I don't know how it happened, but I missed seeing a pretty iconic movie, especially for the mid-90s, Primitive Fear. But perhaps it’s even better that I watched it in 2014, as it was very funny and, at the same time, nice to plunge into the atmosphere of American cinema of the mid-90s. Of course, nostalgia throughout the viewing causes absolutely everything, from clothes and cars to young Richard Gere and Edward Norton. But if you put aside all the nostalgic emotions, it is worth noting that the movie turned out to be very even worth it.
Primitive Fear tells the story of the famous and successful Chicago lawyer Martin Weil, who, in order to strengthen his reputation, takes on the defense of a teenager accused of murdering an archbishop. For many, the case seems solved, but Vale “digs” more and more details.
First of all, I want to mention the acting of Edward Norton. I was personally very impressed by the images he created on the screen, but we should not forget this debut role of Edward. And in this film we have the opportunity to witness the birth of one of the most successful and popular actors of the next decade. Of course, one should not underestimate the merits of Richard Gere, who at that time experienced his “golden years” in American cinema. As for the plot, it is sustained in the best traditions of thrillers of the 90s and keeps the viewer in tension and curiosity from the very beginning until the final denouement. I think that “Primitive Fear” rightfully took its own niche in the collections of fans of the genre.
The film revolves around the murder of an archbishop. Aaron Stampler's blood is on the suspect's hands, but he doesn't remember it. He saw someone's shadow.
This case is taken by one of the most influential lawyers - Marty Vale, he does not care whether the defendant is guilty or not, his task is to protect.
Aaron Stampler is a harmless orphan, in childhood his father treated him badly, replaced his parents with an archbishop, and the church - a home.
Something must have encouraged the boy to commit such a heinous crime. In the course of the plot, it turns out that the motive appears, but Aaron denies that anything could serve as a motive for such a murder, the Archbishop is still like a father to him, he is a good person.
Now Marty clings to any details, Marty doesn't believe Aaron killed. He is looking for the third person.
The interchange shocked me so much that I sat in front of the screen with my mouth open for another ten minutes. Norton, despite the fact that this debut film was so great, so strong was his performance.
The film keeps all screen time in suspense, I was expecting the capture of the third person, and he was so close.
The picture is worth watching for the sake of this tension, for the sake of Richard Gere, for the young and delightful Norton. I would recommend it to anyone who really likes great movies and stunning endings.
10 out of 10
So play a modest stuttering orphan boy, a victim of harassment, a kind of innocent chick ... he wants to press and protect. But what do we see then? the gaze, the aggression - what a transformation, what an acting talent! Just Bravo! Norton-mega talent! I always remember that look, even though I first watched Primitive Fear 10 years ago. Today I revisited it for the second time with great pleasure.
It was interesting to see Terry O'Quinna (Lost's Locke) here.
I’m not a fan of Richard Gere, but he’s done a great job here: a successful, contented lawyer. And at the end of the film, his character also underwent changes - he was no longer able to go out to the waiting crowd to enjoy the success.
Also interesting is the image of Janet - the prosecutor in this case - who was laughing, but still lost.
The movie is beautiful, you won’t regret it! It's not a regular investigative film, Norton will surprise you. As for my assessment, delight!
10 out of 10
“Primitive Fear” is more of a show, a kind of master class, a textbook that the author needs to read before embarking on the implementation of his own project in this genre (read as a federal law or code). Here we see an example of a high-quality acting game, bordering on almost impeccability, as well as the correct staging from the point of view of the genre, when director Gregory Hoblit knows exactly how to build a storyline on the basis of the novel by William Deal, and what buttons to press, figuratively speaking.
This picture is useful for future lawyers, as well as all people who have connected their lives, one way or another, with law. Of course, anyone will be compared to the character of Richard Gere only knows almost nothing in specifics, but the example of professional activity will not be superfluous. Martin Vale radiates confidence, the directness of his posture flaunts on popular magazines, each of his gestures speaks of a huge experience behind his shoulders, and in the success of defending any suspect speech can not go.
