Genres

Visitors Review

cdepetro 2012-05-24 19:08:40

Plot not spectacular, Norton is

This is a movie that combines fascinating character development in acourtroom setting, and it does so very well, though not spectacularly.The lead characters are very good in this movie, though I may disagreewiththe analysis that the plot itself was supurb (it was not). Evaluating anyacting is difficult with Norton on the same screen. He truly is terrific,and viewing this shortly after seeing "The Score", makes for a fascinatingway to see his growth.Gere's character did not really go anywhere in this film, though he doesplay the role well, the growth is not present. His explanation for hisactions is not sufficient, and the reality is the courtroom portion of themovie is fairly generic and somewhat uninteresting. Taking the scriptwithout the acting, this movie would certainly not rank as high as itdoes.While, in some cases, the role makes the actor, it is indeed the oppositeinthis film.Overall, a good watch, if only to see Norton's breakthrough performance.Igive it a 7/10

2012-05-24 09:04:56

2.5 stars out of 4

The Bottom Line:A ridiculous courtroom drama that falls back on every cliche (including multiple personalities, for the love of Pete), Primal Fear hums merrily along but it's by no means a good movie.

2012-05-23 04:34:13

A rare movie which has an ending which makes you think

PRimal Fear is normally a movie which I would stay away from. I thought it was just another one of those wanna-be thriller movies. ITS DIFFERENT. It explores the phonemon about split-personlality and has an ending which completely puts the icing on the cake for this fabulous story about murder, greed and vulnerability.

2012-05-22 13:00:22

Would you believe

Would you believe I just saw this two weeks ago? I was blown away. Ed Norton in what appears to be one of his first movies, could still very well be one of his best performances. I hated Richard Gere the entire movie, but seeing Ed Norton fumbling, and stuttering, and well... acting. Brilliant. This re-confirmed the fact that he's one of the best actors of our time. I completely and totally recommend this movie. You will be SHOCKED.

Michael DeMaria 2012-05-22 03:40:58

Wow...

I finished watching Primal Fear for the first time about ten minutes agoandwow is one of the only words to have come out of my mouth. I don'tcommenton many movies but this one is by far one of the most underrated movies Ihave ever seen. Edward Norton, who no doubt is one of the most talentedmenalive, stole the screen in this crime drama about the alleged murder oftheArchbishop of Chicago by an alter boy (Norton). The case is picked up byadefense lawyer (Gere) who was formerly employed as a prosecutor for thestate of Illinois. The state prosecutor on the case (Linney) wasintimatelyinvolved with Gere's character.This movie does not have a boring predictable story line up to the onetwistat the end. The twist at the end is just icing on the cake with thiscleverfilm. Richard Gere's performance was outstanding. I am not a RichardGerefan and I have no respect for him because of Runaway Bride (I still can'tbelieve that anyone as talented as him could do such a film).If you haven't seen this movie you must. This is a great movie I give ita10 out of 10

2012-05-21 11:29:54

Unbelievable Ending!

Although Primal Fear can be slow moving at times, because of the many court scenes...it is an amazing movie. Edward Norton is a wonderful actor, and fully represents this within the movie. It is amazing how his character develops from the beginning of the movie to the end. And what amazes me even more is how he plays a stuttering preacher boy, and later on plays a nazi full of hate a few years later in American History X. Primal Fear is a must see movie! Norton and Richard Gere develop true chemistry through out the entire movie. And although the movie is slow moving, the ending leaves you speechless and wanting more.

