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CrimeDramaMysteryThriller

Primal Fear

- Sooner or later, a man who wears two faces forgets which one is real.

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.

Release Date : 1996-03-06

Language :EnglishSpanish

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Paramount PicturesRysher Entertainment

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Richard Gere

Character Name : Martin Vail

Original Name : Richard Gere

Gender : Male

Laura Linney

Character Name : Janet Venable

Original Name : Laura Linney

Gender : Female

Edward Norton

Character Name : Aaron

Original Name : Edward Norton

Gender : Male

John Mahoney

Character Name : Shaughnessy

Original Name : John Mahoney

Gender : Male

Alfre Woodard

Character Name : Shoat

Original Name : Alfre Woodard

Gender : Female

Frances McDormand

Character Name : Molly

Original Name : Frances McDormand

Gender : Female

Terry O'Quinn

Character Name : Yancy

Original Name : Terry O'Quinn

Gender : Male

Andre Braugher

Character Name : Goodman

Original Name : Andre Braugher

Gender : Male

Steven Bauer

Character Name : Pinero

Original Name : Steven Bauer

Gender : Male

Joe Spano

Character Name : Stenner

Original Name : Joe Spano

Gender : Male

Tony Plana

Character Name : Martinez

Original Name : Tony Plana

Gender : Male

Stanley Anderson

Character Name : Rushman

Original Name : Stanley Anderson

Gender : Male

Maura Tierney

Character Name : Naomi

Original Name : Maura Tierney

Gender : Female

Jon Seda

Character Name : Alex

Original Name : Jon Seda

Gender : Male

Reg Rogers

Character Name : Connerman

Original Name : Reg Rogers

Gender : Male

Kenneth Tigar

Character Name : Weil

Original Name : Kenneth Tigar

Gender : Male

Brian Reddy

Character Name : Woodside

Original Name : Brian Reddy

Gender : Male

Christopher Carroll

Character Name : M.C.

Original Name : Christopher Carroll

Gender : Male

Wendy Cutler

Character Name : Lou

Original Name : Wendy Cutler

Gender : Female

Ron O.J. Parson

Character Name : Turner

Original Name : Ron O.J. Parson

Gender : Male

Sigrid K. Zahner

Character Name : Vail's Secretary

Original Name : Sigrid K. Zahner

Gender : Male

Dianne Burns

Character Name : WLS Anchor

Original Name : Dianne Burns

Gender : Male

Linda Yu

Character Name : WLS Anchor

Original Name : Linda Yu

Gender : Female

Andy Shaw

Character Name : WLS Location Reporter

Original Name : Andy Shaw

Gender : Male

Mary Ann Childers

Character Name : WBBM Anchor

Original Name : Mary Ann Childers

Gender : Male

Lester Holt

Character Name : WBBM Anchor

Original Name : Lester Holt

Gender : Male

Sylvia Gomez

Character Name : WBBM Location Reporter

Original Name : Sylvia Gomez

Gender : Male

Jon Duncanson

Character Name : WBBN Location Reporter

Original Name : Jon Duncanson

Gender : Male

Greg Bronson

Character Name : Banquet Patron (uncredited)

Original Name : Greg Bronson

Gender : Male

David Eckert

Character Name : WGN Anchor

Original Name : David Eckert

Gender : Male

Robert Jordan

Character Name : WGN Anchor

Original Name : Robert Jordan

Gender : Male

Joanie Lum

Character Name : WGN Location Reporter

Original Name : Joanie Lum

Gender : Male

Randy Salerno

Character Name : WGN Location Reporter

Original Name : Randy Salerno

Gender : Male

Kyle Colerider-Krugh

Character Name : Postman

Original Name : Kyle Colerider-Krugh

Gender : Male

Joseph Luis Caballero

Character Name : Joe

Original Name : Joseph Luis Caballero

Gender : Male

Randall Slavin

Character Name : Young Boy

Original Name : Randall Slavin

Gender : Male

Mike Bacarella

Character Name : Sergeant

Original Name : Mike Bacarella

Gender : Male

Turk Muller

Character Name : Precinct Jailer

Original Name : Turk Muller

Gender : Male

Joseph F. Kosala

Character Name : Cop

Original Name : Joseph F. Kosala

Gender : Male

Lenny Wilson

Character Name : Bartender

Original Name : Lenny Wilson

Gender : Male

Peter Schreiner

Character Name : Bailiff

Original Name : Peter Schreiner

Gender : Male

Joseph R. Ryan

Character Name : Old Man

Original Name : Joseph R. Ryan

Gender : Male

Azalea Davila

Character Name : Linda

Original Name : Azalea Davila

Gender : Female

Wayne Wright

Character Name : Court Clerk

Original Name : Wayne Wright

Gender : Male

Tony Fitzpatrick

Character Name : Duty Officer

Original Name : Tony Fitzpatrick

Gender : Male

Clarence Williams, Jr.

Character Name : Arresting Cop

Original Name : Clarence Williams, Jr.

Gender : Male

Rosalie V. Lewis

Character Name : Stenographer

Original Name : Rosalie V. Lewis

Gender : Male

Dwight Brad Dyer

Character Name : Prison Guard

Original Name : Dwight Brad Dyer

Gender : Male

Larry Cook

Character Name : Pilot

Original Name : Larry Cook

Gender : Male

Bob Kenney

Character Name : Pilot

Original Name : Bob Kenney

Gender : Male

Reviews

C

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2022-06-30

I was never the greatest fan of Richard Gere, but this is certainly one of his better performances. He is cocky lawyer "Vail", adept at ensuring his criminal fraternity clients evade justice. When the shocking news that an archbishop has been savagely murdered is announced, he decides on a bit of pro-bono work to defend the young "Aaron" (Ed Norton) against the prosecuting skills of his ex-girlfriend "Janet" (Laura Linney). As the courtroom drama unfolds, though, we soon establish that there are undertones that call into question not just who did what to whom, but also the integrity of the victim and of many of his well-connected associates. The film belongs to Norton, though. As his character develops, with the assistance of probing psychologist "Molly" (Frances McDormand), we discover that there are quirks to his character that this actor delivers superbly. So much falls into place in the last ten minutes, or so, before a denouement that is both unexpected and perversely quite fitting. It is a bit too long, and takes maybe half an hour before it starts to simmer; but once the plot starts to advance in earnest, this becomes a superior crime thriller with twists, turns and strong performances throughout.

R

RalphRahal

@RalphRahal

2024-12-16

Primal Fear is a masterclass in tension, turning a courtroom drama into a high-stakes thriller under Gregory Hoblit’s sharp direction. Then there’s Edward Norton, in his very first role, who makes such an impression it’s no surprise he went on to win over 15 awards including a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. Playing Aaron, a timid altar boy with hidden depths. Richard Gere holds his own as the slick defense lawyer, Norton’s layered acting and the intense chemistry between them make this movie unforgettable. Primal Fear goes beyond a typical courtroom drama, serving up suspense, stellar performances, and production.