On all sides, there are constant questions about money, about how a lawyer is able to protect possible murderers, rapists, bloodthirsty maniacs, and on something Martin has to reasonably use counterattack tactics, making arguments, although for a long time there has been no power to argue. So, one day, feeling, apparently, some inner push, Vale makes a significant step, taking without any fees for a very confusing case, where the injured boy claims, tearfully swearing that he, they say, did not kill the bishop, could not do it.
And it is impossible to believe it, but Edward Norton in the role of a poor suspect, a boy from the church choir, being an actual debutant in a big movie, looks more convincing than many hard-working representatives of the profession, at some points completely outplaying his neighbor Richard Gere. The ability to change in the face, reincarnate, one of his glances directly in the direction of the viewer makes you feel the situation in which the character Aaron got. It would seem that an ordinary modest guy complaining of headaches and blurred consciousness, but not as simple as it may seem.
Gregory Hoblit got a high-quality court drama, where in addition to the actual process there is a confrontation between the two main characters, where often (here purely subjectively) acting youth takes precedence over acting experience. Although, we must pay tribute to Gere, in place of which it is difficult to imagine anyone else. By itself, the film with the help of its detective line will not allow the viewer to quickly solve everything for himself, giving the opportunity to solve a small puzzle, as well as feel genuine tension.
Is it possible to believe a man who was caught beside a brutally murdered priest in blood trying to escape? Probably not, but anything can happen.
Someone believes, and someone does not, and the most beautiful thing is that the viewer has to choose whose side he is on, changing his opinion several times due to newly identified circumstances.
If you like mystery, this movie is for you. True, from my point of view, if the mystery had not been solved at the end, it would have been more interesting, there would have been a reason to think and reason about the correctness of the court decision.
The actors are good, although when starring Richard Gere and Edward Norton it is clear by default.
Why is the review not positive? Because I’m definitely not going to watch this movie again, I’m not going to go into the details of this story, I’m not going to remember it when someone asks '. 39;
“But it may be so – you miss the moment when I will become dangerous – Don’t go beyond the line, don’t go beyond the line, don’t go beyond the line.”
I first saw this movie when I was a teenager. It stuck in the soul, but was found and revised only a decade later. Now I am very sensitive to the quality of dubbing and pictures, but that first time - it was not even dubbing, but some kind of back-to-back voiceover. And — oh, great power of art! — I forgot about it five minutes into the movie: so captivated the plot, the acting. Now I have a license disk and I literally savor every frame.
I can’t even imagine how you can tell about this movie without destroying the intrigue, and there are a lot of them here: raisins sit on raisins and chase raisins. Two main plot lines: lawyer - defendant, lawyer - prosecutor. Acting is beyond praise! Especially when you consider that this is Edward Norton’s debut role. Until the end, the film is based on his talent. Funny that Natalie Portman for the “Black Swan” “Oscar” was awarded (and deservedly!), and Norton for “Primitive Fear” – bypassed. I understand, though. That year was very productive for cool films, it is difficult to compete with “The English Patient”, “Spleen” and “Jerry Maguire”.
What to say about Richard Gere and his hero. I have never been impressed with his acting skills. In my opinion, he takes more human charm, squint eyes, than outstanding ability. I respect my roles in American Gigolo and Cotton Club. But here his lawyer is inimitable. A flexible conscience, fox cunning, moderately greedy, popular and ambitious - can afford to take a losing case and prove that black is actually white. In general, a person is used to manipulating people and is pre-set for success.
Laura Linney as the prosecutor. That's whose talent I've never doubted! Another great role on the track record. The confrontation between the prosecutor and the lawyer is aggravated by the fact that they are former lovers and, therefore, it is not only professional, but also personal. The lady is offended and longs for revenge at least in the judicial field.
In general, in this film - everyone in his place and no unnecessary movement. In general, up to a certain point, the plot moves quite predictably, which, however, does not detract from the interest of the viewer. It seems that the director deliberately puts down his guard. The finale is grand, in my opinion. There are no winners or defeated heroes. Treachery triumphs, destroys lives, victory turns into defeat. I always said that in some cases, happy ending would be unnatural.
