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Martin Scorsese’s 1991 dramatic thriller explores the potential of the human psyche when fuelled by revenge. This form of evolution has been explored by artists throughout time, however Cape Fear presents this idea in world embedded in moral greyness, as a lawyer must atone for his past sins as he seeks to kill a monster of his past creation.
Nick Nolte plays Sam Bowden a criminal defence lawyer who unethically misrepresents his client Max Cady (Robert DeNiro) in a heinous felony. Fuelled by hatred and revenge Cady serves his 14-year sentence as he pushes his human extremities by transforming himself mentally and physically into a monster to hunt down Sam for his years of incarceration. Scorsese thoroughly shows the depravity of Cady’s character as DeNiro delivers an unnerving performance as a jaded sociopathic criminal influenced by nihilistic principles of Nietzsche and theological ideas present within the bible. Cady creates his own moralistic spectrum where he justifies his actions as acts of God.
The supporting cast including Bowden’s wife Leigh (Jessica Lange) and daughter Danielle (Juliette Lewis) delivers excellent performances as they navigate through this world of moral gloom masterfully setup by Scorsese’s. Danielle’s innocence and naivety is exceptionally contrasted with Cady’s darkness yet subtle charm as he manipulates and deceives her character, involving her in his revenge against her father.
Cape Fear is also a love letter to golden age of Hollywood as the film has fourth wall breaking moments and styles reminiscent to the original Cape Fear (1962). Iconic scenes of colour inverted images are shown to present the primal fear brought on by Cady’s Prescence.
Although being an overall exceptional film, the third acts does suffer from being stretched out as the final encounter between the Bowden family and Cady panders for too long. Furthermore, a great suspension of disbelief is required from the audience as Cady suffers through rounds of torturous attacks as he tries to enact his ultimate revenge.
Cape Fear is a true outlier of excellence within Scorsese filmography.
Rating: 4/5
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