Martin Scorcese's movie CAPE FEAR, any lawyers seen that film or feel it is accurate?

[Mike 03]

This is very important to my family, so if anyone can help, it would be very hugely appreciated.

Thank you if you know.

If you don't, that is cool too.

[Orrex]

1. He probably wouldn't have been able to hold the road flare like that.

Especially when, a minute or two later, she sets him on fire and he totally freaks out screaming.

[rug]

2. Which part of it? Throwing the case or the stalking?

[Peregrine Took]

3. Its one of my favorite movies but I love the original more.

Here is the information about the first one.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055824/

[DefenseLawyer]

4. In what respect, Charlie?

That a lawyer would withhold evidence because he "knew" his client was "guilty"? While that violates our oath and the standards of ethics we must follow, I'm sure it happens more often than I care to think about. There are plenty of people taking criminal cases, retained or appointed, that have no real passion for, or more importantly no abstract understanding of our system of justice and the role they play in it.

That a psycho would blame his lawyer for the result in his case and attack him and his family on a houseboat? Less likely, but I'm sure that's happened as well, although probably not on a houseboat.

[gmoney]

5. well, it can be tough to keep someone from menacing you or your family

As I understand it, you have to be able to provide a judge evidence of actual threats or physical danger, and even then, it's kind of iffy.

And a restraining order is just a legal construct that provides for punishment if violated -- it's not a force field that keeps the bad guys away. It's only effective if the person feels they have something to lose if they get arrested, and if there's a chance that the person will be arrested before any harm can be done.

Sorry it's not a cheery answer, but even psychos have certain rights until they actually commit a crime, or can be demonstrated as a danger to others.

On edit: Not a lawyer

[MineralMan]

6. Juliette Lewis had her breakout role in that movie.

She was just a kid, but stole the show at one point.

I'm a big fan of hers. Her next great movies were Natural Born Killers and Gilbert Grape. An unsung star.