bob the moo 2012-05-18 19:20:05

Full of holes but still enjoyable and inventive

When an altar boy, Aaron Stampler, is accused of murdering a priest, themedia-friendly, arrogant lawyer Martin Vail takes the case (and theheadlines). However he discovers that the boy is not all he seems andthatthere may have been a third person in the room when the priest wasmurdered.However his plea is fixed and he must work the case to turn things backtohis advantage.Years ago, the UK did a day where the Government subsidised cinemas toofferall tickets for £1. On that day I had nothing I wanted to see but Ithought(like thousands other) that a saving of £3 (at the time) was too good tomiss, so I went to see this film despite my caution when it comes tocourtroom thrillers. The plot here is so very full of holes that it is awonder that the whole film doesn't fall into itself, however it just aboutmanages to succeed by being quite clever and significantly different fromthe usual courtroom stuff (although it does still have the same faults asthe rest of the genre).The film is a lot darker than many courtroom thrillers; first of all, Vailis not a sympathetic character - he is arrogant and conceited, and thefilmnever really offers him redemption at any point. Likewise the climax ofthefilm is not the usual genre twist - or rather, it is, but not in the usualway. The film's main weakness however is that it is at least 20 minutestoolong. The revelations about Roy happen but then are forgotten for about10minutes and then raised again before being put aside again. I reallycan'teven understand why the film feels so padded at points in the middle whenreally that was when the Roy thing kicks in and the film should havesteppedup a gear in a flash. That it doesn't is a problem, but not aninsurmountable one, as it does slowly get faster towards a downbeatconclusion that is enjoyably different from the usual Perry Mason styletwist (although it is a twist).I'm by no means a Richard Gere fan, but he does a very good job here. Henever wants to be a good guy here and he plays it well. However the filmisdriven by a great performance from Norton, marking himself out as one towatch in coming years. His dual roles are great and the film would havefailed if he hadn't been able to carry it off. The support cast issurprisingly deep with people who were either well-known at the time orbecame famous later. When a cast includes Mahoney, McDormand, Woodard,Linney, Seda, and Braugher then it is worth a look - although some of themhave very small roles there are no weak links. However it is a credit toNorton that he stands shoulder to shoulder with all of them and is the onethat sticks in the mind long after it finishes.Overall this is an enjoyable courtroom thriller that only struggles in themiddle with an inability to really just let rip. It's ironic, but Ienjoyedit because it was less showy and so on when compared to others of thegenre,but it could have benefited from knowing when to let go sooner. Howeverthecast is top notch and the unlikely plot is held together by a low key Gereand a fantastic central performance(s) from Norton.

2012-05-18 09:54:32

Great movie but....

This review is from: Primal Fear (DVD) DVD made in another country and I had to watch it on my computer as it would not play in the DVD player.

2012-05-17 08:36:10

R. Gere

This review is from: Primal Fear (DVD) I'm a fan of Richard Gere and enjoyed the twist at the end of this movie. Was really surprised at the performance of a young Edward Norton. Seems to drag in the middle but watch out for the ending.

tabuno 2012-05-16 09:36:08

Edward Norton Shines

In this strong, twisting court room crime drama thriller, a youngEdward Norton shines with this performance that makes the movie astrong, unsettling movie. The dynamic tension between Richard Gere andLaura Linney lends to the underlying swirling dance of political andemotional turmoil that lies beneath the surface of District Attorneyand high-profile attorney Gere. While by today's standards (2006) thestoryline is now pretty typical, it retains a resonance because of theplot and storyline as well as the acting. Still, the edges of the movieare almost too polished. Some of the technical matters overlooked.Alfre Woodard has a credible role as the courtroom judge and FrancesMcDormand provides a decent hand as a psychologist (though this keyrole was a bit weak in comparison to the rest of the movie in terms ofthe crucial nature that it plays). Gere's tangled relationship with hisown team is also fascinating to watch though again a bit torn andtattled with a few lose ends but the supporting cast does well.Overall, this is a solid courtroom crime drama with a nice rippingending. Eight out of Ten Stars.

Alex_Blanchett 2012-05-15 22:50:02

The Edward Norton show

Okay, Okay, yes, I admit it, it´s hard but I do: Richard Gere WAS good inthis one. but that says nothing! He just had a good `day' . Anyway hetotally got stolen the show by Edward Norton anyway who gave a superbperformance as Aaron Stampler who should have killed a priest, Gere playshis lawyer who tries to promisse his innocent, what isn´t easy since Aaronwas found covered with blood in the room of the killed priest.It was Edward Norton´s first movie he was chosen out of 500 people and itwas one of the best choices a casting director could have done because heorshe found one of the very best actors of recent cinema! I can´t believe Edlost his Oscar to Cuba Gooding Jr, who was good but nothing more, nocomparision to Norton´s play.The movie itself is very solid done, it had some very boring phases, butthank god the actors save it with great performances. And I am glad thereare a lot of twists and big surprises created. So the screenplay was verygood, thumbs up for that. The movie is basing on a book ( well it was alawmovie, that isn´t basing on a Grisham novel but on a novel by anotherauthor, that IS something special ) the story was original yes, at somepoints at least that´s what I liked. Always when I think about this movieIsee Norton´s innocent child face whioch is probably the best evidence forhis brilliantness, a totlaly newcomer could `sell' could lead a moviehimself, without him it just had become an average thriller like there aremillions out there, it is hard to imagine this movie without him because Ican´t see another actor who could have played his part.Again, thank god for this casting director ! 8/10

ajmy 2012-05-15 11:19:57

A big thumbs up for a slightly neglected movie

A little gem this. Turned me on to Edward Norton's work big time as herides the line between powerful and pure ham and holds it right on the edge.Richard Gere features in yet another predictable role and does no more thana professional job, but that's really all that's required as this is easilyNorton's vehicle all the way. A top drawer sting in the tail rounds thisone off a treat. Worthy of Hitch himself, I'd say, and eminently easy towatch.

