Review of Primal Fear (1996) by Patryk C — 25 Dec 2012

In the film, Martin Vail (Richard Gere), a well respected defense attorney, has made a name for himself by representing multiple high paying clients in the courtroom setting. One day, Vail catches a glimpse of a story on the local news of a young altar boy named Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton) being arrested on suspicion of the murder of the Archbishop Rushman. Vail immediately goes to the jail and offers to represent Aaron in court free of charge.

Richard Gere does a very good job portraying a confident and witty attorney who will do whatever it takes to get his clients off on all charges. Throughout the movie, his character shows quick thinking and smart tactics in the court room to dismiss the charges brought before the court by Vail's former love, Janet Venable (Laura Linney). In his debut on screen appearance, Norton brings his A game as he brilliantly plays a complicated character in Aaron Stampler.

Primal fear will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The plot will constantly keep you guessing and on your toes. The writing is exceptional, and the acting performances are top notch, none better than that of Edward Norton who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

This film is receiving four stars from me, and it is worth the watch. However, it is rated R for a reason. It contains strong language, intense violence, sexual content, as well as nudity. If you are looking for a movie to watch with your children, this may not be the film to choose. Other than that, highly recommended. An excellent watch.