IR TV Review: CAPE FEAR - EPISODE 1 & 2 (“Finger & Toes” & “Why Would I Want To Hurt You”) [Apple TV]
The essence of revisiting "Cape Fear" reflects always in the changing perception of society but also that someone cannot be inherently evil but is simply pushed to the brink by a set of circumstances. The new series sees Javier Bardem as Max Cady. Like Mitchum and DeNiro before him, he brings a certain dangerousness to the role. But with this iteration perception counts even more because we see Max’s reasons but also the intelligence involved and not just primality. Anna and Tom (played by Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson) who are the focus of his ire, specifically Anna, understands where this rage is coming from. Cady does have more nefarious tendencies at play which we see from the very first scenes. But what is interesting is he has PR chops at play too. In the first and second episode, Anna’s boss will overlook a lot of things if it leads to underwriting because they see value in Cady's reparation and story.
The roles are a little reversed here with Anna being the lawyer focused with an infidelity in play but she and Tom also have a son and a daughter. It is the son that is susceptible but how that breaks down in online subterfuge shows the necessity of the modern age. That said while Wilson and Adams do alright, this is about watching Bardem who slips so charmingly and menacingly into this character. Whereas No Country requires a different darkness he is right at his age to see this possibility. He is internal and yet external. The way he plays a tension outside Anna’s house at the end of the 1st episode but definitely in the last shot of the second episode shows the kilter in play. While his actions don’t create empathy, it does show a focused mind however unhinged. The tension will just keep building and the noose will tighten but it is a matter of flipping the switch. And Morten Tyldum who also works on "Silo" knows that adapting requires those small details and cinematic flourishes that can elevate legacy material for the modern era. B+
By Tim Wassberg
