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Primal Fear Reviews

1996

70
from 5845 members

Powerful, media-hungry Chicago defense attorney Martin Vail (Richard Gere) gets in over his head when he takes the case of an altar boy (Edward Norton making his film debut) accused of murdering an archbishop. His opponent for the prosecution is his former protege and lover Janet Venable (Laura Linney), who's out to make this .. Read more

Starring	Richard Gere, Laura Linney, John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard
Director	Gregory Hoblit
Genres	Drama, Thriller

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Critic's review of Primal Fear
View all critics' reviews (6)
- An implausible thriller with a twist at its end, but one that diminishes all that has gone before, so that an audience is more likely to feel cheated than surprised.
- 30991
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:41
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Most helpful member's review of Primal Fear
View all members' reviews (58)
- - 18
  - 2
  I have seen this film ...
  
  I have seen this film before but never tire of seeing it again. Superb performances from Richard Gere, Laura Linney and especially Edward Norton who, in my ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 25977
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Jan#4
  - SUTTON COLDFIELD
  - 03 Dec 2003 at 00:11
Most recent members' reviews of Primal Fear
View all members' reviews (58)
- - 0
  - 0
  Primal Gere
  
  Fantastic film, my housemate suggested this to me as its her favorite movie and she wasn't wrong! Richard Gere and Ed Norton are spot on and the scenes with... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1088664
- - paulblackman100
  - 1 review
  - 04 Feb 2012 at 16:16
- - 0
  - 0
  worth watching
  
  I had seen this before but it didnt stop me watching it again thoroughly enjoyed it again I had forgotten what happened great suspense
  
  Report this review
- 1071021
- - Shirjon
  - 14 reviews
  - 07 Dec 2011 at 09:17
- - 0
  - 0
  A good film!
  
  I loved this film and the twist was totally unexpected. Had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Really enjoyable and well acted by all.
  
  Report this review
- 1034344
- - Sab76
  - 53 reviews
  - 28 Aug 2011 at 00:38
- - 0
  - 0
  Primal Fear
  
  From the gruesome scenes right down to the 'oh my god, he did what?!' this film gripped me from the start. I'm not usually one to watch anything ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1027635
- - Luna22
  - 1 review
  - Leeds
  - 10 Aug 2011 at 21:23
- - 0
  - 0
  Tense courtroom drama at it's best
  
  I remember enjoying this film the first time I saw it, but have not seen it in a long time. Having watched it again recently, I reminded myself just how good ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1018370
- - Paul_King
  - 2 reviews
  - Derby, England
  - 17 Jul 2011 at 14:54
- - 0
  - 0
  Must See
  
  Not being anywhere near a Richard Gere fan(I am not a fan of all white uniforms !),I thought that Primal Fear has too be one of the finest films ever made.... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 995997
- - TheBigMan1965
  - 13 reviews
  - Penicuik
  - 23 May 2011 at 06:41
- - 0
  - 0
  Worth a watch
  
  I really enjoyed this film - it kept my attention at all times and was not the normal character played by Richard Gere. Definitely worth a watch!
  
  Report this review
- 990799
- - a customer
  - England
  - 09 May 2011 at 12:25
- - 0
  - 0
  Great Twist
  
  Great acting from Gere and Norton, storyline, is exceptional with a great twist,seen it years ago in the cinema but good to see again, worth a watch.
  
  Report this review
- 980330
- - a customer
  - 08 Apr 2011 at 20:42
- - 0
  - 0
  a gripping tale of who dunnit
  
  richard is a slick lawyer who is defending a man with learning problems or who pretends to be he has to show the jury that there is mitigating circumstances as ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 970657
- - a customer
  - London
  - 06 Mar 2011 at 22:00
- - 0
  - 0
  Primal Fear
  
  Wonderful, fantastic, great, absolutely amazing film and had me sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time.
  
  Edward Norton's acting is nothing ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 948126
- - recycledstardust
  - 13 reviews
  - Scotland
  - 20 Dec 2010 at 16:13
View all members' reviews (58)

- - 18
  - 2
  I have seen this film ...
  
