PRIMAL FEAR (15)
D: Gregory Hoblit
Paramount/Rysher (Gary Lucchesi)
US 1996
129 mins
Drama/Thriller
W: Steve Shagan & Ann Biderman [based on the novel by
William Diehl]
DP: Michael Chapman
Ed: David Rosenbloom
Mus: James Newton Howard
PD: Jeannine Oppewall
Richard Gere (Martin Vail), Laura Linney (Janet Venable),
John Mahoney (John Shaughnessy), Alfre Woodard (Judge Shoat), Frances McDormand (Dr. Molly Arrington), Edward Norton (Aaron Stampler), Terry O'Quinn (Bud Yancey), Andre
Braugher (Tommy Goodman)
A courtroom drama with a wicked twist, starring Richard
Gere as a shrewd, smooth-talking lawyer who represents a schizophrenic accused of murdering the archbishop who molested him as a choirboy.
The question in the film isn't whether or not the
defendant is guilty or not, the answer to that is given to us on a plate. The question is which of the defendant's multiple personalities is responsible for the crime.
It's quite ridiculous, typical Hollywood stuff, but is
given genuine credence by Edward Norton's star-making supporting performance.
6/10