CAPE FEAR
US, 1991, 128 minutes, Colour.
Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, Juliette Lewis, Joe Don Baker, Robert Mitchum, Gregory Peck, Martin Balsam, Illeana Douglas, Fred Dalton Thompson.
Directed by Martin Scorsese.
The atmospheric black and white 1963 thriller starred Robert Mitchum threatening the family of the lawyer (Gregory Peck) who had put him in jail. This lavish remake, widescreen and colour, strong on visual atmospherics, stars Robert De Niro menacing and Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange and Juliette Lewis being menaced. Mitchum and Peck have cameo roles in this version.
The acting is strong, Nolte cast against type, Lange and Lewis (perfect as the teenager) and De Niro giving one of his complex performances.
Martin Scorsese directs and, instead of a straightforward thriller, he has woven in themes of sin and guilt, atonement, so that no-one is as black or white, hero or villain, as we might like.
The issues of rape and battery, law and vigilante violence are strong subjects, treated seriously – not for a popular entertainment. At times, it does seem overwrought and melodramatic (American style) with quite an apocalyptic resolution. Scorsese, a top director, makes a distinctive serious thriller.
1. A strong drama, revenge, the law, molestation? These themes at the beginning of the 1990s, compared with the past, compared with the sensibilities to come?
2. The work of Martin Scorsese, strong director, depictions of violence, physical, psychological? His work in so many films with Robert De Niro?
3. The remake, comparisons with the original film, the guest appearances by Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum and Martin Balsam?
4. The title, the location on the Georgia coast, the town as ordinary, homes, school, offices and hospitals? The realism for identifying with the film? The coast, the water, the boat?
5. The action sequences, the stunts? The colour styles – especially the pervading red?
6. The introduction to Max Cady? In prison, the focus on his back, the tattoos, the cross, the Christian symbolism, the quotations from the Bible, Old Testament vengeance? Cady and his appearance, tough, bitter, about to be released? The information about his background, the assault, his violence? His court appearances? The role of Sam Bowden as the lawyer? Withholding information about Cady because of his antagonism towards him? Cady in prison, study, knowing the law? The fourteen years? Lost years, simmering for vengeance? The complexity of his character, innate evil, the external causes of this evil and bitterness?
7. Sam Bowden and his work, upholding the law, the variety of cases, his reputation, relationship with his wife and daughter, his past affair, an error, recovering? Leigh and her life, her bitterness towards her husband? Danielle, her age, her attitudes, especially towards her parents? Her seeing them as too protective?
8. Cady arriving at the town, going to the movies, laughing out loud, the family reacting? The traffic, the confrontations, his paying for Sam’s meal, meeting him, the talk, the explanations of the injustice? Sam’s money offer?
9. The relationship between Sam and Lori Davis? Their meetings? The laughter, the nature of the relationship? Cady and his being in the bar, flirting with Lori, the drink, her response, going home with him, the sexual assault, in hospital, Sam visiting her? Leigh and her attitudes towards Lori?
10. Sam’s decision to hire the detective, Claude and his skills, at work, the background of hit-man? Cady and his violence towards Claude, outwitting him? The brutality, Sam watching? Cady and the taunts?
11. Cady, going to the lawyer, as played by Gregory Peck, his rights, the lawyer’s attitude and defending him?
12. Robert Mitchum as the sheriff, the discussions, his detached attitude, letting the law run its course? Not helping – but later helping?
13. Cady going to the house, the encounter with Leigh, his discussing this with Sam?
14. Danielle, her attitudes, the phone call, the plausibility of Cady’s invitation, the drama, her friends and their talk, her going downstairs, the use of the imagery of Red Riding Hood and the wolf? The discussions, the plausibility of Cady tricking her, discussing her parents, the kiss, her reaction and running away?
15. The plan, going on the boat, Cady’s presence? The turbulent river, the storm, the water and Cady overpowering the family? Sam in the water, the attack on Danielle? Danielle and her response? Cady in the water, drowning, defiant in death?
16. How well did the film work as drama, psychological thriller, the religious symbolism, the Bible, the texts, the cross, Cady as an avenging devil?
