Primal Fear
A high-profile slaying becomes the case of an ambitious attorney's career. When a young man, Aaron, is charged with the horrific murder of Archbishop Rushman, hot-shot Chicago lawyer Martin Vail takes on his defense at no charge.
15 July 1952, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, USA
24 September 1942, Chelsea, Massachusetts, USA
2 December 1956, Havana, Cuba
20 June 1940, Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK
27 October 1955, Chicago, Illinois, USA
February 25, 2009
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.
January 25, 2006
Ed Norton is out of this world in his break-out performance.
May 01, 2011
Edward Norton became an instant star after making a splashy, Oscar-nominated performance in this well-executed horror thriller.
December 28, 2004
Works quite well as a mystery and as a courtroom drama.
March 26, 2009
Helped greatly by excellent performances from both of the film's leads, as well as the rounded supporting cast.
May 07, 2011
...a solid drama that's elevated on an all-too-consistent basis by Norton's impressively hypnotic work.
March 05, 2009
The plot is engaging, the cast is exceptional, and Hoblit moves things along in commendably straightforward fashion. Very entertaining.
June 19, 2009
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. [Blu-ray]
December 29, 2007
Unfortunately, Primal Fear hasn't aged well; there are wrinkles and pockmarks all over its face.
January 01, 2000
As a forum for its actors and for the big-screen directorial debut of multi-Emmy winner Gregory Hoblit, the film is up to the job.
February 17, 2005
Memorable for Edward Norton's chilling debut.
