Movie Review - Primal Fear

Here is a 1996 Crime/Mystery movie based on the 1993 novel of the same name by William Diehl. The book "Primal Fear" was the first in a trilogy, followed by "Show of Evil" and "Reign in Hell."

Significantly, this is Edward Norton’s film debut in Primal Fear as Aaron Stampler and is regarded as a legendary breakout performance.  Norton was a fairly unknown actor who got the role after Leonardo DiCaprio turned it down. He reportedly arrived at the audition in character, introducing the stuttering persona of Aaron Stampler.

What it's about:

     Publicly beloved Archbishop Rushman is found murdered and mutilated in his bedroom. Aaron Stampler, a 19-year-old altar boy from Kentucky, is caught fleeing the scene covered in blood and subsequently charged with murder. 

     Attorney Martin Vail offers to defend the 19-year old free of charge. Martin Vail is an arrogant "bad-boy," Chicago defense attorney, known for defending undesirable but high-profile clients, including alleged mob boss Joey Piñero. Defense attorney Martin Vail takes on jobs for money and prestige rather than any sense of the greater good.

Cast:

Richard Gere as Martin Vail

Laura Linney as Janet Venable

Frances McDormand as Dr. Molly

Edward Norton as Aaron Stampler

Jon Seda as Alex

Andre Braugher as Tommy Goodman

John Mahoney as Shaughnessy

Terry O'Quinn as Yancy

Director: Gregory Hoblit

Writers: William Diehl, Steve Shagan,  and Ann Biderman

Tagline: "Sooner or later a man who wears two faces forgets which one is real."

"Don't believe everything you see..."

Rated R  2 hour 10 minutes

Rated R for brief grisly violence, pervasive strong language and a sex scene

Rotten Tomatoes (77%) and Audience (89%):

-- "The plot is as good as crime procedurals get, but the movie is really better than its plot because of the three-dimensional characters." Roger Ebert--Chicago Sun-Times

-- "An unfolding mystery in which truth is elusive, and twists are the order of the day...gives Norton a career-making opportunity to strut his stuff." Peter Canavese--Groucho Reviews

-- "A tense psychological thriller rich with shadowy menace and a sense of confidence that allows the impressive cast to shine." Kat Halstead--Common Sense Media

-- "B-. The tense crime procedural thriller has a twist in its last act that fails to do it justice." Dennis Schwartz--Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

-- "Helped greatly by excellent performances from both of the film's leads, as well as the rounded supporting cast." Ryan Cracknell--Movie Views

-- "The plot is engaging, the cast is exceptional, and Hoblit moves things along in commendably straightforward fashion. Very entertaining." John J. Puccio--Movie Metropolis

-- "Exhibits many of the genre's common weaknesses, but the fine acting of Edward Norton, Laura Linney and Richard Gere enables us to forgive them." Brian Webster--Apollo Guide

-- "The part of the script that's dialogue instead of plot is quite snappy. So I believed in this sordid story... for a while." Eve Tushnet--Patheos

Noteworthy awards or rankings:

--Academy Awards, USA

1997 Nominee Oscar

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Edward Norton

--Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA

1997 Nominee Saturn Award

Best Supporting Actor: Edward Norton

-- ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards

1997 Winner ASCAP Award

Top Box Office Films: James Newton Howard

-- Boston Society of Film Critics Awards

1996 Winner BSFC Award

Best Supporting Actor: Edward Norton

-- BAFTA Awards

1997 Nominee BAFTA Film Award

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: Edward Norton

-- Critics Choice Awards

1997 Nominee Critics Choice Award

Best Supporting Actor: Edward Norton

Tied with James Woods for Ghosts of Mississippi (1996).

-- Chicago Film Critics Association Awards

1997 Winner CFCA Award

Most Promising Actor: Edward Norton

-- Florida Film Critics Circle Awards

1997 Winner FFCC Award

Best Supporting Actor:  Edward Norton

-- Golden Globes, USA

1997 Winner Golden Globe

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: Edward Norton

-- Satellite Awards

2009 Nominee Satellite Award

Best DVD Extras:  Primal Fear - Hard Evidence Edition

-- National Society of Film Critics Awards, USA

1997 Nominee NSFC Award

Best Supporting Actor: Edward Norton

Trivia (from IMDB):

-- The exterior police station where Martin Vail goes to see Aaron Stampler is the same exterior police station used for the TV series Hill Street Blues (1981), for which director Gregory Hoblit was producer and director and Joe Spano (plays Stenner in Primal Fear) starred as Henry Goldblume.

-- Edward Norton was among 2,100 actors who auditioned for the role of Aaron Stampler.

-- The original theatrical release had newcomer Edward Norton billed sixth. With the actor's subsequent rise to stardom, later video, Laserdisc, Blu-ray and digital releases place his name second.

-- Richard Gere and Laura Linney later appeared in The Mothman Prophecies (2002) and The Dinner (2017).

-- This movie stayed at the top of the US box office chart for three consecutive weeks.

-- After completing the film, Gregory Hoblit said that he didn't want to see the inside of a courtroom for a very long time.

My Thoughts:

     First, let's address what to classify this movie. Yes, it's a courtroom drama but it has a strong investigative police procedural aspect, too. It is also a psychological thriller. All three are true and that is quite a feat to do well.  I don't believe it is a horror thriller as I've seen it labeled. 

     Initially, I was only going to give the movie a try because of Richard Gere and Laura Linney thinking a movie about a trial seemed boring. I should have known better since I grew up a Perry Mason fan. It drew me in fast and I just had to see how it turned out. 

     The plot is clever enough to avoid some obvious pitfalls plus a couple of good twists. Richard Gere, Laura Linney, and Edward Norton gave great performances which, I believe, made the movie so gripping. The characters were each well developed for a two-hour movie. But most of all, the ending really sears it into your mind for days to come.

     There is swearing and mature subject matter so take that into account. Buckle up for a well done movie and performances.  I suggest not watching it right before bed.

Movie Trailer:

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