Review of Cape Fear (1991) by Kevin R — 26 Nov 2013

Is he a flasher or just a peeper?

A young lawyer represents a man he knows is guilty of raping and battering a young lady. The lawyer obtains evidence that his client's victim was with several men that night, any of them could be responsible for the murder...but the lawyer knows he did it, so he buries the evidence. The man goes to jail for fourteen years and is eventually released. Upon release, he will stop at nothing to obtain revenge on his lawyer for not doing his best to keep him out of jail.

"What are we talking about?".

"Two pieces of pipe and a bicycle chain.".

Martin Scorsese, director of Goodfellas, Casino, The Departed, Taxi Driver, Aviator, Shutter Island, Hugo, Raging Bull, Boxcar Bertha, Mean Streets, and the upcoming The Wolf of Wall Street, delivers Cape Fear. The storyline for this picture is very gripping and dramatic. The film is delivered in the perfect gritty fashion needed for this plot and the acting is outstanding. The cast includes Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Juliette Lewis, Jessica Lang, Gregory Peck, and Joe Don Baker.

"I don't know whether to look at him or read him.".

Cape Fear is a movie I saw as a kid and remembered thinking it was just okay. Watching it again as an adult I can tell you that I am thoroughly impressed by the intensity of this film. De Niro delivers a mesmerizing performance. My only complaint about this film is the conclusion seems a bit overdone and too drawn out. I do really like this movie, but it wouldn't make my top 5 Scorsese or De Niro pictures. This is good enough to add to your DVD collection and is a must see for both De Niro and Scorsese fans.

"Every man has to go through hell to reach his paradise.".

Grade: B+/A- (8.25).