Primal Fear

Primal Fear is gripping, and it is unexpectedly brutal in detail considering it is a mainstream thriller. It is a movie that is well made in every way, with the debut of Edward Norton in a supporting role, who succeeded in perfectly and totally eclipsing the star powerhouse lead that was Richard Gere and it actually fits the tone of the movie perfectly. Bravo. (01/20/2022)

There's this "90's vibe" that I can't quite put a name to, but it definitely had an effect on me throughout the film. Maybe it's because the exteriors were shot a little differently back then, the soundtrack used to be more restless/nervous than bombastic, and the atmosphere could be very imaginatively evoked even just by a "nighttime run" through the backstreets of the Big Apple. I got a bit nostalgic; but now to the substance. Norton is absolutely fantastic, Gere satisfactory, Laura Linney good within reason. The script is mainly designed so that the actors have something to work with, and there's no shortage of twists and turns, which actually feel quite tidy in the end and don't necessarily feel contrived or like a bet on a "shocking denouement". Gregory Hoblit was then able to use his craftsmanship to create an extremely suspenseful courtroom drama that can be considered the pinnacle of its genre. In addition, he de facto discovered and brought to wider awareness Edward Norton, who went on to create some memorable characters in the late 1990s. For me, this is the best Hoblit. (05/04/2013)

As much as I dislike lawyers, I do agree (albeit begrudgingly) that we need them. I didn't mind Martin Vail as the lawyer character, I just didn't like Richard Gere who played him. He’s an extremely overrated actor; I’ve always thought of him as more of a sleazy type. The film had an interesting theme, and while I have some reservations concerning the execution, they are just minor gripes. What I’d like to highlight is Edward Norton's superb performance which was the pillar of the film. Aaron/Roy didn’t get that much screen time, but his scenes were the reason why I’m giving the film four stars. The rest of the actors seemed like they were only there as support for the actual main character. / Lesson learned: Everyone has the right to defend themselves, no matter how much it pisses me off in some cases. (09/07/2022)

Gregory Hoblit has shown many times that he knows how to make excellent films, and Primal Fear undoubtedly belongs to this category. I must commend the casting of the lead roles, as Richard Gere and Edward Norton played their roles perfectly. Norton was probably the better of the two, delivering a brilliant portrayal of a young schizophrenic. I liked how the plot gradually built up throughout the film. The ending was, in my opinion, one of the best conceived in all the films I have seen so far. I also have to praise James Newton Howard for the excellent music, which only enhanced the already incredible drama. We need more films like this that belong to the crime drama genre. I can only recommend it, and I give it 90%. (07/28/2016)

Although quite uninteresting thematically, in the end it is a solidly directed one-off from typical 1990s production. That is, during a time when Richard Gere was still a sensation and elegant, not playing tormented policemen or morally conflicted middle-aged men. Moreover, it is perhaps the first time that Edward Norton also appears on the big screen, playing his part phenomenally – though the entire screenplay, which relied primarily on his performance and role, was ultimately somewhat predictable. But this does not change the fact that the film is definitely worth seeing for those who enjoy lawyers and courtrooms, as there are several excellent scenes along those lines. (10/17/2010)