Review of Cape Fear (1991) by Bradley F — 13 Jan 2009

A great suspense movie with Robert De Niro and Nick Nolte in it. What's more terrifying than your family being in danger?

This movie highlights an inadequacy in the US law system. Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte), wants to take out a restraining order against Max Cady (Robert De Niro) but the hearing is set for ten days after Sam files for it. That in itself is a problem. If someone needs a restraining order, then it's an immediate need. It's not something that can wait, by the very nature of the need. In addition, what good is a restraining order in reality? Sure, there are times when it could work, when both parties are reasonable and will abide by the law. Most of the time though, if you need to take a restraining order out against something it's because they're doing something that threatens you or your family. In that case, it's obvious that the person has no regard for the law in the first place, so what good is the restraining order going to do you? Wouldn't the person just violate the restraining order to get at you anyways? Telling someone "No, you cannot!" isn't going to stop them when they really want to get at their target. Unfortunately, you can't have someone arrested and jailed just because they make you feel threatened. By the time they have done something that they can be arrested for, it's usually too late. This movie is a great demonstration of that problem.

The movie itself is very well done. Tension builds throughout the movie both by Max's actions and through the ineffectiveness of the law. Robert De Niro's acting is incredible too. It was amusing to hear a southern accent on him, even if it did seem a bit overdone. This one is definitely worth watching.