A recently-released rapist stalks the family of the attorney who defended him. Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 01/27/2009 Starring: Robert De Niro Joe Don Baker Run time: 128 minutes Rating: R Director: Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese's 1991 remake of J. Lee Thompson's 1962 thriller dabbles a bit in some fascinating psychological crosscurrents between its characters, but it finally trades in all that rich material for extensive and gratuitous violence. Robert De Niro plays a serial rapist released from prison after 14 years. Angry because his appalled attorney (Nick Nolte) made it easy for him to be convicted, this monster is out to hurt Nolte's character through his wife (Jessica Lange) and daughter (Juliette Lewis). The themes of interlocking guilt and anger between these people suggests a smart film in the making. But the final act, set on a boat with De Niro's vengeful pervert attacking Nolte and the two women, takes a more unfortunate direction. Stick with the original (which starred Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck, each of whom make a cameo appearance in this film). --Tom Keogh

Customer Rating:
Summary: gift
Comment: This was a gift for my brother he requested it. I have never seen it...

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Customer Rating:
Summary: 3 stars out of 4
Comment: The Bottom Line:

A solid psychological thriller featuring good acting, at least one genuinely frightening moment, and a high level of tension, Cape Feare ends a bit dissatisfyingly with an uninspired ending, but is certainly worth a view.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: WHY BOTHER WITH THIS FILM
Comment: I thought this film was a really bad remake of the great 1962 version. The 1962 film was much more frightening and intense than the remake, especially the death of Kersek. In the 1962 version, Robert Mitchum drowns him in the river, where in the remake, Kersek is strangled with a piano wire, which was too gory for me. I could have done without this.

Even though I like Robert DeNiro, he was not able to carry out the role of Max Cady in the terrifying manner that Robert Mitchum did.

The only good thing about this movie is that three of the original stars of 1962, Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum and Martin Balsam made cameo appearances in this movie. Robert Mitchum was especially good in the role of the police chief.

I recommend the original 1962 version.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Have no fear, this movie delivers beyond expectations...
Comment: First things first; Robert De Niro is a force in `Cape Fear'; a major force that permeates every scene of the film, even the once he doesn't physically inhabit, and proves to be spine chilling to the maximum effect. Everything, from his swagger to his accent to his piercing stare, is utterly perfect in its ability to crawl beneath your skin and fester mercilessly. I was astounded by his ability to conquer the southern accent with believability that never took away from the rest of his performance. Watching `Cape Fear' and then thinking of films like the recent `Hide and Seek' just further impress on me the fact that no one can take talent for granted, because sometimes it just goes away.

De Niro is still talented, but in recent years he's become more a `wasted' talent than anything else.

But this is about recent years, this is about 1991, when De Niro was still racking up Oscar nominations left and right for powerful performances in films like `Awakenings' and this brutal masterpiece right here. Scorsese is known for his gritty gangster films, but `Cape Fear' is further proof that labeling Scorsese a one trick pony (which I have regrettably done in the past myself) is an unfair accusation. `Cape Fear' may on the outset appear to be nothing more than a commercial horror/thriller film, but the deeply rooted performances and dark direction taken by Scorsese help elevate this film to something so much more than expected.

`Cape Fear' revolves around lawyer Sam Bowden and his family; wife Leigh and daughter Danielle (Danni). Sam finds himself at the mercy of his former client Max Cady, recently released from prison and out for revenge against the man who sent him away. Sure, Sam was Max's lawyer and defended him, but Max happens to know for a fact that Sam did not defend him to the best of his ability. Sam begins to worry when Max refuses to just go away, and when Max starts to penetrate Sam's household through his daughter Danni he realizes that he has much to worry about.

Like I mentioned, De Niro is explosive as Max Cady. Every movement he makes further cements his dementia upon the audience. There is a single scene that still haunts me, when he is seducing young Danni in the school auditorium. It's a brilliantly played scene that serves as a good reference point for the underlying menace that is Max Cady. De Niro isn't the only one pulling his weight though; the entire cast really shines here. Juliette Lewis rightfully joined De Niro as an Oscar nominee for this film in `91. Her performance is effortlessly captivating. She really grasps the idea of her character being your typical teenage girl battling normal teenage problems. Her curiosity of Max and her defense of him at the expense of her parents are played beautifully. Jessica Lange is also fantastic as Leigh, coupling her wifely repression with her motherly instincts. Nick Nolte, an actor for whom I have yet to really grow to love (I adore him in `Affliction' and that's really about it) actually acts with needed restraint here. The reason I don't really care for Nolte is because almost everything I've seen him do seems like he's overacting, but here, in a role that could have easily been overacted, he demonstrates this restraint that elevates his performance to a whole new level. That way when bursts of panic rush over him and he lashes out (like he does in that brilliant scene with Lewis; "DID HE TOUCH YOU?") it brings out the needed emotional response in the audience.

But the star of this film is undoubtedly Martin Scorsese, who really should have been nominated for, and possible won, the directing Oscar for this film. He really captures the essence of the film genre without giving over completely to the commercial swing of things. He keeps a visual style that is all his own, and really owns each scene, building the tension with just the swing of the camera. It is a true testament to his direction when you look at the four outstanding performances here, all of which should have been Oscar nominated in my opinion, for without Marty's commanding direction they could have easily been lost in their own skin.

`Cape Fear' may be passed over by some as a standard genre film, in fact I hesitated to watch this for some time for that very reason, but to miss out on this thrill ride would be a grave mistake. The underlying themes about revenge and guilt help create a film that is so much more than it suggests. Max Cady's transformation into a mere demon to an angel of darkness is astounding to watch and alone is worth the time it takes to watch the film; but don't worry, for every part of `Cape Fear' is just as brilliant as the rest.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: It scared me to death
Comment: This movie is scary. no joke. I was skeptical when I first picked it up, but it is disturbing and terrifying. It is a great movie, but I don't suggest you watch it by yourself. Robert De Niro gives a stunning and psychotic performance, which I never knew he could deliver.

I highly recommend watching this movie, but be ready to be scared. It scared me to death.

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