Rating: 
Summary: I don't think he did it!!! It was Roy!
Review: Ok, first off, I watched this movie when it came to theatres in 96, and I thought the ending was so messed up, but I was only 14. Young Ed Norton (one of my favorite actors) was outstanding. Going from stuttering innocent little alter boy Arron Stampler, to diabolical, foul mouthed, ruthless Roy. The movie had suspense, some humor, originality, and a surprise ending, which entertains you from beginning to end. And in real life this could happen. That is why it's hard to prove insanity because they get off so easily in the court of law. Richard Gere deserved an award for this film too. Playing the part of a naive and optimistic attorney. I felt like the end defeated the whole purpose of the beginning and middle, but hell i didnt expect it. It was a well thought out unexpected twist. It's a great movie, and it's been on tnt like every night. If you wanna see the actual movie with all the adulterated scenes left in, rent it.
Rating:
Summary: Two words -- ED NORTON
Review: Since I have never really been a big fan of Richard Gere, I ignored this movie when it was in the theaters back in '96. One night at the video store, I wanted a mystery/drama and thought "what the heck, it cannot be that bad." 2 hours later, after watching it once, I wanted to watch it again.Ed Norton delivers an amazing and very disturbing performance. Although this was his first major movie, he created a character that one moment you feel for and the next ... well I will let you learn that from the movie. Richard Gere is also very good in this movie. He sheds light on the good and bad side of defending the accused. The movie takes you step by step through his investigation and you understand why his character believes in Norton's character so much. As a law student, the court room aspect of the movie is a little weak, overall it is the best legal thriller avaliable.
Rating:
Summary: Edward Norton shines again!
Review: Edward Norton never ceases to amaze me with his acting. In every role of his, I forget that it's Norton, and truly get sucked into his character. All of his roles are incredible, but this one is right up there with his other Oscar-nominated role in American History X. Richard Gere plays a major hot-shot lawyer (as he usually does) who becomes convinced of his client's (Norton) innocence when nobody else does. This film came at the very beginning of Norton's film career and is already a landmark for him. See this movie for his sake. This is not something that most kids would enjoy, nor should they view. Its R rating reflects strong language, some grisly violence, and a scene of sexuality that includes nudity. This is a memorable film with memorable roles.
Rating:
Summary: Norton Shines!!!!
Review: This film takes twists and turns throught the entire picture to make you think you don't know what is going to happen next. It's about a lawyer who finds himself defending a kid in the murder of a priest. The acting was ok by everyone except Norton who was brilliant!
Rating:
Summary: Primal Fear
Review: This movie is truly one of a kind. It is by far my all time favorite movie. By the end of the movie you think you have it all figured out but then the jaw-dropping end comes out and everything you thought or believed is completely wrong.
Rating: 
Summary: A rare movie which has an ending which makes you think
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Whoa....
Review: Edward Norton is an amazing actor! He sure got me! Outstanding performance! He should of won an Oscar!
Rating:
Summary: Edward Norton shines again
Review: Retrospectively the most interesting thing about Primal Fear is that it saw the first movie of actor of a generation Edward Norton. However, this is a movie that would be worth seeing anyway. The plot has Gere as a hotshot attorney who defends 19 year-old Aaron (Norton) after he is captured running away from the murder scene of the a bishop who he claims to have been like a father to him. Seeming like an impossible case to win, Gere originally revels only in the prestige something so high-profile offers him, until Aaron is diagnosed with having multiple personality dissorder. The cast is definitely the best thing about this movie though. Gere is competent though not an obvious choice as the lawyer, yet the succession of breakthrough roles is very impressive indeed. Norton is probably one of the most versatile and compelling actors I have ever seen on screen although strangely enough is only just starting to be recognised as such, mostly choosing if not indie movies then certainly ones that are often outside of the glare of Hollywood (excepting the recent Red Dragon). Anyone who has seen Fight Club, Rounder or in particular the astounding, electric performance he puts in for American History X, can testify to this. Primal Fear is no exception, and his performance here is probably second only to his in American History X. There's also an appearance from Frances McDormand before fame hit, as well as Maura Tierny (ER's Abby, who is surely just waiting for her big break anytime soon), both in medium roles. In addition, Laura Linney proves that she has more than it takes to become a leading lady in a largely unrewarding role. There are a few things wrong with Primal Fear, namely the rather explicit discussions about the nature of right and wrong, which are surely obvious anyway in most lawroom thrillers. However, it seems unfair to quibble over something that's clearly a very entertaining picture. The only other real shame is that the movie has been made famous for its twist ending as well as for it's cast, and once you know it's coming it's all too obvious. Aside from that though, this is not only entertaining but utterly compelling thanks to its first-rate performances.
