Primal Fear

1996 • 130 minutes

À propos de ce film

A high-profile slaying becomes the case of an ambitious attorney's career in this legal thriller based on the novel by William Diehl. Richard Gere stars as Martin Vail, a famed defense lawyer who volunteers his services to Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton), a Kentucky teenager charged with the murder of a Chicago archbishop. Covered with blood, Aaron was captured after a foot chase broadcast live on TV, making a gleeful Vail certain that he could raise his profile by defending the obviously guilty suspect. Assigned to prosecute is Assistant District Attorney Janet Venable (Laura Linney), who is Vail's ex-girlfriend. Vail's case becomes more complicated than he expected when a psychologist, Dr. Molly Arrington (Frances McDormand) concludes that Stampler suffers from multiple personality disorder. Vail also uncovers evidence that the archbishop was involved in a corrupt land scheme and may have molested young parishioners. Now the cynical, opportunistic attorney is faced with a daunting prospect, a client who may actually deserve his best defense. Its shocking, twist ending made Primal Fear (1996) a big box office hit and earned Norton, in his screen debut, an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Notes et avis

Primal Fear, with one typically good Richard Here performance, a great supporting cast, and the shoulda been an Oscar winning role by Edward Norton in his film debut. Though a side plot does distract from the overall focus of the main story, the classic twist ending is worth waiting for.

Anything with Edward Norton must have at least four stars, needless to say, this one deserved it as well. You will not figure out the ending... until the end. What a refreshing relief!!!

One of my all time favorite, next to The Usual Suspects with Kevin Spacey. In both you never see the ending coming. Both brilliant movies and classics! A must see, a must have. One of Richard Gere best movie ever and Edward Norton is great.