Cape Fear (1991, 128 Minutes)

Playing as a part of Scorsese: More Than a Gangster

Scorsese followed up the massive success of Goodfellas with a modern remake of one of the most iconic pieces of old school American noir. Cape Fear is set 14 years after the violent sadist Max Cady (played by Robert De Niro with a rare southern drawl) was sent to prison for the rape of 16 year old girl. His lawyer, Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte), actively hid information that might’ve lightened his sentence out of disgust. Bowden now lives in the suburbs with his wife (Jessica Lange) and daughter (Juliette Lewis). Upon his release, Cady goes about stalking and bringing havoc to Bowden’s world; going after his friends and family in a bloodthirsty attempt at revenge from a man who’s only become more disturbed with time. De Niro received his sixth (and to date last) best actor nomination for his theatrically horrifying turn, and Juliette Lewis’ captivating breakout performance as Bowden’s daughter is a haunting, unsettling depiction of coming of age which garnered her a best supporting actress nomination. Above all, Cape Fear is an exciting remake because it actively reckons with the more troubling aspects of its story that couldn’t be addressed in the 1960’s adaptation. More transparent in deconstructing the hollow justice system of America, and the effects its messy process has in only digging deeper horrors for everyone involved. Also, cameos by Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck!

This screening will be introduced by Amanda Bartlett, an award-winning senior reporter for SFGATE covering culture, history, science and breaking news. She’s written extensively about the local theater scene as well as a number of films shot around the Bay Area and beyond, from “The Matrix Resurrections” and “The Princess Diaries” to “The Birds” and “Killer Klowns from Outer Space.” She has appeared as a guest on the Midnight Mass podcast co-hosted by drag legend Peaches Christ and filmmaker Michael Varrati and previously worked for the Roxie Theater, Noise Pop and Frameline Film Festival.” 

Cast: Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, Juliette Lewis, and Joe Don Baker

Playing back to back with Shutter Island at 6 PM. Catch both for $20.