Review of Cape Fear (1991) by Antoine O — 18 May 2010
A mixed bag from Martin Scorsese. Cape Fear is well acted and well directed but it just looks like Scorsese doesn't know what this movie's supposed to be. It has some intense scenes, that are sometimes truly disturbing and sometimes it's just over-the-top and it looks like Scorsese's borrowing slasher movie iconography.
The movie's dilemma of whether it's a serious drama or B-fiction, is compensated by the all-star cast. Robert DeNiro is incredible as Max Cady, he's crazy as hell in this movie, way more crazy than the already creepy Travis Bickle. If you're a fan of his, you need to check this movie out. While I don't it's one his best performance, it's really fun to look at him. Nick Nolte and Jessica Lange do a good at portraying a couple that suffers from stress and unloyalty, but the other performance that stood out for me was Juliette Lewis as Danielle Bowden. This is Lewis' best performance, she does a fantastic job at playing a teenager who's attracted by DeNiro's Max Cady.
Anyway, watch Cape Fear if you're a Scorsese fan, but don't expect a masterpiece.
This review of Cape Fear (1991) was written by Antoine O on 18 May 2010.
Cape Fear has generally received very positive reviews.
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