Cape Fear (1991)

Wow! Such a good movie.

An absolute waste of money

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Cape Fear (1991) - The movie directed by Martin Scorsese and acted by Robert De Niro as this is their next film after Goodfellas (1990). This film is a remake of the same titled film in 1962. The plot journey is quite slower in the first half but things getting interested when then complex started with the character of Max Cady (Robert De Niro) is looking for his revenge. I am very impressed with Robert De Niro performance since Godfather II (1974) & Taxi Driver (1976). In this film, he is fully transformed himself to a psychopath murderer. Overall, I will give 7/10 for this crime, thriller and drama.

Scorsese's career has been one where there have been many ups and downs in the quality of his films. But I thought he hit it out of the park with Cape Fear, and I thought it was the best film of 1991, as well as one of the scarier pictures I have ever seen. I know people in 1991 went crazy over The Silence of the Lambs, but I thought Cape Fear was far superior to this.I'll be the first to say that the De Niro character was at times a bit over-the-top, and was portrayed in a near super-human way at times, which stretched credulity. Nevertheless, there were so many good things about this movie that I was able to overlook that. Juliette Lewis was great in one of her first major film roles as the free-spirited daughter of Nick Nolte and Jessica Lange, and definitely deserved the Oscar nomination that she received.

First off, this is without doubt, one of the finest remakes ever and a true rarity in a movie market, that is utterly rife and over-flowing with many, many, remakes - of which most are terrible.Compared to the original film nearly 30 years earlier Scorsese's remake of Cape Fear is quite brilliant and vastly more entertaining then the somewhat underwhelming and ploddingly-paced original. In this 1991 remake of the film you'll notice that it's principle characters are far more lively then they were before, especially so with the character of Max Cady, who is -brilliantly- portrayed by Robert De Niro. De Niro infuses the role with an incredible level of energy, which is further flavored as one tends to find their self constantly down-wind from the unmistakably foul and odious air of that of Max Cady. An ex-con whose utterly evil to the core, who seems to effortlessly project a certain diabolic charisma and his character oozes of repugnance and pure unrepentant evil. In other words, Bob's just smarmy as hell in this movie and he's simply a blast to watch in virtually every scene. On a visual level, I find that due to all his cryptic tattoo's and unruly hair, that frequently alternates from wild to greasy, De Niro's physical appearance is far more menacing/convincing then the image Robert Mitchum projected with his take on Max Cady; which I found to be dull and profoundly mundane. Though at the same time one could say Mitchum did a better job at blending into society then De Niro's louder, flashier and more violent take on the character and that's something that plays a big role as to why I find this remake to be some much more entertaining. De Niro starkly stands out in his surroundings, from all that is wholesome and he very much so comes across as the oily and odious opportunistic bastard that he is; a recently paroled ex-con, always on the prowl, plotting and carrying out his multiple stages of revenge. Max is fully intent on taking his time with Sam and his wife Leigh and his daughter Danielle (and the family dog), tormenting them for several day's and night's, which, not surprisingly, causes lot's of friction and turmoil within the Bowden household; especially between husband and wife - as poor Sam has to sleep on the couch at least once.To my perception the cast in this film exude a lot more energy and create far more vivid characters, compared to the cast of the original film, which, to my senses, never seems to get too exciting at any point and ends abruptly in an astonishingly lame and anti-climatic finale. Those glaring faults have since been rectified with this new take on the tale and when it comes time to wrap things up, the ending's of these two films contrast immensely in their intensity; as Scorsese staged an exhilarating finale over troubled waters, one that comes loaded with many a desperate moment (and tingling nerves), as well as a completely vindictive and over-the-top De Niro, whose sole, revenge-driven, motive is to inflict retribution on Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte) and his family. The electrifying finale of this film is quite literally a, wet, wild, bumpy, thunderous, fiery and above all else LOUD ride; as De Niro (in what is surely the most animated moment of his career) holds court right there and then, intent on trying the Bowden's, at gun-point, in a sort of self-styled and provocative brand of perverted justice. As Max Kady, De Niro takes on the role of judge, jury and executioner, who is by then disfigured by fire and at his most depraved, boiling with revenge, he launches into a furious diatribe that's studded with legal questions, proclamation's of justice and Bible scripture, all while ranting at the top of his lungs - practically foaming at the mouth. But before the Bowden's sentencing can be carried out, a bend in the river throw's Kady a curve-ball, which, ever so rudely, interrupt's his trial and a spectacular storm of wet n' wild visuals sweep across the screen; involving rotating camera-work, some utterly artful film-editing and to me what looks like reverse film-footage. Scorsese pulled-off this striking sequence is ever so slyly and slippery, it's really quite a marvel of film-making and a thing of great beauty, which in stark contrast to the first film, ends the movie in a most exciting and satisfying way.In hindsight, there's one thing I'll always be convinced of and that is, that had it not been for Anthony Hopkins portrayal of Hannibal Lector, De Niro would have definitely taken home an Oscar for best actor..... that being said, I find The Silence of the Lambs to be a better movie anyway.

