Arrogant, brilliant and successful criminal defense attorney Martin Vail loves a good fight and the media spotlight, both of which he knowingly invites when he volunteers to represent a penniless, bewildered altar boy accused of murdering the local archbishop.
The defendant's guilt seems as evident as the blood found splattered on his clothes. But Vail doesn't concern himself with questions of guilt or innocence. All he cares about is creating and selling his version of the truth.
As his involvement with his client deepens, however, Vail's consuming need to win, his antagonism toward his former boss in the prosecutor's office, his complicated relationship with his former lover who is the prosecutor in this case, and his unexpected feelings for his client, combine to blind him to the trap awaiting him...
Ive seen this film over and over....I absolutely love it... Just read the book and want to watch it again but this time i want to own it!!! Brilliant film...the man is sooooo innocent....but is he?? Characters are brilliant and Richard Gere is (as usual) excellent as the lawyer and as for Edward Norton....Bravo!...What an actor!!!! For anyone who loves the film...read the book...Primal Fear by William Diehl..and then watch the film again! Just one word...FANTASTIC!!!!!
A very good screen play allied to great directing bring this fairly simple story to life: vulnerable boy accused of murdering a priest, and celebrity hungry lawyer defending him. Both Norton and Gere in those respective roles are quite exceptional. Although I'm not a great Gere fan, I have to say that he brings out the complexity of his character with aplomb, leaving you feeling both sympathy and dislike almost simultaneously. Edward Norton's acting however is on another level, and so real does he make his character that you feel part of the movie whenever his in scene. This was Norton's film debut, and it is quite easy to see why he has since been hailed as the 'actor of his generation.'
I'm not a massive richard gere fan as this film was only brought to add to my girlfrinds colllection. After watching it though i was quite surprised how good it was especially with the performance od edward norton. A few cliches from the second oldest sex symbol ( 1st is Mr Connery ) but on the whole a good thriller.