  I have seen this film before but never tire of seeing it again. Superb performances from Richard Gere, Laura Linney and especially Edward Norton who, in my ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 25977
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Jan#4
  - SUTTON COLDFIELD
  - 03 Dec 2003 at 00:11
- - 5
  - 0
  Classic
  
  Edward Norton's acting performance is one of the best I have seen. Storyline is excellent with Richard Gere being at usual high standard. A must.
  
  Report this review
- 270067
- - Tara Thomas
  - uk
  - 01 Aug 2006 at 09:58
- - 5
  - 1
  Scary!
  
  A very clever twist at the end and I mean right at the end! We enjoyed this one, scary to think that this could happen one day!
  
  Report this review
- 330419
- - Andys5
  - Gloucestershire
  - 10 Apr 2005 at 18:40
- - 4
  - 0
  Not what it seems
  
  If you like films with a twist you'll love this. Richard Gere and Edward Norton are very convincing. A stylish suspenseful thriller.
  
  Report this review
- 334414
- - camy
  - 75 reviews
  - Cambridge
  - 12 May 2005 at 15:15
- - 3
  - 1
  Strange
  
  Took a while to get going but what a good film excellent twist in the film well worth a watch.
  
  Report this review
- 212143
- - Sarah Watson
  - Lancashire
  - 27 Feb 2006 at 18:43
- - 1
  - 0
  Accomplished and well ...
  
  Accomplished and well written courtroom drama which I thoroughly enjoyed and would heartily recommend. Gere is excellent as the cynical yet somehow still ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 47707
- - Kevin#146
  - ANDOVER
  - 23 Sep 2004 at 23:24
- - 1
  - 0
  Excellent Film
  
  Another great performance by Gere, the film kept you on the edge a must see film,With a spooky ending Watched it twice would recommend.
  
  Report this review
- 109628
- - a customer
  - Reading,Berkshire
  - 01 Jun 2005 at 17:51
- - 1
  - 0
  Primal Fear
  
  Brilliant!! A great film to watch!! If you like a good story this one is for you!! Very good acting all round too! I loved the ending!!! Very cleverly made!!!
  
  Report this review
- 910322
- - cbee
  - 98 reviews
  - Didcot
  - 01 Aug 2010 at 09:25
- - 1
  - 0
  Courtroom cleverness
  
  Richard Gere is great as a rather egotistical hot-shot defense lawyer who loves the limelight. He seems more interested in getting his face on the front of ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 918965
- - a customer
  - Dorset
  - 29 Aug 2010 at 12:46
- - 0
  - 0
  Brilliant!
  
  Don't miss Ed Norton's perfomance
  
  Report this review
- 1891
- - a customer
  - UK
  - 15 Feb 2004 at 12:19

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Critics' reviews
- An implausible thriller with a twist at its end, but one that diminishes all that has gone before, so that an audience is more likely to feel cheated than surprised.
- 30991
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:41
- "...Gere's showy yet mature performance holds the movie together....PRIMAL is the most riveting courtroom drama since 1982's THE VERDICT..." -- Rating: B+
- 9099
- - Entertainment Weekly
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- Suave, womanising top Chicago attorney Martin Vail (Gere) is arrogant enough to demand the cover for any magazine... read more on Time Out
- 44185
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:14
- "...Well-crafted....Linney is excellent....Hoblit's direction is ultra-attentive to story points..."
- 9102
- - Variety
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- "...Taut thriller....[Norton gives a] hypnotic performance..."
- 9100
- - Premiere
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- "...Richard Gere gives a focused performance..."
- 9101
- - USA Today
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Primal Fear
  
  Powerful, media-hungry Chicago defense attorney Martin Vail (Richard Gere) gets in over his head when he takes the case of an altar boy (Edward Norton making his film debut) accused of murdering an archbishop. His opponent for the prosecution is his former protege and lover Janet Venable (Laura ...