Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant acting, story, everything.
Review: Usually, I stay away from courtroom dramas because they're the same thing over and over, but this one truly is different. The story may seem a little familiar if you've seen films of this nature before, but I can guarantee that as you continue to watch it, you'll see how well this movie rises above the rest.Making his first major debut, Edward Norton is nothing short if terrific in the role of Aaron. He was robbed of the Oscar for doing the great job that he did throughout. Richard Gere has never given a truly bad performance, but he does go a step above his usually sleepy-looking acting style by showing some good raw emotion. Andre Braugher has always been a great actor and will continue to be a great actor, and Laura Linney shows that she's always been a fine actress (nevermind the miserable CONGO). The direction by Gregory Hoblit is great and fast-paced and I recommend that you take a look at Hoblit's FALLEN if you liked this film. I cannot rave enough about the acting here, so I'll just stop now, but first I have to end by saying that throughout this slick film, it never gets bogged down in pretentiousness, as many courtroom thrillers do. You'll love this film all the way up until the true shocker of an ending.
Rating: 
Summary: THIS MOVIE SHOWS THE WIDE RANGE OF THE GREAT EDWARD NORTON.
Review: "Primal Fear" is an entertaining thriller with some plot twists, good performances and interesting story. But the best part of the movie is the Edward Norton performance, he steals the show from good actors every time he appears on the screen. The movie introduces a cynical, narcissist and ambitious famous lawyer Martin Vail, he is played by Richard Gere, and of course he has no problem with the role because Richard Gere is cynical, narcissist, ambitious and famous. Anyway, when Martin Vail watches on TV the arrest of a boy accused of the homicide of a Chicago archbishop, he immediately sees the opportunity of raise his profile by defending the boy. Then he meets Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton), a quiet and harmless boy; then the lawyer realizes that Aaron is innocent. After that, the movie becomes an entertaining thriller / mystery / courtroom drama, with some plot twists, interesting characters and revelations. But the most interesting part is to see all the changes and emotions that Edward Norton prints in his character; he is just an amazing actor, his performance is by far the best in the movie. After this film, Norton delivered his best performance in American History X, and established himself as the best actor of his generation.
Rating:
Summary: Riveting Courtroom Drama!!!
Review: The story revolves around an alter boy named Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton) that is accused of murdering a priest. Media hungry lawyer Martin Vale (Richard Gere) sees it as the perfect opportunity to gain exposure and help his career. But as the events of the case unfold, he begins to care more about his client and proving his innocence. Martin is set to face off against the assistant D.A. ( Laura Linney), who is also an ex lover of his. With tension mounting on all sides, it is up to Martin to put his career aside, and find the truth. Primal Fear is one of the best courtroom dramas that you will ever see. The story unfolds brilliantly. You are never quite sure if Aaron is guilty or innocent, and you will be guessing for the whole movie. The ending is my favorite aspect of the movie because of how shocking it was. It is definately not your typical Hollywood ending. The acting is wonderful all the way around. Edward Norton's portrayal of Aaron Stampler is amazing. It takes talent to be able to play both roles so convincingly. One is the sweet and innocent altar boy that is innocent of the crime. The other is the split personality induced madman named Roy. Norton turns both roles on at the drop of a hat, and it is really fun to see. Richard Gere was the perfect choice for Martin Vale. You see two sides to the character as the film unfolds. One is the cocky and selfish lawyer who only cares about his career. The other is the man who comes to care about Aaron. Gere does a great job on both ends. Laura Linney is explosive. Her scenes as the prosecutor are filled with passion and energy. There is also great chemistry between her and Gere because they are ex lovers. I love that aspect of the film, because the case becomes more personal to both of them. Whether Aaron is really guilty or innocent becomes almost secondary to them, because they seem to be more concerned with beating each other. Frances McDormand is also outstanding as Aaron's psychologist Dr. Molly Arrington. I have seen many courtroom dramas, but "Primal Fear" is definately one of the best. The hard hitting and emotional story, great all around acting, and surprising ending really make this movie great. The DVD does not really have much in the way of extras, so I recommend going with the VHS version in this case.
Rating:
Summary: GEREAT MOVIE!
