What filmmakers have made a lasting impression on your own works?
I have a few directors who have significantly influenced my creative process. I have dabbled in screenwriting, and George Miller certainly influenced the most significant work that I have come up with. Miller’s world-building and detailed work is something to stand in awe of. The Wasteland that Miller has created has obviously impacted your humble The Wasteland Reviewer as you read this edition of “The Wasteland Vintage Roadshow”. The Coens have made the biggest impact on my own humor (dry as can be) and how I create characters that fill out my stories. You cannot watch a Coen Brothers film without admiring the incredible work and care that goes into the minor characters.
But why is influence important to this conversation about my latest Scorsese film?
This project started as an obligation to a studio, but that wouldn’t stop Martin Scorsese from making it into something completely his own. But Scorsese’s approach was to see the story and how it channeled the works of one of his influences. What is so impressive about this filmmaker is his ability to be one of the all-time greats and a student of the game simultaneously. When he saw a disturbing story full of thrills and taboo connections, only one name came to mind…Hitchcock.
How does Scorsese channel his inner Hitchcock with this thriller, Cape Fear?
From the opening credits, Scorsese enlisted the skills of Saul Bass (a long-time collaborator of Hitchcock) to create a haunting and unnerving visual introduction to this film. The opening credits, paired with Elmer Bernstein’s reworked version of Bernard Hermann’s score (from the original film) are something to behold. But that is not the end of Scorsese’s homages to the Master of Suspense. The exaggerated camera angles, quick and abrupt editing style and sharp lightning contrast perfectly combine bold filmmaking approaches. These were not by accident since they are all trademarks of Hitchcock’s work. Cape Fear has one of the most arresting styles in any of Scorsese’s films (which is saying quite a bit since he is known for his attitude and in-your-face directing style). If you didn’t know any better, you might mistake this film for modern Hitchcock…but just a lot more blood (there is still plenty of Scorsese left in the film). Even though it is a remake and a bigger studio film, Scorsese can still find an artful way to create this film.
But how does the film channel the original?
Scorsese is not one to do sequels and remakes (but when he does, The Color of Money is such a gem) but does his homework to homage to the original film. As stated above, the original score from Hermann is utilized heavily (with a few new twists from Bernstein). The bombastic score is pulsating and intense, creating the perfect environment to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. There is also some stunt casting done to pay some direct homage to the original Cape Fear. The original Max Cady, Robert Mitchum, appears as a police lieutenant. His deep and resonant voice is felt on the screen, including when he gives our hero, Sam Bowden, some sketchy advice. Speaking of Bowden, the original from the 1962 film also appears in the film. In his last acting role, Gregory Peck brings his legendary presence to one courtroom scene, which is glorious (alongside Martin Balsam, who is another alumnus of the original film).
Plenty has been said about how this film represents Hitchcock and the original Cape Fear, but what makes this film stand out?
First things first, there is one element that stands up above the rest. Robert De Niro…as Max Cady. This is a legendary turn from the world-class actor. This might not be his most iconic or best performance, but it is certainly special. De Niro had dental work to sharpen and disfigure his own teeth for the role. Cady is a rapist, a con man, and, overall, a dangerously violent being. We witness his brutality on a poor clerk from Bowden’s office (and potential flame). The breaking of her arm and the biting off of the skin from her face captures just how far this madman will go for pleasure and whatever else he wants. But it is his introduction that might be the most memorable. Scorsese manages his camera with precision (with the work of cinematographer Freddie Francis) to slowly reveal this unholy being in the audience. The camera quickly cuts to each of Cady’s tattoos (ranging from Bible verses to giant metaphors). The iconic scale of justice is unnerving and shocking as it takes up all of De Niro’s back. Then he walks out of prison after years with a horrifying storm in the background, and his face runs right into the camera lens.
But Cady cannot just be a great introduction, right?
