Movie Cosmos - Primal Fear

Description:

An arrogant, high-powered attorney takes on the case of a poor altar boy found running away from the scene of the grisly murder of the bishop who has taken him in. The case gets a lot more complex when the accused reveals that there may or may not have been a third person in the room.

Top Cast >

Richard Gere

As Martin Vail

Laura Linney

As Janet Venable

Edward Norton

As Aaron/Roy Stampler

John Mahoney

As Shaughnessy

Alfre Woodard

As Shoat

Frances McDormand

As Molly

Terry O'Quinn

As Yancy

Andre Braugher

As Goodman

Steven Bauer

As Pinero

Joe Spano

As Stenner

Tony Plana

As Martinez

Stanley Anderson

As Rushman

Maura Tierney

As Naomi

Jon Seda

As Alex

Reg Rogers

As Connerman

Kenneth Tigar

As Weil

Brian Reddy

As Woodside

Christopher Carroll

As M.C.

Wendy Cutler

As Lou

Ron O.J. Parson

As Turner

Sigrid K. Zahner

As Vail's Secretary

Diann Burns

As WLS Anchor

Linda Yu

As WLS Anchor

Andy Shaw

As WLS Location Reporter

Mary Ann Childers

As WBBM Anchor

Lester Holt

As WBBM Anchor

Sylvia Gomez

As WBBM Location Reporter

Jon Duncanson

As WBBN Location Reporter

David Eckert

As WGN Anchor

Robert Jordan

As WGN Anchor

Joanie Lum

As WGN Location Reporter

Randy Salerno

As WGN Location Reporter

Kyle Colerider-Krugh

As Postman

Joseph Luis Caballero

As Joe

Randall Slavin

As Young Boy

Mike Bacarella

As Sergeant

Turk Muller

As Precinct Jailer

Joseph F. Kosala

As Cop

Lenny Wilson

As Bartender

Peter Schreiner

As Bailiff

Joseph R. Ryan

As Old Man

Azalea Davila

As Linda

Wayne Wright

As Court Clerk

Tony Fitzpatrick

As Duty Officer

Clarence Williams, Jr.

As Arresting Cop

Rosalie V. Lewis

As Stenographer

Dwight Brad Dyer

As Prison Guard

Greg Bronson

As Banquet Patron (uncredited)

Top Crew >

Gregory Hoblit

Director

William Diehl

Novel

Steve Shagan

Screenplay

Ann Biderman

Screenplay

Michael Chapman

Director of Photography

David Rosenbloom

Editor

James Newton Howard

Original Music Composer

Deborah Aquila

Casting

Jane Shannon-Smith

Casting

Betsy Cox

Costume Design

Hawk Koch

Executive Producer

Ernie F. Orsatti

Stunt Coordinator

Rick LeFevour

Stunts

Noon Orsatti

Stunts

Denney Pierce

Stunts

Lanier Edwards

Stunts

Ray Lykins

Stunts

Robert Grand

Production Manager

J. Stephen Buck

First Assistant Director

Lucille OuYang

Second Assistant Director

Robert McMinn

Co-Producer

William Arnold

Art Direction

Cindy Carr

Set Decoration

Sharron Reynolds-Enriquez

Script Supervisor

Bill Roe

Camera Operator

Steve Cantamessa

Sound Mixer

Gary Thomas

Boom Operator

Ron Phillips

Still Photographer

Kacy Magedman

Art Department Coordinator

Jono Kouzouyan

Chief Lighting Technician

Bruce Fortune

Supervising Sound Editor

Greg Stacy

Sound Effects Editor

Cameron Frankley

Sound Effects Editor

Anthony Milch

Sound Effects Editor

Carin Rogers

Supervising Dialogue Editor

Joe Dorn

Supervising ADR Editor

Thomas W. Small

Foley Editor

Bob Baron

ADR Mixer

Marilyn Graf

Foley Mixer

Randy K. Singer

Foley Mixer

Sarah Monat

Foley Artist

Robin Harlan

Foley Artist

Jim Weidman

Music Editor

Jeffrey J. Haboush

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Kevin E. Carpenter

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Robert Schaper

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Rob Burton

Visual Effects Supervisor

Phil Hetos

Color Timer

Theresa Repola Mohammed

Negative Cutter

Phill Norman

Title Designer

Linda Perlin

Stunts

Jeannine Oppewall

Production Design

Paul Allen

Set Dresser

Gary Lucchesi

Producer

Larry Cook

Pilot

Bob Kenney

Pilot

Reviews:

CinemaSerf (7/10)

I was never the greatest fan of Richard Gere, but this is certainly one of his better performances. He is cocky lawyer "Vail", adept at ensuring his criminal fraternity clients evade justice. When the shocking news that an archbishop has been savagely murdered is announced, he decides on a bit of pro-bono work to defend the young "Aaron" (Ed Norton) against the prosecuting skills of his ex-girlfriend "Janet" (Laura Linney). As the courtroom drama unfolds, though, we soon establish that there are undertones that call into question not just who did what to whom, but also the integrity of the victim and of many of his well-connected associates. The film belongs to Norton, though. As his character develops, with the assistance of probing psychologist "Molly" (Frances McDormand), we discover that there are quirks to his character that this actor delivers superbly. So much falls into place in the last ten minutes, or so, before a denouement that is both unexpected and perversely quite fitting. It is a bit too long, and takes maybe half an hour before it starts to simmer; but once the plot starts to advance in earnest, this becomes a superior crime thriller with twists, turns and strong performances throughout.

2022-06-30

RalphRahal (8/10)

Primal Fear is a masterclass in tension, turning a courtroom drama into a high-stakes thriller under Gregory Hoblit’s sharp direction.

Then there’s Edward Norton, in his very first role, who makes such an impression it’s no surprise he went on to win over 15 awards including a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. Playing Aaron, a timid altar boy with hidden depths. Richard Gere holds his own as the slick defense lawyer, Norton’s layered acting and the intense chemistry between them make this movie unforgettable.

Primal Fear goes beyond a typical courtroom drama, serving up suspense, stellar performances, and production.

2024-12-14