Extra Credit Critique of a film: “Cape Fear” Re: archetype of trickster

Archetype, Trickster and "Cape Fear"

I selected the film "Cape Fear" that featured the actor, Robert de Niro to discuss “Cinematic Archetypes” because it is a remarkable example for the archetype, Trickster.

The story is about a convicted rapist, released from prison after serving a 14-year sentence and stalks the family of the lawyer who originally defended him. This narrative begins with a simple plot but develops into a web of vengence and family values, which symbolizes the eminent “Trickster” as a genuine “Jungian Archetype” in this tale.

In this movie, I see the Trickster attempting to prove that everyone has skeletons in their closet. Bowden, the father, might appear to be a terrific lawyer and loving family man on the surface, but underneath the perfect image lays a cheating husband and corrupt lawyer. Therefore, the trickster takes over the character of the criminal and is the driving force that changes all the family members lives revealing to them the importance of practicing good family values (i.e. the father stops cheating, the teenage daughter stops acting out and the mother understands her role as mother and wife).

Also, I feel that Trickster shows in this film how powerful the emotion of revenge can be and how it can distort ones version of what is right and wrong. Trickster demonstrates this by showing Cady's, the criminal, knowledge of scripture and his acceptance of the terror that he is inflicting on the Bowden family. Ultimately, through all this dramatic and horrific experience the family awakens to the true importance of family values and unity.

In conclusion, the Trickster fathom still exits in modern times. He is the wise-fool. It is he, through his creations that destroy and points out the flaws in our carefully constructed lives in today´s societies. He exists to cause us to question not accept things blindly. He appears when a way of thinking becomes outmoded needs to be torn down and built anew. He is the Destroyer of Worlds at the same time the savior of us all.