Review of Cape Fear (1991) by Clintus M — 10 Jun 2012

Cape Fear is not a Martin Scorsese masterpiece, but it is a great thriller and another example of Robert DeNiro's great acting. I mean the film may not be as remembered without it being directed by Scorsese, but than it also may not have been a good movie.

But this film sets up very well, giving a family, a story, and a villain who truly is the best part of the film. Max Cady is a killing machine and a true psychopath, and his persistance and motivations make him one of the most memorable villains in cinema, from either this or the old version.

Robert DeNiro plays his perfectly and its great to see him play more of a psychopath rather than his usual roles. Nick Nolte is also great and really rises the tension of the situation, and Juliette Lewis really carried a strong and great role that I think she handled perfectly.

The script is great, the cast is great, but what kept the film from being perfect was that it was a remake, and we must compare it to the original which makes it truly hard to look at it as a masterpiece.

So overall, even though its a remake, Martin Scorsese does a great job at making a great thriller that will seriously make you reconsider becoming a lawyer.