2012-05-09 12:08:09

A Great Movie That Plays With Your Head

This movie is excellent. Norton became one of my favorite actors in this movie, which is actually similar to his role in Fight Club (another excellent movie). If you think you have this one figured out, you'll be in for a surprise....MUST SEE!

Darkfalz 2012-05-09 03:16:22

Unoriginal and predictable

*** SPOILER WARNING ***From the first moment Edward Norton unconvincingly faked his stutter, I knewhow this movie would end. I especially knew it the first time his "alternatepersonality" revealed itself.Edward Norton is a very overrated actor, perhaps because he has a lisppeople think he's delivering lines realistically or something, and if anyonethinks it's difficult to act like a stuttering oaf one moment, and like apsychotic the next, they should realise that this is probably the easiesttype of acting there is because your character is so obvious and welldefined, all you have to do is go through the motions.Anyway, despite knowing how this would end, it was watchable. You knew theintended "surprise ending" was coming because up to that point, everythinghad gone pretty much how you'd have expected. So a tuned in movie viewer atthis point expects the surprise ending, even if anyone with half a brainhadn't worked it out for themselves. Besides, they always try to pull thatkind of jarring of your emotions after what you think was a happy andsatisfying ending.Acting deserves no mention, this is a court drama and court dramas neverrequire a lot of acting ability, and Richard Gere has never really been morethan the mature version of a Leonardo DiCaprio (ie. someone to attractfemale viewers, who obviously don't see movies for theplot).I should mention this plot has been done many times before (and donebetter), in movies like Just Cause, so anyone who found this surprising andoriginal obviously hasn't seen many movies. It was at least good to see thepretty unlikable character (unless you're a shallow female) played by Gereto more or less get his just desserts in the end.4/10

Dean Anthony 2012-04-30 01:47:34

Superb performances in a film overly-hyped for it's plot twists

SPOILER WARNING!Countless reviewers before me have praised the performances of cast. Agreed- Norton, Linney, Gere, and company do a superb job in their roles. Although the film suffers from a wealth of annoying inconsistencies andfails to explain many of the significant plot holes, it is forgiven by thecasual viewer because of it's compelling storyline. Rather that botherasking "why?" the viewer is content to accept and instead ask "what next?"The film is admittedly clever, though not totally original. (I believe I sawthis film 10-15 years ago when it was called "Jagged Edge.") Since manybefore me have already spoiled the ending (consequently ruining the film forwould-be first-time viewers), I admit that the twist was well executed. Theonly problem is this: It goes without saying that the point of a surpriseending is to shock the audience. When everything you hear about the filmmakes reference to its "shocking twist at the end," then the effect is lost. How can you surprise someone when they already expect the shocking twist? I think most people already knew exactly how it would end within the firsthour or so. I realize that this is criticism not against the film itself,but against the marketing folks. There are many films which rely on asurprise ending (I will refrain from naming any of them), but if theaudience expects the surprise in the end, then the effect of the surprise isjeopardized.

2012-04-29 21:47:23

primal fear

This review is from: Primal Fear (Hard Evidence Edition) [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) I had to order this movie in the USA for the reason that.... You can't find this movie in Europe ! One of my favourites movies. Two great actors Richard Gere and Edward Norton and an surprising end. My girlfriend and I enyod the whole 130 minutes !!

2012-04-23 11:25:30

EXCELLENT SUSPENSE

A. Hitchcock style - Ed Norton stole the movie. Suspense that keeps you hooked. Will tell no more as I would not want to give away anything for someone who has not seen!