The introduction to the audience is incredibly important. Still, when you want to create a lasting antagonist who will terrorize audiences for years to come, you must deliver the whole package. Oh…and De Niro comes to play. Earning himself an Oscar nomination, De Niro shoots for the fences with his eerie southern draw and violent inclinations. When Cady is seen in a movie theater (watching Problem Child, no less) with a big cigar surrounding him, he crackles with menace. Cady is not only evil but incredibly resourceful and clever. All his time in prison allowed him to learn the law to play Bowden’s game. He is not there to harm him…he wants to play with him along the way. He lurks… kills those around him… seduces, and violates Bowden’s daughter. Cady stops at nothing. De Niro channels all of his charisma and presence to make a frightening creation that will send chills down your spine at every turn.
But what is the moment that most will remember of Cady?
When Bowden puts a hit on Cady…things don’t go as planned. Three thugs do a number on Max, but he soon takes the upper hand. What comes next is one of the creepiest and most intense monologues you might see in the film. “I AM LIKE GOD…AND GOD LIKE ME!” Cady compares himself to God and strikes down his power. Cady sees himself as God and is above religious life’s restrictions. He will do what he wants and when he wants. He will be the judge upon Bowden for his grievances against Cady when he left evidence out of Cady’s defense. This little tirade should not surprise anyone familiar with Scorsese’s work. The running theme of questioning religion and faith is a trademark of his, which he brings into this character of Cady.
But Cady is not the only character to fill this story, right?
Bowden has been discussed indirectly enough but is another great example of an unlikeable protagonist in a Scorsese film. Cady is the film’s much more entertaining and interesting figure, but Bowden is the “hero.” Bowden did screw over Cady when he was his attorney. Was it the right thing to do? Was Cady guilty? But that is a big-time moral vs legal dilemma that the film confronts. Bowden actively flirts and plays around with a young woman at work. Bowden’s wife Leigh hints at other acts in the past as well. He does not connect well with his daughter or seem to make an effort. The more time the audience spends with Bowden, the more he becomes unlikeable and harder to root for. Nick Nolte is the perfect casting as he is not inherently an actor who is lovable, it is easier to swallow that moral ambiguity. But on the options side of the coin, Leigh is loving and charming (someone to root for). Jessica Lange is an inspired bit of casting; she needs that perfect smile to get you on her side. A darker element of the film is how Bowden’s daughter, Danielle, gets drawn in. Her rebelliousness makes her drawn to a man like Cady. He flirts with her, sparks her intellect, and tries to cause an awakening in her sexually. His reputation as a rapist makes this even more disturbing as he assaults her in certain ways (all the creepier to see De Niro with a young and innocent Juliette Lewis). Lewis is strong and rambunctious in so many ways. She is also naïve in the way she trusts Cady.
With top-notch filmmaking and a talented cast, how does the classic tale play out?
Cape Fear works in a straightforward and familiar way. Many thrillers follow the basic path that this film does. What Cape Fear offers is an antagonist who is not like many. Cady is ruthless and brutal and unrelenting. He slowly taunts Bowden. There could have been a mystery in the film, but Scorsese is not concerned with that. As the audience, Bowden knows exactly who is coming for him because that is important. As the film goes on, it does begin to get a little out of hand. Cady becomes less and less human. He can keep coming back and back and back again. Michael Myers would be jealous of the unrelenting nature of Cady. Does it get a bit repetitive and overbearing? Maybe just a tad but De Niro is killing it every step of the way.
Where does Cape Fear land in the pantheon of Scorsese films?
Not many of his films lean heavily into the horror/thriller genre like this one. Outside of Shutter Island (and maybe one or two others), not many of Scorsese’s films go for such a dark and ominous tone. This is certainly a different type of film from what was offered earlier. This is an impeccably made film from every technical standpoint. The actor is really strong which is such an exciting message to be passing along. Where the story might not be the most unique, Scorsese can bring plenty of tension and suspense to make this a worthy experience.
