Clever twists and a bona fide surprise ending make Primal Fear an above-average courtroom thriller. Tapping into the post-O J scrutiny of the American legal system in the case of a hotshot Chicago defence attorney (Richard Gere) whose latest client is an altar boy (Edward Norton) accused of murdering a Catholic archbishop. The film uses its own manipulation to tell a story about manipulation and when we finally discover who's been pulling the strings, the payoff is both convincing and pertinent to the ongoing debate over what constitutes truth in the American system... of justice. Making an impressive screen debut that has since led to a stellar career, Norton gives a performance that rides on a razor's edge of schizophrenic pathology--his role is an actor's showcase and without crossing over the line of credibility, Norton milks it for all it's worth. Gere is equally effective in a role that capitalises on his shifty screen persona and Laura Linney and Frances McDormand give memorable performances in their intelligently written supporting roles. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com [show more]
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Keen to occupy the media spotlight, cynical lawyer Martin Vail (Richard Gere) jumps at the chance of defending an altar boy accused of murdering the local archbishop. However, as he uncovers a nest of corruption and finds himself pitted against a prosecutor who is also his ex-lover, Vail soon begins to question his methods and approach.
Please note this is a region 2 DVD and will require a region 2 (Europe) or region Free DVD Player in order to play. Arrogant, brilliant and successful criminal defense attorney Martin Vail loves a good fight and the media spotlight, both of which he knowingly invites when he volunteers to represent a penniless, bewildered altar boy accused of murdering the local archbishop. The defendant's guilt seems as evident as the blood found splattered on his clothes. But Vail doesn't concern himself with questions of guilt or innocence. All he cares about is creating and selling his version of the truth. As his involvement with his client deepens, however, Vail's consuming need to win, his antagonism toward his former boss in the prosecutor's office, his complicated relationship with his former lover who is the prosecutor in this case, and his unexpected feelings for his client, combine to blind him to the trap awaiting him... Actors Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard, Frances McDormand, Andre Braugher, Maura Tierney, Terry O'Quinn & Steven Bauer Director Gregory Hoblit Certificate 18 years and over Year 1996 Screen 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen Languages English - Dolby Digital (5.1) Subtitles English for the hard of hearing ; English ; Arabic ; Bulgarian ; Czech ; Danish ; Dutch ; Finnish ; German ; Hungarian ; Icelandic ; Norwegian ; Polish ; Romanian ; Swedish ; Turkish Duration 2 hours and 5 minutes (approx)
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