CAPE FEAR (1991)

“I am like God and God like me. I am as large as God. He is as small as I. He cannot above me nor I beneath him be.” – Lines quoted by psychopath Max Cady brings the philosophy of Silesius, 17th century.

When the film brings you the great Director-Actor combination, it’s worth watching experience on all accounts. Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro is such a unique combination which gives us some of the brilliant Hollywood films in both of their respective careers and ‘Cape Fear’ is the last specimen of this perfect combo. Very few people know that it’s a remake of the same titled film made in 1962 starring Gregory Peck as Sam Bowden here played by Nick Nolte. Scorsese paid homage to the early classic by having the presence of aged Gregory Peck here for a special appearance.
14 years after being in prison, Max Cady (De Niro) is out with single minded mission to seek revenge on his attorney Sam (Nick Nolte). He brings terrific presence of psychological torture for Sam and his family consists of his beautiful wife (Jessica Lange) and a teenager daughter. Cady is smart and he made Sam almost powerless to fight with him legally and so Sam has to take certain other means outside the law to trap him, leading to the last unforgettable showdown on Cape Fear.

De Niro is in great form here portraying biblical tattoo clad horrible psychopath Max Cady. Along with his earlier memorable characters in Scorsese Films Jack La Mota in Raging Bull and Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver, here’s another chiseled character full of horror show named Max Cady which I want to count in my favorite De Niro movie characters. Visually stunning images and powerful performances by talented cast highlights the psychological torment through the lens of Scorsese are the USP of this film. The biggest lower point of the film is it never rises above from its common theme of personal vendetta film in the second half.
Watch it for De Niro.

Ratings- 7.5/10