I've ignored this movie for nearly ten years because of the trite hyperdrama of its title, but once I saw it, 1996's Primal Fear made my "buy it on DVD" list.
Richard Gere is astounding in his role as a traumatized one-time prosecutor who has become a cynical defense attorney. He's slick and naive by turns, in an utterly believable way. Gere's a veteran, with a lot of experience in playing exactly this kind of likeable cad—and yet newcomer Edward Norton blows him away with his performance as a shy altar boy, caught up in the political and judicial grindstone of a media-circus trial.
Norton's Aaron Stempler is a stuttering, quiet nonentity until he is found unconscious at the scene of a brutal murder. The victim, beloved local celebrity Archbishop Richard Russman (played by Stanley Anderson, who also appears with Norton in Red Dragon), has been repeatedly stabbed and mutilated, with a cryptic message carved into his chest. Stempler's bloody footprints lead police from his unconscious body directly to the crime scene, and his clothing is drenched with Russman's blood.
Yet his attorney, Martin Vail (Gere), is ready to believe him when he says he doesn't remember the crime, but that a third party was in the room the night Russman was murdered. Stempler's painfully shy mannerisms, sweet appearance and general air of innocence contribute to Vail's conclusion that this young man is being railroaded. And it doesn't take long for supporting information to emerge.
For one thing, the Archbishop was directly responsible for a loss of millions of dollars to a development project in which District Attorney John Shaughnessy (John Mahoney) was heavily invested. The DA has assigned Vail's ex-wife, Janet Venable (Laura Linney), to prosecute—perhaps believing that she, of all people, will be able to see through his razzle-dazzle—and there are hints of potential defense witnesses being sequestered or removed from the city.
Article comments
1 - Matt Paprocki
When I started working at a video store, this movie had just come out. I lasted with the company for four years, and I finally broke down in 2000 and watched it. A complete and total surprise, both for the quality and the "holy shit" ending.
This is a brilliant movie, and a tight one too. There's not much to find plot hole wise, if anything. DrPat nailed this one, unlike with Myst. =;)
2 - Sunny
Edward Norton was nominated for an Oscar for his role in this movie. It's one of my favorites and I own it on DVD. :)
3 - DrPat
Norton has since given other stellar performances opposite strong actors. In Red Dragon, he more than holds his own in the teeth (pun intended) of Anthony Hopkin's Hannibal Lecter and Ralph Fiennes as the "Tooth Fairy," Francis Dolarhyde. In Death to Smoochy, at several points he out-wilds Robin Williams!
This is definitely an actor to keep an eye on...