Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte and Jessica Lange
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Few actors that achieved fame years ago are as beloved as Robert De Niro. Since his rise to stardom in the 1970’s, De Niro has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s raging boxers, taxi drivers or gangsters, De Niro has played many characters. Arguably, De Niro’s finest strength as an actor is his approach of method acting. He is one of those rare actors that has always poured both his heart and soul in every single role. An actor with an intense commitment to his craft, De Niro has become a world-famous icon in entertainment. Shining a bright light in darkness, the actor has become a legend in the entertainment business. Through his ability to portray larger than life characters which are compelling, De Niro has created an enduring legacy that’s proven lasting. Throughout his lasting career, De Niro has starred in countless memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of De Niro and adore all films he has made in his career. However, “Cape Fear” is truly my favourite. Released in 1991, Martin Scorsese’s movie offered a powerful portrait of serial killers. Packed with strong production design, powerful storytelling and engaging acting, it’s one of the best mystery films ever made. At the center of it all is an exceptional performance by Robert De Niro, who portrays a serial killer that experiences sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Cape Fear” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Martin Scorsese moves targeted to a special audience, it tackles powerful themes everyone will relate to. A captivating crime drama, there are many strong reasons why “Cape Fear” is a commemorated film worth watching.
Set within a small town, “Cape Fear” tells a story of a rapist that instills fear. Robert De Niro portrays Max Candy, a psychotic rapist that causes individuals to face catastrophe. Max has often gotten away with committing crimes without facing a serious price to pay. However, Max’s life forever changes when he is imprisoned for crime that he has never committed causing disaster. Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte) is a fierce lawyer that strives to apprehend Max for being a killer. Seeking a sense of vengeance, Max seeks to engage in acts of violence. As he is apprehended for committing murder, Max is forced to wonder whether it’s truly possible for him to become a killer.
Martin Scorsese has often been fascinated with stories of gangsters. A phenomenal filmmaker, Scorsese has often made films about gangsters whose lives are in danger. His iconic movie “Goodfellas” provided a powerful portrait of gangsters that endure dilemmas. With “Cape Fear”, however, the director crafted his first serial killer film. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the lives of serial killers that face adversity, but he succeeded immensely. Through bold cinematography, Scorsese captures a serial killer embarking upon a journey to commit murders in tragedy. Inspired with Jonathan Demme’s “The Silence of the Lambs”, Martin Scorsese uses POV shots to capture lives of serial killers. For instance, the point of view shots elevate the murder scene. During this memorable scene, Max commits gruesome murder causing tragedy. Using point of view shots, Scorsese created a portrait of killers that’s compelling. POV shots are tricky. As Michael Mann’s “Heat” demonstrated, POV shots enhance heist films. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using captivating visuals, Scorsese captures tensions that killers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Cape Fear” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Evoking Rob Reiner’s “Misery”, Scorsese expertly uses costumes to capture lives of killers facing adversities. Throughout the movie, Max’s costumes are a strong symbol showcasing his personality as a serial killer. For instance, the costumes enhance the lawyer meeting scene. During this unforgettable scene, Max has his first meeting with Sam which causes tensions. Using costumes, Scorsese crafts a portrait of a serial killers that’s engaging. Moreover, the musical score is phenomenal. Bernard Hermann’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which serial killers bear. Through powerful production, Scorsese captures serial killers facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Cape Fear” is a movie about killers which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture lives of serial killers that are affected by violence. Scorsese’s screenwriting strength is ability to capture the lives of serial killers affected with violence through silence. For instance, silence elevates the crime aftermath scene. During this unforgettable scene, Max faces tension when he is caught for the crimes he has committed. Through silence, Scorsese creates a portrait of serial killers audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a complicated technique to use in movies. As “Raging Bull” suggested, silence enhances movies about boxers which are stressful. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an exceptional screenplay, Scorsese captures the lives of serial killers that experience grim price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Robert De Niro delivers one of his greatest performances as Max Candy. De Niro first earned appreciation for playing tormented taxi drivers. With “Cape Fear”, however, the actor took on his most villainous role. It isn’t easy to portray a menacing killer that faces adversity but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in his career before: intense, charismatic and riveting in his most iconic role. De Niro has often excelled playing emotional characters facing pressure, and “Cape Fear” exhibited his strength as an actor. It’s an exceptional performance from one of the most beloved actors today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for De Niro, the supporting cast is also superb and worthy of appreciation. Nick Nolte is terrific, capturing the heroic personality of a father that seeks to protect his family from killers which are tragic. Juliette Lewis is powerful, capturing the regret of a woman hunted by killers that leave her upset. Lastly, Jessica Lange is spectacular. As an anxious mother, she is unforgettable
Finally, “Cape Fear” would earn recognition of everyone for capturing serial killers which face fear. Unlike most films about killers, it tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. It discusses bold themes such as angst, mental health and trauma that will resonate amongst everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with serial killers to enjoy it. Therefore, “Cape Fear” is one of those rare movies about serial killers that everyone will adore.
Fans of Robert De Niro would definitely love “Cape Fear” and so would audiences which seek meaningful entertainment. A stunning serial killer thriller, it honours a celebrated actor.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a classic film about killers which evoke fear facing a heavy burden to bear, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that’s established a successful career through his abilities to portray larger than life characters in iconic movies about which audiences have grown to deeply care.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 