richard gere plays lawyer defending man who killed priest

by Shane Welch 7 min read

Martin Vail (Richard Gere) is a sleazy publicity-hound Chicago defense lawyer. Naomi Chance (Maura Tierney) is his assistant. Tommy Goodman (Andre Braugher) is his associate. He's eager to take on the case of altar boy Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton) charged with killing Archbishop Rushman.

Gere. He earned critical praise for Primal Fear (1996), a courtroom drama in which he starred as an attorney who defends an altar boy (played by Edward Norton) accused of murdering a prominent priest, and in 1999 he reteamed with Roberts in the lighthearted comedy Runaway Bride.

Full Answer

Did an altar boy murder a priest?

Gere plays hotshot lawyer Martin Vail (can you think of anyone more perfect?) who takes a pro bono case against a shy young man, Aaron (Norton), when he's accused of killing a prominent Chicago cardinal, Cardinal Rushman (Stanley Anderson). Aaron is seen running from the scene and when he's apprehended, he's covered in the victim's blood.

Who is Richard Gere's Primal Fear?

Primal Fear is a 1996 American legal thriller film directed by Gregory Hoblit and written by Steve Shagan and Ann Biderman, based on William Diehl's 1993 novel of the same name.The film stars Richard Gere, Laura Linney, John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard, Frances McDormand, and Edward Norton in his film debut. It revolves around a Chicago defense attorney who believes that his …

Who is Richard Gere's lawyer in'the client'?

Richard Gere is tasked with defending an alter boy accused of murdering a beloved Chicago priest. Gere is the flamboyant win at all costs, anything to get client off who meets his match in the Edward Norton character.

Was there a third person in the room when Aaron killed the priest?

Summaries. An altar boy is accused of murdering a priest, and the truth is buried several layers deep. When a young man, Aaron, is charged with the horrific murder of Archbishop Rushman, hot-shot Chicago lawyer Martin Vail takes on his defense at no charge. Aaron was a homeless street kid before he was taken in by the Archbishop.

See more

Apr 05, 1996 · “Primal Fear,” based on a novel by William Diehl, stars Richard Gere as a flamboyant Chicago defense attorney who chases defendants instead of ambulances and volunteers his services when a teenager from Kentucky is charged with murdering an archbishop.

Is Primal Fear a true story?

'Primal Fear' (1996) So as not to spoil the fun if you've never seen it, I'll just say that “Primal Fear” has much in common with “True Story.” Edward Norton is Aaron, a slightly superannuated altar boy accused of murdering a Chicago archbishop, and “losing time” is how Aaron describes his mental lapses.Apr 16, 2015

How did Edward Norton make his money?

What is Edward Norton's Net Worth? Edward Norton is an American actor and producer who has a net worth of $300 million dollars. He has also earned a small fortune outside of acting, arguably more than from acting salary, thanks to extremely wise (and early) technology investments.

Who is John Shaughnessy in Primal Fear?

John MahoneyPrimal Fear (1996) - John Mahoney as Shaughnessy - IMDb.

Who is Primal Fear based on?

William DiehlPrimal Fear (film)Primal FearScreenplay bySteve Shagan Ann BidermanBased onPrimal Fear by William DiehlProduced byGary Lucchesi Howard W. Koch, Jr.StarringRichard Gere Laura Linney John Mahoney Alfre Woodard Frances McDormand Edward Norton13 more rows

Is Adam Sandler the richest actor?

As of 2022, Adam Sandler's net worth is estimated to be $420 million. Adam Sandler is an American producer, comedian, director, and actor from Brooklyn. Sandler is best known from the films 'Punch-Drunk Love' and 'The Wedding Singer'....Net Worth:$420 MillionLast Updated:20214 more rows•Mar 31, 2022

Why is Ed Norton so wealthy?

American actor and producer Edward Norton has impressively amassed a net worth of $300 million. Aside from his wealth earned from acting and producing, he has investments in technology which he had invested on even before the boom of the internet which was an extremely wise decision.Mar 8, 2022

Did Primal Fear win any awards?

Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion PictureLos Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting ActorBoston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting ActorPrimal Fear/Awards

How old was Edward Norton in the movie Primal Fear?

26Norton, 26, is receiving stellar reviews for his pivotal supporting role as altar boy/murder suspect Aaron Stampler in the Richard Gere legal thriller “Primal Fear.” Some in the industry are even comparing Norton's introduction on the big screen to Dustin Hoffman's breakthrough role in “The Graduate.”Apr 16, 1996

Who played Michael O'Donnell Primal Fear?

Terry O'QuinnTerry O'Quinn in 2008.BornTerrance Quinn July 15, 1952 Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, U.S.OccupationActorYears active1980–present2 more rows

How tall is Richard Gere?

5′ 11″Richard Gere / Height

Why did Leonardo DiCaprio turn down Primal Fear?

Leonardo DiCaprio was the producer's original choice for Aaron/Roy, but he ultimately turned it down. Leonardo DiCaprio turned down the role of Aaron Stampler because he was exhausted from a demanding shooting schedule on What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993).

What is Richard Gere up to?

In 2017, the Pretty Woman star appeared in two small-budget films Norman and The Dinner and in 2019 he landed his first major TV role on the BBC show MotherFatherSon. Outside of acting, Gere has kept himself busy as a father to three children.Jun 4, 2020

Why was Venable fired from the trial?

Venable is fired for losing the case, and for allowing Rushman’s crimes to be publicly exposed. Vail visits Stampler in his cell to tell him of the dismissal.

Who was the girl in the VHS tape of the Archbishop?

Following a tip from a former altar boy about a videotape involving Stampler, Vail makes a search of the Archbishop's apartment and finds a VHS tape shot by Rushman that shows Stampler being sexually abused with another teenage altar boy and a teenage girl named Linda Forbes.

What does Stampler say when Vail confronts him?

When Vail confronts him, Stampler reveals that he had faked the personality disorder. No longer stuttering, he brags about having murdered Rushman, as well as Linda, his girlfriend. When Vail asks if there ever was a "Roy", Stampler replies that "there never was an 'Aaron.'".

What does Stampler say to Miss Venable?

However, as Vail is leaving, Stampler asks him to "tell Miss Venable I hope her neck is okay", which he could not have been able to remember if he had "lost time.".

Why does Vail not want to hear this?

Vail does not want to hear this, because he knows that he cannot enter an insanity plea during an ongoing trial.

How much did Primal Fear make?

Box office. $102.6 million. Primal Fear is a 1996 American legal thriller film directed by Gregory Hoblit, based on William Diehl 's 1993 novel of the same name. It stars Richard Gere as a Chicago defense attorney who believes that his altar boy client (played by Edward Norton in his film debut) is not guilty of murdering an influential Catholic ...

How old is Aaron Stampler?

One day he sees a news report about the arrest of Aaron Stampler, a 19-year-old altar boy from Kentucky with a severe stutter, who is accused of brutally murdering the beloved Archbishop Rushman. Vail jumps at the chance to represent the young man, pro bono.

What is Richard Gere's best film?

Jones ,” he shows what an interesting actor he can be. “Primal Fear” contains some of his best work. Thriller. Suspense.

Who is the lawyer in the book "Primal Fear"?

Richard Gere and Edward Norton in "Primal Fear.". Once it was cops who solved crimes. Then private eyes. In the Grisham era, it has been lawyers. “Primal Fear,” based on a novel by William Diehl, stars Richard Gere as a flamboyant Chicago defense attorney who chases defendants instead of ambulances and volunteers his services when a teenager ...

Who played Aaron Stampler in The Archbishop?

The archbishop is murdered in a grisly scene, and the suspect, Aaron Stampler ( Edward Norton ), is captured a short time later, after a foot chase with police that is telecast live.