Review: First off, "Primal Fear" is an excellent movie, and shows why Richard Gere is such an underrated actor. His performance as Marty Vail is right on target, and is probably the best work he has done in films. Laura Linney, Andre Braugher and Frances McDormand were top notch as well. Even Alfre Woodard's minor role as the judge was brilliant. And of course, we can't overlook the Oscar-nominated performance of Edward Norton. I don't remember who won, but Norton should have. It's an understated, complex performance. Notice his eyes when he's the soft and gentle Aaron; then notice them again when Roy emerges. What a stunning turnabout!
Now, if you've read William Diehl's book upon which this movie is based, you have the distinct benefit of understanding a lot more about Stampler's background and driving forces. Unfortunately, the movie could not provide a real motivation for Stampler's murder of the archbishop. If the movie has shortcoming, it's that it never really explains why Aaron killed him. And the book has a lot more involving the alternate Roy that also helps deepen the complexity of Aaron/Roy. The chilling ending, however, in both the book and the movie, still packs a tremendous wallop. If you liked this movie, read the entire Marty Vail series by Diehl; if you think Aaron was bad in this one, wait till you see what he does in the future!
Oh, by the way, Gere and Linney's relationship was one of the most honest I've seen in some while; wish we could have seen more of why they really had "split," so to speak.
A great movie, though.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible Movie! Edward Norton is Unbelievable!
Review: PRIMAL FEAR is one of those movies where anything can happen, and often does. This eerie and intriguing tale of the murder of an archbishop and the trial of the accused choir boy is directed with skill and dexterity by Gregory Hoblit. Martin Vale is a famous defense lawyer who takes it upon himself to defend the supposed murdering choir boy simpleton Aaron Stampler. His former lover Janet will be the prosecutor against him in this all important trial. Martin may think he has everything figured out, but he soon discovers the terrible secret behind the innocent face of Aaron. Richard Gere and Laura Linney give superior performances as Martin and Janet, as well as John Mahoney and Frances Mcdormand in their supporting roles. The real story is Edward Norton's incredible performance as Aaron. He received an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actor for his role. I am now officially a huge Ed Norton Fan! I would love to give away the secret behind Aaron, but you've got to see it to believe it! Amazing Movie!
Rating:
Summary: A more than solid thriller, with a twist
Review: When I had first laid eyes on Primal Fear on pay-per-view years ago I had first dismissed at as another Hollywood who-done-it courtroom drama with no originality. And was I ever wrong. Primal Fear may seem like something you've seen before, but the clever, highly intelligent, and twisting script makes the film soar to unexpected heights, and Edward Norton's breakout performace as murder suspect Aaron has to be seen to be believed (Norton would receive a Golden Globe and his first Oscar Nomination for Best Supporting Actor which Cuba Gooding Jr. ended up winning for Jerry Maguire). Richard Gere has the starring role playing Norton's lawyer who seems to be the only one who believes Norton's innocence. With a super twist ending and a superb all star cast which includes Laura Linney, Frances McDormand, Steve Bauer, John Mahoney, Maura Tierney, and Andre Braugher, Primal Fear is a near superb little gem that I strongly suggest seeing.
Rating:
Summary: Primal Fear (1996)
Review: Director: Gregory Hoblit
Cast: Richard Gere, Edward Norton, Laura Linney, John Mahoney, Alre Woodard, Frances McDormand.
Running Time: 130 minutes.
Rated R for language, perverse sexual situations, and some violence. Rarely is a psychological thriller/courtroom drama so intense, intellectual, and mind-blowing. "Primal Fear" is an excellent adaptation of the William Diehl bestselling novel, using a stupendous cast, an equally riveting screenplay by Steve Shagan and Ann Biderman, and fine direction from virtually unknown Gregory Hoblit. Red herrings and duplicitous plot twists are woven tightly into the film about a hotshot defense attorney named Martin Vail (Richard Gere) who goes looking for the limelight and finds it filled with shadows. When a popular archBishop is brutally murdered in his illustrious home, a terrifyed young altar boy (in an exceptional, eerie role by newcomer Edward Norton--who would later become a star because of the film)is arrested as a suspect and held into custody. Due to the magnitude of the case, Vail leeches onto it and decides to defend the young man. Little does he know that he will uncover a viper's nest of corruption, pit him against a prosectuor (Laura Linney in a fine role) who happens to be his ex-lover, and hope to find the truth of a case that tests his will and win-at-all-costs attitude. Gere is stupendous as the fame-hungry, confident lawyer, while Norton steals the film as he reveals the inner demons of the poor suspect. "Primal Fear" is one of the most well-made thrillers of the 1990's and is a film that emphasizes what is right and wrong about our judicial system, questions the legitimacy of the courtroom, and taps into a fear of the psychological unknown. A finale that will, if nothing else, shock you and make you think. An absolutely great drama.
