Primal Fear (1996)
Directed by Gregory Hoblit / Gary Lucchesi
Genres - Drama |
Sub-Genres - Psychological Thriller, Courtroom Drama |
Release Date - Apr 5, 1996 (USA) |
Run Time - 129 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - R
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Synopsis by Karl Williams
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.
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Keywords
accusation, altar-boy, bishop, court [law], courtroom, false-accusation, investigation, killing, lawyer, murder, mutilation, psychiatry