Not one of Martin Scorsese's best films by a long shot (though he has also done worse). This said, as said in my review for 'Hugo', even when Scorsese was not at his best the films in question were still better than the worst films of most. This is also coming from a director who when at his best, like with 'Goodfellas', 'Raging Bull' and 'Taxi Driver' for examples, gave some of the best films out there.'Cape Fear' is a remake of the 1962 film with Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum. While the remake may be slicker visually (the earlier film is still very well made instead, but Scorsese's film is gorgeously audacious) and be bigger and more expansive in its themes and character complexities, there is a vast personal preference for the more atmospheric, creepier and more eerie earlier film, one that didn't need excessive violence, gore or profanity to deliver the shocks, with an ending that was a masterclass in sexual tension and quivering fear and Mitchum unforgettably burning into the memory as how to haunt one's nightmares wile doing it in a much more subtle way.This is in no way denouncing Scorsese's film though. It is not as good (often very good though with major problems, while the 1962 film to me is a near-masterpiece let down only by the female characters not being as interesting) and perhaps not necessary. However, compared to how a lot of remakes have fared, which has seen abominations like the remakes for 'Psycho' and 'The Wicker Man' that should never have been made in the first place, it isn't halfway bad and hardly an amateur project.Where Scorsese does score over the 1962 film is in two things. One is the more expanded upon relationship between Cady and Danielle, which is genuinely disturbing and effectively makes the skin crawl as ought, it also further added to what was an already sadistic human monster (or shall we say psychopath?) like Cady. Even more so of an improvement is the portrayal of the Bowden family, instead of being humble and neatly black and white like it could have been (not knocking the 1962 film here) each member were portrayed as flawed characters with strengths and vulnerabilities, and much more of a family falling apart at the seams.Visually, 'Cape Fear' looks fantastic, the use of cinematic techniques not only dazzling in technical beauty but also adding a lot to the horror-like atmosphere rather than distracting. That is not surprising considering that it is the work of the great Freddie Francis, achieving great success with the likes of Amicus and Hammer. The film cleverly utilises Bernard Hermann's wonderful score from the 1962 film, arranged and conducted by Elmer Bernstein, there was the worry as to whether it would sound melodramatic, exaggerated and anachronistic in this particular film when it worked so brilliantly in the 1962 film, but it actually succeeded in giving the film a real eeriness and dramatic thrust and tension.A good deal of 'Cape Fear' is hugely entertaining. The first half in particular is rich in dreaded suspense and genuine entertainment. There are too scenes that chill the blood, like the scene between Cady and Lori and that between him and Kersek. Scorsese directs adeptly, often with a visual mastery, a knack of suspense and compelling character interaction.Robert De Niro's performance has been praised for being terrifying but also criticised for being over the top to the point of being a cartoon, both valid opinions. To me, while there is a much bigger preference for the creepier but more understated Mitchum and there are times where De Niro does fall into overdone parody, it is a very powerful and often scary performance in a fascinating, chilling and larger than life role, apart from the unstoppable Terminator-like traits in place bordering on the cartoonish. Nick Nolte does a very good job, bringing intensity and empathy to a morally ambiguous character that is written as much more than a heroic sort of role.Juliette Lewis' performance has also polarised viewers, again to me she was compelling in her rebellious attitude and sexual curiosity but also in the ability to think straight. Joe Don Baker is the standout in support and a casting highlight, a very strong performance. Having Peck and Mitchum (and Martin Balsam) in cameo roles the anti-thesis of their 1962 'Cape Fear' characters was a masterstroke.However, was not crazy about Jessica Lange, a very good actress. She didn't have an easy character to play, one with not a lot to do and one who seems to be in permanent shock and terror, but Lange both overdoes it and phones it in to the point that the character is annoying. While absorbing most of the time, especially in the first and second acts, a few of the Cady character building scenes did drag and go on for too long, 20-25 minutes trimming may have made things better.More problematic was that the thicker the story got the more excessive it got too. Especially suffering is the ridiculously unintentionally funny and illogical scene where Kersek's body is found and an ending that is ludicrously overblown and missing the suspense, sexual tension and quivering fear (plus that masterly improvisation touch with the egg) conveyed so unforgettably in the 1962 film. The violence did disturb a good deal, but at numerous times it didn't feel necessary, sometimes less-is-more and more atmosphere is better, and felt over-the-top, cartoony and more at place in a graphic cartoon or something.All in all, inferior but still surprisingly well done despite being a long way from perfect. 7/10 Bethany Cox