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Primal Fear

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Primal Fear (1996)

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Reviews Counted:40

Fresh:30

Rotten:10

Average Rating:6.7/10

Runtime: 2 hrs 10 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: In Chicago, an Archbishop has been brutally murdered, and a sweet-faced altar boy named Aaron -- who was seen fleeing the scene of the crime and whose clothes were soaked in blood -- is charged... In Chicago, an Archbishop has been brutally murdered, and a sweet-faced altar boy named Aaron -- who was seen fleeing the scene of the crime and whose clothes were soaked in blood -- is charged with the crime. Aaron claims he was present when the murder occurred, but that he is not the killer. Coming to Aaron's rescue in this high-profile case is Martin Vail, a cocky lawyer who loves the media's spotlight as much as he loves his job. The legal road ahead of Martin and Aaron is filled with many obstacles, including a very determined prosecuting attorney (who's Martin's ex-lover), revelations about the Archbishop's "relationship" with the altar boys, and Aaron himself, who has a very violent, repugnant second personality named Roy. Is Aaron/Roy guilty? Or is he taking the fall for someone else? [More]

Starring: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, John Mahoney

Starring: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard, Frances McDormand, Andre Braugher, Maura Tierney

Director: Gregory Hoblit

Director: Gregory Hoblit
Screenwriter: Steve Shagan, Ann Biderman
Composer: James Newton Howard
Story: William Diehl
Producer: Gary Lucchesi

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Mar 10, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • A high-profile slaying becomes the case of an ambitious attorney's career in this legal thriller based on the novel by William Diehl. Richard Gere stars as Martin Vail, a famed defense lawyer who volunteers his services to Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton), a Kentucky teenager charged with the murder of a Chicago archbishop. Covered with blood, Aaron was captured after a foot chase broadcast live on TV, making a gleeful Vail certain that he could raise his profile by defending the obviously guilty suspect. Assigned to prosecute is Assistant District Attorney Janet Venable (Laura Linney), who is Vail's ex-girlfriend. Vail's case becomes more complicated than he expected when a psychologist, Dr. Molly Arrington (Frances McDormand) concludes that Stampler suffers from multiple personality disorder. Vail also uncovers evidence that the archbishop was involved in a corrupt land scheme and may have molested young parishioners. Now the cynical, opportunistic attorney is faced with a daunting prospect, a client who may actually deserve his best defense. Its shocking, twist ending made Primal Fear (1996) a big box office hit and earned Norton, in his screen debut, an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
  • Source: Paramount Home Entertainment
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Primal Fear

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    An unfolding mystery in which truth is elusive, and twists are the order of the day...gives Norton a career-making opportunity to strut his stuff. [Blu-ray]

    Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
    06/19/09
    Peter Canavese
    Peter Canavese
    Groucho Reviews

    its heroes only heroes because they believe in order and not because they're capable of order's championing or restoration.

    Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
    04/01/09
    Walter Chaw
    Walter Chaw
    Film Freak Central

    Helped greatly by excellent performances from both of the film's leads, as well as the rounded supporting cast.

    Full Review Source: Movie Views | comment Comment
    03/26/09
    Ryan Cracknell
    Ryan Cracknell
    Movie Views

    The plot is engaging, the cast is exceptional, and Hoblit moves things along in commendably straightforward fashion. Very entertaining.

    Full Review Source: DVDTown.com | comment Comment
    03/05/09
    John J. Puccio
    John J. Puccio
    DVDTown.com

    Exhibits many of the genre's common weaknesses, but the fine acting of Edward Norton, Laura Linney and Richard Gere enables us to forgive them.

    Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
    02/25/09
    Brian Webster
    Brian Webster
    Apollo Guide
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    07/25/08
    Todd McCarthy
    Todd McCarthy
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Unfortunately, Primal Fear hasn't aged well; there are wrinkles and pockmarks all over its face.

    Full Review Source: Film and Felt | comment Comment
    12/29/07
    Gabe Leibowitz
    Gabe Leibowitz
    Film and Felt

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    07/29/07
    Neil Cohen
    Neil Cohen
    Echo Magazine

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    10/27/06
    Susan Granger
    Susan Granger
    www.susangranger.com
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    06/24/06
    Derek Adams
    Derek Adams
    Time Out

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    06/10/06
    Boyd van Hoeij
    Boyd van Hoeij
    european-films.net

    Ed Norton is out of this world in his break-out performance.

    comment Comment
    01/25/06
    Cole Smithey
    Cole Smithey
    ColeSmithey.com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    10/09/05
    Chuck O'Leary
    Chuck O'Leary
    Fantastica Daily

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    07/21/05
    Dan Jardine
    Dan Jardine
    Apollo Guide

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    07/13/05
    Emanuel Levy
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    06/28/05
    Nell Minow
    Nell Minow
    Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    02/18/05
    Todd Jorgenson
    Todd Jorgenson
    Denton Record Chronicle (TX)

    Memorable for Edward Norton's chilling debut.

    comment Comment
    02/17/05
    Jeffrey Westhoff
    Jeffrey Westhoff
    Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

    Works quite well as a mystery and as a courtroom drama.

    Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
    12/28/04
    Michael Dequina
    Michael Dequina
    TheMovieReport.com

    Bad movie, but Norton's performance makes it worth watching.

    comment Comment
    06/08/04
    Sarah Chauncey
    Sarah Chauncey
    Reel.com
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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