Bandit1974 2012-04-22 20:28:42

Norton's Explosive Debut

I understand that we all have different tastes when it comes to moviesand that we all see greatness in a variety of ways. I will be the firstto admit that I was totally lost when watching the Matrix and possessabsolutely no desire to sit through the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. I amnot trying to take anything away from those movies because I alsounderstand that a large percent of the movie viewing population see theMatrix and LOTR trilogies as masterpieces.That being said, it is beyond me why Primal Fear never made it to morepeople's "best" or "greatest" lists. It has received positive ratingson this website, but overall the movie enjoyed very quiet success. Thismovie is spectacular from start to finish. The ending is a doozy andEdward Norton's performance is Oscar worthy. Not only did hisperformance blind side me (who the hell is this guy?), but it was alsoa sign of great things to come from Edward Norton. He is one of ourgreatest actors.The plot, an altar boy is accused of murdering a priest who as it turnsout was molesting him, seems even more relevant 10 years later than itdid in 1996. That is the basic plot, but there are so many subplots andside stories about political corruption and cover ups that make for oneincredibly satisfying story.The performances are top notch all the way down the cast. Richard Gere,Laura Linney, John Mahoney, Steven Bauer and even Terry O' Quinn turnin stellar performances. The movie takes place in Chicago and I believeit perfectly captures what I consider to be the Chicago mood orattitude (I live in a western suburb of Chicago).Of course the movie is about more than an altar boy who may or may nothave committed murder and political corruption. The movie's centralcharacter, Martin Vail (Gere), is a defense attorney who because of hishigh profile cases enjoys a minor celebrity status. His name is alwaysin the newspapers and his face is always on the TV news. He can't getenough of this attention either. Martin is a great defense attorney,but he's definitely too arrogant for his own good. When a reporterasks, "When do you realize you have them? When do you realize you'vewon?" Vail responds without giving it much thought, "The minute Iaccept the case." I saw this movie for the first time when it was released in thetheaters. A lot of movies promise a "truly shocking ending" and that"THIS movie will keep you guessing until the very end." The trailersfor Primal Fear said none of that. Sitting in the theater there was noexpectation on my part for a twist ending. Perhaps that is why duringits initial viewing it was more shocking to me than even the twist inThe Sixth Sense. With The Sixth Sense you KNEW there was something tofigure so for two hours that is exactly what you did. You tried tofigure it out. Primal Fear's ending totally sucker punched me. Thetwist isn't revealed until the final minute or two of the movie, so upuntil the minute it is revealed the viewer honestly trusts everythingthey have just seen. There are no hints that what you are being toldmay not be true. It's a masterpiece. Hitchcock would have loved it andit's Edward Norton's performance that really makes it work.

edstar_85 2012-04-18 07:32:39

Great Film, Fantastic Finale

When i first watched this, I hadn't heard of it, and to me it seemed likeanother Hollywood glamorisation of a court case. But by the end of themovie, i thought it was quite fantastic. Why? Well two reasons; the firstbeing the acting is good throughout, especially Edward Norton, who excelsinhis first film. The other being that the ending is utterly sublime, it's atwist that changes everything you've just watched before, resembling theclassic twist in The Usual Suspects. This film is definitely worthwatchingwhen you have a chance, especially for the ending.

dbdumonteil 2012-04-18 00:31:09

an excellent thriller

A young stammerer man, "Aaron" (Edward Norton) is accused of murder. Alawyer, "Marty Vail" (Richard Gere) decides to defend him because he'scompletely convinced of the innocence of his client. He's not out of thewoods...Yes, American film-makers are generally keen on filming trials but in thismovie, the film-maker Gregory Hoblit succeeds in making the trial entrancingand fascinating and in increasing the spectator's curiosity. Besides, thesequences that take place in the court are the best ones of themovie.The movie also enjoys a good performance. To start, obviously with RichardGere, very at ease in his role of lawyer, even if by moments, he's goingover the top. But he isn't the main center of the movie. This place goesdefinitely to Edward Norton,, the discovery of the movie. For his very firstrole in the cinema, he showed talent and conviction.But "Primal Fear" is also a movie that gives back credibility to thethriller because Hoblit introduces here, all the usual ingredients: a murderis committed, a suspect presumed guilty, the apparition of revealing cluesthat make the story progress and of course, the inevitable trial. The setgives a suspense skilfully lead thanks to a rich and clever screenplay thatleads the plot towards an amazing conclusion.At last, one of the last trends of these last few years is to surprise thespectator by introducing in the screenplay, an element that can challengethe whole movie. "Primal Fear" is a good example. Indeed, the end of themovie is absolutely unexpected...Perhaps, the only mistake that the scriptwriters made was to sketch a loveaffair between Gere and the public prosecutor. I think a situation like thisone doesn't lend itself to a rather gloomy story. Nevertheless, this is anexcellent thriller and one of the best movies made in 1996