Primal Fear (1996)
- Starring:
- Richard Gere, Laura Linney, (more)
- Director(s):
- Gregory Hoblit
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Category:
- Mystery & Suspense
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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. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 130 mins
Complete Cast:
- Richard Gere - Martin Vail
- John Mahoney - John Shaughnessy
- Frances McDormand - Dr. Molly Arrington
- Peter Schreiner - Bailiff
- Maura Tierney - Naomi Chance
- Andre Braugher - Tommy Goodman
- Terry O'Quinn - Bud Yancy
- Robert Jordan - WGN Anchor
- Christopher Carroll - M.C
- Tony Plana - Martinez
- Steven Bauer - Joey Pinero
- Wendy Cutler - Lou
- Laura Linney - Janet Venable
- Edward Norton - Aaron Stampler
- Alfre Woodard - Judge Miriam Shoat
- Reg Rogers - Jack Connerman
- Jon Seda - Alex
- Joe Spano - Strenner
- Kenneth Tigar - Weil
- Brian Reddy - Woodside
- Mike Bacarella - Sergeant
- Joseph R. Ryan - Old Man
- Tony Fitzpatrick - Duty Officer
- Stanley Anderson - Archbishop Rushman
- Director(s):
- Gregory Hoblit
- Writer(s):
- Ann Biderman, Steve Shagan
- Producer(s):
- Gary Lucchesi
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Graphic Violence)
- Categories:
- Mystery & Suspense
- Closed Captioning:
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- Subtitles:
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- 1996 - Primal Fear - Chicago Film Critics Association - Most Promising Actor
- 1996 - Primal Fear - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
- 1996 - Primal Fear - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actor
- 1996 - Primal Fear - National Board of Review - Best Supporting Actor
- 1996 - Primal Fear - National Society of Film Critics - Best Supporting Actor (Runner-up)
