, this concerns the everyday life of a crooked cop, played by Cage, who acquires drug addictions and gambling debts after injuring his back to save some dude's life. Unlike the original Bad Lieutenant, which I've never seen (and is directed by the equally insane Abel Ferrara, who made the unbearably boring film The Driller Killer), this is sort of a dark comedy. I think even Cage naysayers can get behind this one, because this is truly, as a friend of mine puts it, "Nicolas Cage...UNCAGED".
Things get off to a somewhat shaky start, with rather DTV-like photography and writing. Once we segue into Terence's life after his injury however, the movie becomes a truly glorious travelogue through the twisted psyche of Terence McDonagh/Nicolas Cage**. Forget National Treasure, forget Ghost Rider...THIS is the real Nicolas Cage, and this movie shows that he can still give a genuinely great performance. And holy shit is he hilarious! The things that his character does in the film are often despicable, but channeled through the artistic sensibilities of Cage and Herzog; the bad lieutenant of the title becomes a hilarious and endearing character. He is in many ways a reflection of his environment, of the chaos that followed in Katrina's wake, and it's obvious that both Cage and Herzog love the guy†.
He's not such a bad guy once you get to know him.
Most of my initial criticisms of the film have been pretty much dissuaded. I initially questioned Cage's decision to change his character's voice in the middle of the film, but a friend of mine pointed out that this only occurs during the section where Cage is withdrawing from drugs. Likewise the too convenient ending seems in retrospect to have been sort of a Brechtian joke rather than genuinely bad screenwriting - Herzog's movies are, after all, characterized by a nutty sense of humor. Another scene that didn't work for me the first time around was when McDonagh grins at some lizards he's hallucinating while a shaky camera darts around them (following the hilarious line: "What are these fucking iguanas doing on my coffee table?"). I think the shakiness of the camerawork killed it for me the first time around, and I was just thinking "What is Herzog on?!". I kind of get it now. I'm afraid I can't put into words why the sequence does or does not work, but somehow it really worked for me the second time around.
The movie is full of endlessly quotable lines, most of which are Cage's, and lots of hilarious scenes of his character's crazy hijinks. I will not spoil them, because I wouldn't want to deprive you of the unique experience of having your jaw drop in the cinema (or at home, depending on when you get around to it). I'd suggest bringing a Cage-hater along for the ride - they just might change their mind.
I'm sorry I couldn't write a funnier review of this movie, but man...this movie is just too awesome for me to make fun of. See it in theaters while you can! Otherwise you can pick up the DVD or Blu-ray disc on April 6th.
* Herzog is famous for working with insane actors. Besides Cage, he's worked with infamous madman Klaus Kinski and American psycho Christian Bale (see what I did there?).
** I know you're probably wondering what the actual plot is, but trust me - it's completely irrelevant.
† As Herzog said to Nicolas Cage, "We have to go for the bliss of evil."
{ 0 comments… add one now }
{ 1 trackback }