Special thanks to Francis McDormand who flashed on the screen. I never get tired of loving this actress. Thank you for the pleasure of watching!
“Primitive Fear” by Gregory Hoblit is one of the best thrillers of the 90s, which stands on a par with “Silence of the Lambs” and “Basic Instinct”. The picture, released in 1996, became a surprise of the season and literally immediately gained cult status for a number of important reasons.
1. Acting. Edward Norton, who debuted this picture in Hollywood, played the mysterious Aaron Stamler so that he eclipsed the experienced Richard Gere, who played quite traditionally, Laura Linney and Frances McDormand. In fact, the film can only be seen for the sake of its hero.
2. Directing. For Gregory Hoblit, this film also became a debut in a big movie (before that, Hoblit worked on TV), but the director was able to shoot a real, almost Hitchcockian thriller that can hold the viewer even in not very interesting moments (however, they are not in this film).
3. Screenplay. Such a development of events and such a shocking finale, after which there is a terrible aftertaste, the viewer will never be able to predict. The script, based on the novel by William Deal, should rightfully bear the title of one of the best in the history of Hollywood. In this film, you can not miss a moment as every detail in it is important.
“Primitive Fear” is a thriller that every lover of this genre should watch, because you will never forget this tape.
10 out of 10
Grisham is considered the discoverer and king of the legal thriller, but watching it is much more enjoyable than reading, especially for The Client, The Benefactor and The Firm, but William Deal, the author of Primitive Fear, is even better in print than Grisham. His novel, in itself, is first-class fiction, and on film he "lie down" wonderfully.
Most of the film naturally takes place in court, and the dynamics, the whirlwind of the dialogue and the tension rightly forced to avoid “A few good guys” and “Time to kill”, which I consider almost a benchmark in this regard. Gere's character confesses, "Why play roulette in Vegas when you can play with human lives?" and this phrase is better than any other characterizes the hype, excitement, ruthlessness of war in the courts. This is a war, a real, heated battle between the defender and the prosecutor, and at stake is not money, not prestige, but the fate and future of the accused.
Watching such a fight is much more interesting than a real battle on the battlefields, it is cooler, because intelligence, logic, speed of reaction and eloquence are the very weapons that not many people have, and accurately, professionally use them much more difficult than a machine gun or a knife. The soil is fertile, and there are both wonderful thrillers and comedies like Liar, Liar and My Cousin Vinnie.
The set-up, the intrigue, the story-telling, and the story as such in Primitive Fear are just brilliance, but that would be only half the case without the great, solid, vibrant characters and actors who played them. The heroine of Laura Linney in any case can not be perceived as furniture, as an appendage or addition to the plot or Geru, this is a full-fledged, strong, complex female image, and the actress herself is a master, pro and artist, which are few. Her roles, albeit not the most numerous and loud, are valuable as the characters of Meryl Streep, she plays real life, real people, and plays without falsehood, without incorrectly taken chords, and the accuracy of her performance is comparable to the technique of a brilliant pianist.
Norton, a diamond without a cut, was deservedly nominated for an Oscar, it makes no sense to comment on his work, and Gere, in my deep conviction, played his best role. Sluggish in most of his films, he did not arouse sympathy in me, and even “Pretty Woman”, in my opinion, is a typical nonsense, which is impossible to watch without a grimace. His films are mostly junk, not least because of the actor himself, and for me personally, he is only edible in The First Knight and Primitive Fear.
Bottom line: Deal wrote a great novel, watching a movie based on it is a pleasure. One of the best legal thrillers, for which everyone gets the highest score, starting with the director, and ending with the most recent extras gallery in the courtroom. “Primitive Fear” is a rare case when even the most unremarkable and secondary characters turned out to be original and memorable, and the actors who played them, all, to the last, showed enthusiasm and diligence. I’ve seen this movie more than once, not twice.
10 out of 10