Primal Fear (1996)

Director: Gregory Hoblit

Screenplay: Steve Shagan, Ann Biderman

Cast: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton

Music: James Newton Howard

Time: 130 minutes

Bottom-line: A pulse-racing courtroom drama, with Norton at his best

There are very few actors whose debut acting performance is their best, and Edward Norton is one of them. This courtroom drama stars Richard Gere and Laura Linney in the lead roles, with John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard and Frances McDormand in the supporting roles. I think it’s difficult to appreciate the film without giving away some spoilers, so if you haven’t seen it yet, take my word for it: it is well worth the watch.

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

Martin Vail (Gere) is a defence attorney, who loves his fame. He is intrigued by the brutal murder of Archbishop Rushman; the sole suspect is altar boy Aaron Stampler (Norton), who has a severe stutter. Vail offers to defend Aaron, pro bono, much to the shock of the prosecutor, Vail’s ex-lover, Janet Venable (Linney). Vail discovers that the corrupt state attorney (Mahoney) and other civic leaders have lost $60 million because of the Archbishop’s decisions not to develop on church lands. Vail also decides to get a psychiatrist (McDormand) for Aaron. As the case proceeds, Vail comes across a videotape with incriminating evidence that provides a motive for Aaron to murder Rushman, but at the same time, the tape would bring to public knowledge a dark secret. With Vail and Janet constantly coming up with new ideas and evidence, Vail also feels his client is hiding something big.

 

Gere as Vail

I have always liked courtroom dramas; where else can you show such a powerful and cunning battle of wits in so clean a manner? From cross-questioning to emotional outbursts, Primal Fear has everything. The story is like a mix of Witness for the Prosecution and The Usual Suspects. We are pulled right into the action in a seemingly open-and-shut case; as more evidence comes to the surface, each one with a twist, we are pushed to think further. The twist ending is highly impressive, and it’s pretty neat. I like how some incidents in the story which lead us to an obvious conclusion – including Aaron’s disorder – are cleverly crafted to fool us later. The only part I didn’t understand was how the psychiatrist was convinced that Aaron really did have a “problem”.  

 

Linney as Janet

Edward Norton was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and won the Golden Globe Award for the same. He brilliantly portrays Aaron and his “split personality”, and you appreciate it further when you see the twist ending. His line, “There was never any Aaron” sends chills down your spine. Richard Gere is also equally superb. Vail has style, he has cunning and is (sadly) also sensitive enough to fall for Aaron’s innocence. Gere’s disillusioned expression as he leaves Aaron for the last time is something he delivers so beautifully. Laura Linney has some high moments in the film too, especially the way she brings Aaron to his breaking point in court.

 

Norton as Aaron

The tension in the atmosphere is maintained really well, thanks to the acting with assistance from Howard’s score. The script is pretty solid, and the ending is the best part of the film. That’s enough reasons to watch Primal Fear.

My Rating: 3.5/5

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 74%