The character of Max Cady represents a truly outstanding villain for Robert De Niro, primarily because he captured the essence of someone who is both criminal and surprisingly layered – cold, violent, utterly ruthless, yet possessing wit and charm that allowed him to manipulate Danielle Bowden (Juliette Lewis) by posing as her drama teacher with remarkable skill. Martin Scorsese’s *Cape Fear* centers on a man driven to vengeance after enduring imprisonment, believing Attorney Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte) failed to adequately defend him. The film unfolds effectively, maintaining suspense through startling occurrences. The remake of *Cape Fear*, made years later and benefiting from technological progress and greater resources, is in certain respects superior to the 1962 original starring Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck. De Niro’s depiction of Max Cady is undeniably chilling; he meticulously devised a plan for retribution against Bowden, even studying law while incarcerated so he could exploit legal loopholes and remain beyond the reach of justice. It's often striking to witness an actor’s dedication to their craft. For his role as Max Cady, Robert De Niro spent $5,000 having a dentist alter his teeth to appear more menacing, then another $20,000 to restore them afterward. While De Niro’s performance was certainly impressive, it's important to acknowledge the considerable talent of Peck and Mitchum as well.

Source on TMDB