THE BAD LIEUTENANT - PORT OF CALL: NEW ORLEANS

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THE BAD LIEUTENANT - PORT OF CALL: NEW ORLEANS is a US thriller about a policeman who becomes addicted to prescription and illegal drugs, becoming corrupt as a result. It was classified '18' for frequent drug use, very strong language, sex and violence.

The lead character indulges in a range of prescription and illegal drugs throughout the film. We see him smoking crack cocaine, snorting cocaine, using heroin and smoking marijuana. His path to drug use is established following a work accident which leaves him requiring pain killers for a back injury. However, he soon develops a need for a range of harder drugs. He obtains these substances by robbing the police custody room and by misusing his police powers to confiscate drugs from users on the streets. At '15' BBFC Guidelines state that 'Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse' and that 'No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is suitable for 15 year olds'. While the character's life will be unappealing to most people, he shows little remorse for his actions and, in spite of his life being threatened on occasions, he appears to suffers little in the way of direct consequences. Indeed, it is his eccentric, illegal and dangerous behaviour that forms the main spectacle in the film. With no clear counterbalance or traditional 'path to redemption' narrative it was felt that the film required an adult understanding.

In one of the street robberies in which the main character obtains drugs, we see him use his police status and gun to threaten a young couple. The woman allows him to sexually molest her as he imbibes her crack cocaine. The scene is ambiguous but could be read as a sexual attack as the woman has little choice but to acquiesce to his orders.

The film also contains at least two clear uses of very strong language. One of the uses is directed by the desperate lead character at an elderly woman in a nursing home. Although the use is comically exasperated, it is also aggressive and offensive. The second clear use comes during a heated row between two women. At '15' BBFC Guidelines state that 'The strongest terms (for example 'cunt') may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable'. In addition the film contains frequent use of strong language.

The film also contains some strong violence, but this does not go beyond the BBFC Guidelines for '15' which state that violence '...must not dwell on the infliction of pain and injury'.