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Crime, Drama, Thriller 130 min R
Rotten Tomatoes77%Metacritic47IMDb
Sooner or later, a man who wears two faces forgets which one is real.
Defense attorney Martin Vail takes on jobs for money and prestige rather than any sense of the greater good. His latest case involves an altar boy, accused of brutally murdering the archbishop of Chicago. Vail finds himself up against his ex-pupil and ex-lover, but as the case progresses and the Church's dark secrets are revealed, Vail finds that what appeared a simple case takes on a darker, more dangerous aspect.
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Bleak, meticulous, overwhelming and contemporary.
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Written by TMDB members; each links to the original. Not part of Taste Buds's numbers.
Summary: 8/10: a tightly constructed thriller anchored by two exceptional performances, with twists that genuinely surprise and a darkness that lingers long after the credits roll. The narrative is superb. This is an awesome courtroom drama with twists and turns that keep the suspense moving forward relentlessly. Director Gregory Hoblit, working from William Diehl's novel and a screenplay by Steve Shagan and Ann Biderman, maintains excellent pacing throughout. The film never drags, never feels manipulative, and earns every revelation. Richard Gere and Edward Norton are phenomenal in their roles here. Gere plays Martin Vail, the hotshot defense attorney who takes high-profile cases for money and prestige, with just the right mix of arrogance and underlying decency. He's perfectly cast as the cynical lawyer who thinks he's seen everything, who believes he can't be surprised anymore. And then there's Edward Norton, in his film debut, as Aaron Stampler, the altar boy accused of brutally murdering the Archbishop of Chicago. Norton delivers what can only be described as a star-making performance, one that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Watching him now,
Read the whole review on TMDBI was never the greatest fan of Richard Gere, but this is certainly one of his better performances. He is cocky lawyer "Vail", adept at ensuring his criminal fraternity clients evade justice. When the shocking news that an archbishop has been savagely murdered is announced, he decides on a bit of pro-bono work to defend the young "Aaron" (Ed Norton) against the prosecuting skills of his ex-girlfriend "Janet" (Laura Linney). As the courtroom drama unfolds, though, we soon establish that there are undertones that call into question not just who did what to whom, but also the integrity of the victim and of many of his well-connected associates. The film belongs to Norton, though. As his character develops, with the assistance of probing psychologist "Molly" (Frances McDormand), we discover that there are quirks to his character that this actor delivers superbly. So much falls into place in the last ten minutes, or so, before a denouement that is both unexpected and perversely quite fitting. It is a bit too long, and takes maybe half an hour before it starts to simmer; but once the plot starts to advance in earnest, this becomes a superior crime thriller with twists, turns and strong p
Read the whole review on TMDBPrimal Fear is a masterclass in tension, turning a courtroom drama into a high-stakes thriller under Gregory Hoblit’s sharp direction. Then there’s Edward Norton, in his very first role, who makes such an impression it’s no surprise he went on to win over 15 awards including a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. Playing Aaron, a timid altar boy with hidden depths. Richard Gere holds his own as the slick defense lawyer, Norton’s layered acting and the intense chemistry between them make this movie unforgettable. Primal Fear goes beyond a typical courtroom drama, serving up suspense, stellar performances, and production.
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35 profiled raters. Loved most by The Sinceres; disliked most by The Omnivores.
If you loved this film, the television, the book, the music, the game.
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