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Lunch » Tags » Movies » Reviews » Primal Fear (1996 movie)

Primal Fear (1996 movie)

5 Ratings: 4.0

A movie

Clever twists and a bona fide surprise ending make this an above-average courtroom thriller, tapping into the post-O.J. scrutiny of our legal system in the case of a hotshot Chicago defense attorney (Richard Gere) whose latest client is an altar boy … see full wiki

Tags: Movies, Drama Movies, Action Movies

Cast: Maura Tierney, Laura Linney, Frances McDormand, Joe Spano, Tony Plana, Robert Jordan, see all

Director: Gregory Hoblit

Genre: Drama

Release Date: April 3, 1996

MPAA Rating: R

4 reviews about Primal Fear (1996 movie)

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review by KonaCat. January 02, 2009

"Your job is to sit there and look innocent."

The archbishop of Chicago has just been brutally murdered and 19-year old altar boy Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton) is found running from the scene, covered in the man's blood. It looks like an open and shut case against the simple, stuttering boy, until dashing Martin Vail (Richard Gere), a self-proclaimed "big-deal lawyer," offers to defend him - pro bono. The prosecutor he'll be facing in the courtroom is none other than his ex-girlfriend (Laura Linney), who is still bitter about their past. With … more

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review by cyclone_march. December 31, 2007

posted in Movie Hype

Norton, Linney, and Gere shine

Pros: Acting, engaging story Cons: Pacing, somewhat flat characters that would have failed with less skilled actors The Bottom Line: No plot spoilers in the review. Recommended without reservation. Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie''s plot. Lately I’ve been on a Laura Linney kick. Due to this, I rediscovered a film I haven’t seen since its release: … more

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review by tomtom13. May 02, 2006

posted in Movie Hype

What Mask Do You Wear?

In PRIMAL FEAR, Richard Gere plays high-powered attorney Martian Vail. Vail is a defense attorney and one of the highest paid lawyers in the country. He has a reputation for getting guilty people off the hook, whether it is by emotion or technicality. Sometimes the accused are actually innocents, but the media never seems to recognize that. Besides, many of Vail's trial have been huge public trials full of media circuses. So when Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton), an innocent-looking, stuttering altar … more

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review by gradyharp. July 06, 2002

Better the second time around

PRIMAL FEAR is one of those rare movies that improves with age. Not that it wasn't a fine film when released: the complexities of the story took front seat as well they should. After not having to figure out how the interplay is going to work, it is a pleasure to sit and just respect the fine casting, writing, directing, editing and acting. Richard Gere once again proves he is a taut actor, Laura Linney gives an Oscar worthy performance, of course Edward Norton is a tour de force performance, but … more

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