Rating:
Summary: Surprise, Surprise
Review: Martin Vale (Richard Gere) eats, sleeps and breathes the law. As a defense attourney he is feared and hated by every prosecutor in Chicago. Why? Because he's that good. He's known for his rough tactics as well as his brilliant performances in the courtroom. He loves being in court as much as he loves seeing his name in print and his face on the evening news. He believes "that a person is innocent until proven guilty" and believes in the basic goodness in people. He simply loves the law. When Chicago's beloved Archbishop Rushman is stabbed to death (78 times) in his rectory and a blood-soaked alter boy (Edward Norton) is arrested as the prime and only suspect, Vail can't resist being the first to offer his services - pro bono. Aaron Stampler is the 19-year-old alter boy who claims he didn't kill the Archbishop. He says he was in the room at the time of the murder, but that there was a third person there and he blacked out. His stuttering Kentucky mountain accent and angelic boy scout look is only the beginning to a great defense. Janet Venable (Laura Linney), a former girlfriend of Vail, is the prosecutor assigned to this case. I think she's looking forward to butting heads with Vail again. Her bosses want the death penalty and nothing less. Based on the novel of murder and suspense by William Diehl, we've got a truly star-studded jackpot with "Primal Fear." The characters were so well written in the book, it must not have been too difficult to convert to film. It's easy to love and/or hate each character. Richard Gere is always brilliant, putting everything he's got into each role. This character, Martin Vail, reminds me of his Edward Lewis in "Pretty Woman." He loves his job, actually lives it, makes a ton of money, is very arrogant, confident, brilliant, very charming, clever, persuasive and thorough. First-class performance. Edward Norton got the role of a lifetime when he landed this character, Aaron Stampler - the role that put him on the Hollywood map. When actors are too good, they sometimes pay the price with me. Norton was a little TOO good and a little TOO convincing here. I hated him. His role in "Keeping the Faith," with Ben Stiller and Jenna Elfman, was where he redeemed himself. (I love him now.) "Keeping the Faith" was also his directorial debut. More great performances from Norton in "Rounders" and "Fight Club." Also, if you liked him in "Primal Fear," you must see "The Score" (also starring Robert DeNiro and Marlon Brando). You'll see some similarities that I'm not at liberty to discuss. Just trust me! A slew of other great actors are in "Primal Fear:" LAURA LINNEY of "The Mothman Prophecies" (with Richard Gere), "Congo," and "Absolute Power" (played Clint Eastwood's daughter). JOHN MAHONEY is a corrupt city official here who's a long-time friend of the late Archbishop. Mahoney plays the father in TV's "Frasier," and was also in "The American President" (Annette Bening's boss), "Eight Men Out," "She's the One," and played Judge Helms in "Suspect." FRANCES MCDORMOND, who later won an Oscar for her 1996 performance in "Fargo," also starred in "Raising Arizona," "Mississippi Burning" and "Wonder Boys." Also watch for ANDRE BRAUGHER ("City of Angels," "Glory," "Frequency"), MAURA TIERNEY (TV's "ER," "Liar, Liar," "Primary Colors," "Forces of Nature," "Oxygen") and JOE SPANO ("Apollo 13," "Hart's War").
Rating:
Summary: Absorbing & Provocative
Review: This absorbing courtroom drama refuses to buckle down and be traditional in its plot. Not only does the story lure the watcher with its strangely subjective view of the law, but its characters chill and amaze.
These people aren't bowling pins that refuse to be knocked down by the final, heart rending twist. They're alive in every sense of the word, and especially Richard Gere and Edward Norton crackle with intensity and soul when in the same room.
The movie depicts Gere as a hotshot defense attorney defending Norton as an altar boy (in his impressive debut) who is on trial for murdering an archbishop. But did he do it? Nothing is as it seems, and though the court scenes have every opportunity to be boring, they never are. Laura Linney is naively brazen as a prosecutor.
Ultimately, though, it's Norton that puts the scare into "Primal Fear". Why? I'll leave that for the lucky watcher. I have never been this emotionally involved in a movie. Or maybe I have been.
Or maybe I'm "of two minds" on the matter.
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