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Cape Fear (1991)
Scorsese has made better films, but this is the one I keep coming back to. There's beating around the bush here; I flat-out adore this 1991 masterpiece. I think it has all the elements to create a generally terrifying experience. A director who can firmly handle the material, a very strong atmosphere, and a lead actor who delivers a frightening and menacing performance. All this and more in Cape Fear.
Cape Fear is basically a story of revenge and flawed people. Robert De Niro plays Max Cady, an ex-con who seeks revenge on Sam Bowden, the man who played a role in sending Cady to prison for 14 years.
Raging Bull aside, this is my favourite De Niro performance. Effectively overplaying Cady, De Niro is over the top to the point that he's almost funny, but still has a strong undertone of menace that makes him seem real at the same time.
The film is almost a vision of a slasher film, made by Oscar Nominees and given real depth to it's storyline. Marty has real fun with this vision, combining effective camerawork with excellent photography. The writing is also superb, especially it's epic conclusion, where Bobby D terrifically delivers an overblown, yet captivating monologue that does generate a little sympathy for the film's villian.
Cape Fear does have little flaws here and there, but overall, the final product is an enthralling, well acted thriller that deserves to have a larger following.
Scorsese has made better films, but this is the one I keep coming back to. There's beating around the bush here; I flat-out adore this 1991 masterpiece. I think it has all the elements to create a generally terrifying experience. A director who can firmly handle the material, a very strong atmosphere, and a lead actor who delivers a frightening and menacing performance. All this and more in Cape Fear.
Cape Fear is basically a story of revenge and flawed people. Robert De Niro plays Max Cady, an ex-con who seeks revenge on Sam Bowden, the man who played a role in sending Cady to prison for 14 years.
Raging Bull aside, this is my favourite De Niro performance. Effectively overplaying Cady, De Niro is over the top to the point that he's almost funny, but still has a strong undertone of menace that makes him seem real at the same time.
The film is almost a vision of a slasher film, made by Oscar Nominees and given real depth to it's storyline. Marty has real fun with this vision, combining effective camerawork with excellent photography. The writing is also superb, especially it's epic conclusion, where Bobby D terrifically delivers an overblown, yet captivating monologue that does generate a little sympathy for the film's villian.
Cape Fear does have little flaws here and there, but overall, the final product is an enthralling, well acted thriller that deserves to have a larger following.