Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans Preview/Synopsis

Releases between Nov. 20-27

Directed by Werner Herzog ( Rescue Dawn, Grizzly Man ) Starring Nicholas Cage, Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Fairuza Balk, Brad Dourif, Jennifer Coolidge, Michael Shannon, Shawn Hatosy, Xzibit. Written by William M Finkelstein ( NYPD Blue, Murder One ) Cinematography by Peter Zeitlinger ( Rescue Dawn ) Editing by Emmy winner Joe Bini ( Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired ) Original music by Oscar nominee Mark Isham ( A River Runs Through It, Eight Below )

Herzog claims this version isn't a remake of the 1992 film that starred Harvey Keitel, but there is no denying the premise and elements of this BL is pretty close to the other BL.
This version is about a cop in New Orleans, Terrence McDonagh ( Cage ) who started out a decent policeman, who gets a promotion to Lieutenant after a heroic deed that he accomplished during Hurricane Katrina. On a side note during that act of heroism, he injures his back and is prescribed strong painkillers, which after time he becomes addicted to. Fast forward... this leads to other drugs he becomes addicted to and he also starts to have sex for favors. In a turn to look like he's on the up and up with the police department and his peers, he lives a double, corrupted life and he hangs around drug dealers, mainly Big Fat ( Xzibit ) and has a call girl for his main squeeze. One, he is a Police Lieutenant and one a low life drug addict with reprehensible morals.

Rated R for violence, pervasive language, drug use and sexual situations. 121 min.

Oscar chances ? In a long shot Cage for Best Actor. But that's at this point, as many who saw it at Toronto say it's his best turn since Matchstick Men several years ago.