Distributor Notes: 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.

Source: Paramount Home Entertainment

Richard Gere: American actor, PRETTY WOMAN
Laura Linney: Actress
Edward Norton: Actor/Director
John Mahoney: American actor, FRASIER
Alfre Woodard: American actress
Frances McDormand: American Actress
Andre Braugher: American Actor/"Glory"
Maura Tierney: American Actress

Gregory Hoblit: Director

Gary Lucchesi: Producer

Steve Shagan: American Screenwriter
Ann Biderman: Writer/"American Dreamer"

James Newton Howard: Composer, KING KONG (2005)

David Rosenbloom: Editor, BEHIND ENEMY LINES (2001)

"...Gere's showy yet mature performance holds the movie together....PRIMAL is the most riveting courtroom drama since 1982's THE VERDICT..." -- Rating: B+
"...Well-crafted....Linney is excellent....Hoblit's direction is ultra-attentive to story points..."
"...Taut thriller....[Norton gives a] hypnotic performance..."
"...Richard Gere gives a focused performance..."
"The plot is as good as crime procedurals get, but the movie is really better than its plot because of the three-dimensional characters."
"...[Gere] shows what an interesting actor he can be. PRIMAL FEAR contains some of his best work..."