Cape Fear (1991)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Writers (WGA):

John D. MacDonald (novel)
James R. Webb (earlier screenplay)

Release Date:

13 November 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

There is nothing in the dark that isn't there in the light. Except fear.

Plot:

A convicted rapist, released from prison after serving a 14 year sentence, stalks the family of the lawyer who originally defended him.

Plot Keywords:

Rape | Revenge | River | Psychopath | Cigar Smoking

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Robert De Niro	...	Max Cady
Nick Nolte	...	Sam Bowden
Jessica Lange	...	Leigh Bowden
Juliette Lewis	...	Danielle Bowden
Joe Don Baker	...	Claude Kersek
Robert Mitchum	...	Lieutenant Elgart
Gregory Peck	...	Lee Heller
Martin Balsam	...	Judge
Illeana Douglas	...	Lori Davis
Fred Dalton Thompson	...	Tom Broadbent
Zully Montero	...	Graciella
Craig Henne	...	Prisoner
Forest Burton	...	Prisoner
Edgar Allan Poe IV	...	Prisoner
Rod Ball	...	Prisoner

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, and for language.

Runtime:

128 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Finland:K-15 (video rating) (2001) | Finland:K-16 (1992) (cut) (video rating) | Finland:K-18 (1992) (uncut) | Iceland:16 | Canada:R | Brazil:16 | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18 | India:A | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Israel:16 | Norway:15 | Singapore:PG | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | Netherlands:16

Filming Locations:

Florida, USA

Company:

Amblin Entertainment

Trivia:

Amblin Entertainment's first "R" rated motion picture.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the bar scene, just prior to the scene when Max attacks Lori - as Max and Lori talk in the bar, Lori's blouse's top button goes from unbuttoned, to her buttoning it, then inexplicably is unbuttoned again.

Quotes:

Prison Guard: What about your books?
Max Cady: Already read 'em.

Movie Connections:

Featured in A Conversation with Gregory Peck (1999)

Not Scorcese's best, but pretty good!

Martin Scorcese's filmography as director is one of the most accomplished in modern film history. While Cape Fear can't even hold a candle next to "Taxi Driver", "Raging Bull" and "Goodfellas", it is still a fabulous remake of the 1962 noir classic and it keeps the viewer on the edge right through until the closing credits.

Robert De Niro (in yet another brilliant teaming with Scorcese behind the camera) plays Max Cady, a psychopathic rapist who was sent to jail 14 years earlier for such crimes. He leaves prison with vengeance. Not for his victims or his prosecutor, but his defence councillor, Sam J. Bowden, played by Nick Nolte. It seems Bowden did not defend Cady to the best of his ability. Cady knows this and wants some payback.

Cady's initial return into Bowden's life could not have come at a worse time. Bowden has been forced to move his family to Florida after his infidelities threatened his marriage and career. His wife is distrustful and worst of all, Bowden is on the verge of beginning another affair with a female workmate. Added to that, his daughter is at the difficult age of 15.

Almost by ozmosis, Cady understands these problems in the Bowden household and acts on them. He begins terrorising Bowden and his whole family, taking it from one extreme to the next.

What makes Cape Fear such a good film is the rapidly increasing sense of claustrophobia. Scorcese makes a point of using almost only close up shots towards the end of the film. It is a great touch that makes the viewer that much more scared as the film goes on.

Along with that, Robert De Niro is superb as Cady. Only occasionally does the role slip into parody. Mostly he is expertly evil.

Nick Nolte is good if not great, the same for Jessica Lange as Leigh Bowden. It seems as if they were void of any great lines in this film, which is unfortunate given their immense talent. Julliette Lewis is absolutely brilliant as the young daughter, Danielle. She slips effortlessly between curious sexual awakenings, rebellious teen and straight thinking woman. Add in small roles for Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck (the leads of the 1962 version) and you have a great ensemble cast.

So not the best Scorcese film ever, but some tight editing, great camerawork, a haunting theme and devilishly over-the-top acting help make this a frighteningly fun movie to watch. Strongly recommended.