What a debut by Edward Norton!! It’s a pity he hasn’t won an Oscar yet but then I care a damn about those awards! ‘Primal Fear’ is a crime thriller which involves a lot of drama as well, most of it revolving around Norton.
The movie starts with the murder of an Archbishop. Aaron Stampler (Norton), one of the altar boys is accused of the murder. There is very strong evidence against him but he claims to have ‘lost time’ while a third person murdered the priest. Martin Vail (Richard Gere), a very famous defense attorney comes to the defense of Stampler. Stampler’s claim that there was a third person in the room is disputed as there is no proof of anyone else being there apart from him and the priest. However, later on it is found out that there was actually a third person present who committed the murder. The question about the identity of this person constitutes the central plot of the movie. When the identity is revealed you are in for a big shock!
There are some insignificant sub plots which I am not going to go into. The film may be a bit slow at times but it is worth watching just for Norton’s acting and the plot twists that take place. I love twist endings and this one surely has a real good one in the end. It is towards the end that you realise how good Norton has been in the movie.
I can go on writing about the movie giving away all the important plots and events but then I will end up spoiling it for you. Go and check it out for yourself!
The movie starts with the murder of an Archbishop. Aaron Stampler (Norton), one of the altar boys is accused of the murder. There is very strong evidence against him but he claims to have ‘lost time’ while a third person murdered the priest. Martin Vail (Richard Gere), a very famous defense attorney comes to the defense of Stampler. Stampler’s claim that there was a third person in the room is disputed as there is no proof of anyone else being there apart from him and the priest. However, later on it is found out that there was actually a third person present who committed the murder. The question about the identity of this person constitutes the central plot of the movie. When the identity is revealed you are in for a big shock!
There are some insignificant sub plots which I am not going to go into. The film may be a bit slow at times but it is worth watching just for Norton’s acting and the plot twists that take place. I love twist endings and this one surely has a real good one in the end. It is towards the end that you realise how good Norton has been in the movie.
I can go on writing about the movie giving away all the important plots and events but then I will end up spoiling it for you. Go and check it out for yourself!