Rating:
Summary: "Aaron" " Roy"
Review: Edward Norton Superb, Stunning, Amazing! You will be impressed with the job he does in Primal Fear.
Aaron Stampler (Norton)is accused of murdering a Catholic archbishop, he says he is innocent that he did'nt do it that there was a thrid person in the room at the time of the butchery of the archbishop. Martin Vail (Richard Gere)take's the case and defends Aaron as a prestigious lawyer to find the so call thrid person in the murder against the prosecuter Martin's ex wife Janet Venable (Laura Linney).So watch this law bitting courtroom drama come alive and Enjoy!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Very good thriller with some nice--if predictable--twists...
Review: With each and every passing of a week it becomes evidently clearer that Hollywood's fixation on making the almighty dollar is much more important than creating quality material. Alas, when the great films do eventually come our way, they seem like masterpieces. Hence this entire "Lord of the Rings" craze. "Primal Fear" is a quiet masterpiece. It's an Oscar contender at heart, hidden beneath a layer of assorted cliches and plot twists. Does that mean the movie is bad? Not by a long shot. It's terribly entertaining and splendidly acted, particularly by a young Edward Norton. It's a fine movie in almost every respect, although it has a few minor flaws that prevent it from becoming completely excellent. In a nutshell: Norton is the 19-year-old who kills the archbishop of a church in Chicago; Gere is his attorney who takes on the case. Gere doesn't care whether his clients are guilty or not. "I just do my job. It's not like I'm friends with them," he says. But he connects with his newest client in a way unlike he ever has before. "I think he's innocent," he tells one of his co-workers. "I think he's telling the truth." The stuttering 19-year-old Kentucky boy has no clear motive for killing the archbishop. They are related only through the fact that he was a choirboy for the church and the archbishop had taken him in off the streets. But the clues start to connect and soon they find out that sweet ol' choirboy may have split personality disorder--his other side, Roy, comes into play when his normal side becomes hassed and hurt. The stutters fade away and an evil side shines through--an evil side that admits to killing the archbishop. Of course, we all know that it doesn't stop there. Movies like these never stop once they start going; it's like when you flatten a poster and it keeps rolling back up. Only in this case, everything's unrolling itself until we finally get to see the full picture on the front of the poster. Sometimes it's different than we think it'll be. Sometimes it's exactly what we knew it looked like. The latter is the case with "Primal Fear." I guessed every twist early on, and who didn't see the ending coming? But this is simply one of the best Hollywood thrillers in years. When the twists finally reveal themselves, the impact is still as startling as if you were totally blown away and unsuspecting of any more surprises. The cast is certainly top-notch. Along with Gere and the then-unknown Norton, there is Frances McDormand, Laura Linney, John Mahoney and Steven Bauer (Tony's pal from DePalma's "Scarface," in case you're wondering). Richard Gere is undeniably good at playing lawyers. He played one in "Chicago" last year, and he also plays one in "Primal Fear" (which takes place in Chicago). The reason, I think, is because he's sleazy--or at least good at playing sleazy. He was sleazy in "Pretty Woman" and pretty close to a lawyer there. "Primal Fear" is one of his greatest roles--but he's really not the reason it works. Edward Norton makes this film work. It takes a great kind of character actor to be able to play such versatile roles, like the stuttering farmboy in "Primal Fear" and the mentally-challenged-conman-who-isn't-really-mentally-challenged in "The Score" (another terrific film). In the same vein of "Fight Club," this is a film about identities and coming to terms with the fact that you aren't who you think you are--which is, in a way, one of Hollywood's most overused ideas as of recent years. ("Total Recall," "Identity," "Impostor," "Fight Club," "The Matrix," "The Thirteenth Floor," etc.) But this is one of the best examples of the formula done justice.
Rating:
Summary: Norton is amazing PRIMAL FEAR is a keeper
Review: Edward Norton wowed us all beyond speech with this performance. He so convinces us of who he is throughout the film; we are betrayed, shocked, and dismayed when he reveals himself to us. Outstanding performance here. His chemistry with Gere is entertaining to watch. Gere delivers a believable, caring performance. Linney is solid, as an angry DA once a lover of Gere's. Terrific plot. Worth watching again and again
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