Who is the butcher boy?

Edward Norton, as the “Butcher Boy,” creates a character that is, as you will see, completely convincing in more ways than one. Advertisement. The best crime movies and novels are not about who did it, or why. They are about how the characters feel about what happened.

Who wrote the screenplay for the movie "Primal Fear"?

The screenplay for “Primal Fear,” by Steve Shagan and Ann Biderman, knows that and uses the labyrinthine plot details as backdrop to issues of the identity. Because this movie has a commercial destiny, of course the crime is sensational and the revelations are startling.

Who recalled Richard Gere fighting for Primal Fear?

Edward Norton Recalls Richard Gere Fighting For Primal Fear’s Ending. The following contains spoilers for Primal Fear. If you somehow haven't seen it yet, you owe it to yourself to go fix that right now. Edward Norton made his film debut in 1996's Primal Fear and oh, what a debut it was. Norton Received an Academy Award nomination ...

Who plays Aaron in Primal Fear?

In Primal Fear, Richard Gere plays an attorney named Martin Veil who is defending Edward Norton's character, Aaron, from a murder charge. The story reveals that Aaron suffers from dissociative identity disorder, and his body houses a second personality, Roy, who was the one technically guilty of the crime. In the end, Aaron is found not guilty, but ...

Who is the actor in Motherless Brooklyn?

Our own Reelblend Podcast had a chance to sit down with Edward Norton, the star and director of the new film Motherless Brooklyn, and the topic of Norton's first big role came up. The actor says he was greatly impressed by Richard Gere while making the movie, because of his willingness to stand up for the ending of a movie where Gere's own ...

What was Edward Norton's first movie?

Edward Norton made his film debut in 1996's Primal Fear and oh , what a debut it was. Norton Received an Academy Award nomination for his role as a man accused of murdering a priest. Norton's performance is incredibly powerful, and a large part of that comes from the film's impressive finale.

Who is Richard Gere?

In this film, Richard Gere stars as a lawyer who's defending a young man on trial for killing a priest. At first, Gere's character thinks his client is innocent, but all that quickly changes. In fact, he's in way too deep, and he must figure out a way to get out of this mess without compromising his job as a lawyer.

Who plays the detective in the movie Seven Deadly Sins?

Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman play detectives on the hunt for a killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his MO. This film is graphic and has a heartbreaking conclusion. But if one can stomach it, it's pretty fascinating as well.

What happens when a hunter stumbles upon the remains of a drug deal gone bad?

When a hunter stumbles upon the remains of a drug deal gone bad, $2 million and several dead bodies included, he decides to take the money and run. He is soon found out by a bloodthirsty killer who is after the money, and the hunter must do everything he can to stay alive.

Who plays the ballerina in Swan Lake?

Natalie Portman plays a ballerina who's absolutely obsessed with her craft in this thriller. She finds herself in competition for the lead in Swan Lake with another dancer ( Mila Kunis ). As we watch the unraveling of Portman's character, the lines of reality are significantly blurred. Both actresses are phenomenal in their roles.

Who is Travis Bickle?

In this film, Travis Bickle is a Marine veteran that is hell-bent on saving the world -- or at the very least, New York City -- from the dark and corrupt place he believes it has become. Of course, he's mentally unstable and talks to himself in the mirror. It was the role that catapulted Robert DeNiro into superstardom.

Who are the actors in the Usual Suspects?

This star-studded cast includes Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Stephen Baldwin, and Benicio Del Toro. The Usual Suspects tells the story of five men who engage in a gun battle and the lone survivor. Of course nothing is what it seems; we never know who is telling the truth. Turns out this is one big revenge job plotted by a criminal mastermind.

Who played the cartoonist in the movie Zodiac?

In Zodiac, a cartoonist and a journalist, played by Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr. , become friends as they share a mutual interest in the Zodiac killer, who is terrorizing San Fransisco. Together, they work toward catching the killer and discover a cover-up along the way.