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Primal Fear |  | Director: Gregory Hoblit
Actors: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, John Mahoney, Frances McDormand
Studio: Paramount
Category: Movie
Buy New: $2.99
as of 9/9/2010 10:26 CDT details
Seller: Amazon Video On Demand
Rating:  121 reviews
Sales Rank: 4499
Genre: Drama
Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: Video On Demand
Running Time: 131 Minutes
ASIN: B0032KLAKE
Theatrical Release Date: April 2, 1996
Release Date: January 22, 2010
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Synopsis:
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. |
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| Customer Reviews:
 Great thriller. June 24, 2010
Brian Nallick (Mpls, MN)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I saw this movie a long time ago and decided to refresh my memory.
I'm glad I did as this movie has stood up fairly well over time.
I'll keep it short.
The good?
Superb performances from Gere, Linney and especially Norton.
Norton simply steals the show as the simple altar boy.
Great direction.
Excellent score.
The bad?
Considering I saw this a back when it came out the ending really didn't surprise me, I did kind of, sort of remember it.
For those who haven't it is a definite "WOW" ending.
So I really can't knock it for already knowing it lol.
That aside, this movie is as perfect as thrillers get.
Highly recommended.
 5-star movie, 4-star Blu Ray June 2, 2010
J. R. Russ (Sherwood, OR USA)
Primal Fear is an amazing movie with an amazing performance by a very young, and still new-to-movies Edward Norton. The standard DVD has been part of our library for many years, and when I saw the Blu Ray version was out and so reasonably priced, I had to make an exception to my "don't replace" policy and bought the HD version.
Watching it again, I'm struck by just how believable the characters are. While the movie is technically a murder-mystery, it's really the character study of the lost boy that drives it. Edward Norton is simply perfect in the role. You accept the character, feel for him, and are shocked my him, all at the same time. Richard Gere is fine form, and brings a combination of raw ambition and sincere believability to his role. The chemistry between the two is hard to match.
The Blu Ray is a good upgrade in picture quality. It's not perfect, but it's an older movie. The studio avoids doing too much noise reduction, so you do get some film grain. But I always find that preferable to soft edges and blurred textures.
If you have the standard DVD, should you upgrade? I'm glad I did. At the price, it's hard to beat, and is giving me a new round of appreciation for a truly suspenseful movie!
Before this, and after this April 6, 2010
D. K. Greer (Columbus, OH)
This is one of those experiences that leave a mark on your life. One of the most under-recognized but significant movies, Primal Fear lifts the fog of blissful ignorance, and reveals the fact that evil does in fact exist in some people. Be on your guard, lest you, like Marty (Richard Gere), become an unwitting accomplice to it. Arm yourself to recognize it. Watch Primal Fear.
Primal Fear March 3, 2010
Arnita D. Brown (USA)
An arrogant, high-powered attorney takes on the case of a poor altar boy found running away from the scene of the grisly murder of the bishop who has taken him in. The case gets a lot more complex when the accused reveals that there may or may not have been a third person in the room during the murder. The intensity builds when a surprise twist alters everyone's perception of the crime and what really happened. In this strong, twisting court room crime drama thriller, a young Edward Norton shines with this performance that makes the movie a strong, unsettling movie. The dynamic tension between Richard Gere and Laura Linney lends to the underlying swirling dance of political and emotional turmoil that lies beneath the surface of District Attorney and high-profile attorney Gere. This is a solid courtroom crime drama with a nice ripping ending. If you enjoy an engaging and involving thriller with surprises, this is the movie for you.
It was in this movie...... December 18, 2009
Rachel Santory (Kennewick, WA United States)
I do love a good mystery with many plot twists. In this day and age the plot twists you may see coming, but the performance by the actors is very awesome. It was in this movie that I first came to LOVE Edward Norton, and Edward worth getting all excited about (stupid vamp). The man's talent has only grown with every passing movie. So if you like this genre of movie, I highly recommend it. :)
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