Cape Fear (1991)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
When I made a list of best remakes ever, not sure why I didn’t mention 1991’s Cape Fear. This might be even more well known that the original that stared Gregory Peck in 1962. It is really one of those rare cases where the remake is better than the original. I saw the movie in bits and pieces throughout my life and I found it on the Starz app, when I had that so I gave it a watch.
Cape Fear is about a lawyer named Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte) whom is tormented and stalked by an ex-convict, Max Cady (Robert DeNiro) that he defended in trial and lost. Bowden’s family is also terrorized his wife Leigh (Jessica Lange) and especially his daughter Danielle (Juliette Lewis) whom Cady takes a liking to. Cady’s insanity and anger increases slowly throughout the movie, making for many unnerving and uncomfortable scenes. It all comes to a head when Cady follows the family on vacation and has a final standoff with Sam.
I think the best part of Cape Fear is the acting. My god the acting is amazing. Robert DeNiro puts in one of the best performances not only of his career but of the 90s in general. He dives so deeply into the character that you can feel everything he says and does. He is so amazing at being the on edge, sinister Cady. Nick Nolte also does a great job as Sam Bowden. You start to relate with him and you understand his dive into madness as well. Sam is a man that is used to having others deal with his troubles and issues, but this time he has to do things himself and protect his family. Sam really goes through a change as the movie goes on. Juliette Lewis, whom I usually do not care for aside from Christmas Vacation does a fair job as the naïve and innocent Danielle. She is attracted to Cady, because he treats her like an adult and shows her the attention that she is seemingly lacking from men and her father in general. I think a lot of the reason I don’t care for her is because for a short period the media always talked about beautiful, she was, and I just don’t see it. Her forehead is massive lol, yeah I’m a dick, but whatever…don’t act like you haven’t noticed that five head.
The atmosphere in the movie is clutch. It really helps the suspense and sets the mood for all the scenes. The ending during the vacation is gut wrenching and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The camera work and directing is top notch, but cmon its Scorsese so it is to be expected. Along with movies like Goodfellas, Casino, and Raging Bull this is one of Scorsese’s best. I can’t really talk too much about certain scenes because I don’t want to ruin it for you guys, it really is a movie that you should watch for yourself.
Cape Fear is a great psychological thriller and one of the best of all time. It seems like the early to mid 90s was full of these. Silence of the Lambs is another that immediately comes to mind. I really enjoyed this and the acting of DeNiro is some of the best work I’ve ever seen in a movie, he was nominated for an Academy award for best actor in 91 for this role. Ironically he lost that award to Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs. Again if you haven’t seen this, give it a watch it really is a classic. I give Cape Fear an A, I really can’t give it anything less.
31 Horror Movies 